Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The formation of rain-shadow deserts

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The diagram illustrates how one type of desert, known as the rain desert, is formed as a result of the movement of moist air.

Overall, the process involves seven steps, starting with winds rising from the sea and approaching the coast, which in turn pushes the winds upwards and makes it moist. The moist air cools and forms clouds that cause rain to fall on the windward side of the mountains. Then air becomes dry and continues over the mountains and descends on the leeward side of the mountains where it reaches the inland areas and as a result rain shadow desert develops.

Initially, the winds move with the coast and are forced to push upwards, where moist air cools down, and clouds are formed over there. Then rainfall starts to fall on windward side of the mountains. While the remaining air after rainfall continues to move toward lwwward side of the mountains.

After rain fall, air lose much iof its moisture and gets dry. It continues to desecnd upon the inland or dry araes whch receive no or little rain and here it formes a rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram, covering the sequence from winds approaching the coast to the creation of the desert inland. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the seven-step process. However, there are minor inaccuracies in reporting the details, such as stating that winds pushed upwards 'makes it moist' when the diagram indicates moist air rises and cools. Ideas are generally well-supported and clear, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall progression, moving logically from the initial stages near the sea through the mountain range to the inland desert. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Then', and 'After rain fall' are used to structure the text, although some paragraphing is slightly repetitive and mechanical. For example, paragraphs three and four cover overlapping ground regarding the rainfall and subsequent dry air. Referencing is mostly clear, though occasional awkward transitions occur.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'descends'. However, there are several spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'lwwward', 'ifiof' (typed as 'iof'), 'desecnd', 'araes', and 'formes'. These errors occasionally draw attention, but they do not impede overall communication. The range is sufficient to convey the process accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The diagram illustrates how one type of desert... is formed as a result of the movement of moist air.' There are frequent grammatical and mechanical errors, including missing articles ('rain shadow desert develops'), subject-verb agreement issues ('air lose much iof its moisture'), and spelling mistakes. Despite these frequent errors, the majority of sentences are understandable, placing the response firmly in Band 6.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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