Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-26
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 depicts how one kind of desert which is named as a rain-shadow desert, came into existence. The process traces with the approach of winds on coastal areas and winds are pushed upwards the mountain and ends with when dry winds reach inland areas and rain-shadow desert is formed.
Overall, the formation of rain-shadow desert is a multiple step sequence as this is a seven step process. The initial stages include when winds reach at coast line of sea. The final steps are when dry winds reach inlnd areas and rain-shadow desertrts came into existence.
The procedure starts with when winds approach the coastal area of a sea, then winds are pushed upwards a mountain. Afterwards, air is moisted and cooled and clouds are formed. After this, rain is fallen over a mountian. This is the middle step.
Then dry air continued over mountian and it fell down. Afterwards, dry winds reach inland areas. In the final step rain-shadow desert came into existence. There is thousands of kilometres distance between sea coastal area and rain-shadow desert.
The diagram depicts how one kind of desert which is named as a rain-shadow desert, came into existence. The process traces with the approach of winds on coastal areas and winds are pushed upwards the mountain and ends with when dry winds reach inland areas and rain-shadow desert is formed. Overall, the formation of rain-shadow desert is a multiple step sequence as this is a seven step process. The initial stages include when winds reach at coast line of sea. The final steps are when dry winds reach inlnd areas and rain-shadow desertrts came into existence. The procedure starts with when winds approach the coastal area of a sea, then winds are pushed upwards a mountain. Afterwards, air is moisted and cooled and clouds are formed. After this, rain is fallen over a mountian. This is the middle step. Then dry air continued over mountian and it fell down. Afterwards, dry winds reach inland areas. In the final step rain-shadow desert came into existence. There is thousands of kilometres distance between sea coastal area and rain-shadow desert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The candidate has satisfactorily addressed all parts of the task by summarising the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. The overview correctly identifies that this is a seven-step sequential process involving coastal winds, mountain ascent, cooling, precipitation, and dry inland air. Key stages are reported chronologically, and spatial relationships such as the distance between the sea and the inland desert are captured. However, the text suffers from a major flaw: the entire body of text and introduction are duplicated word-for-word at the end of the response. While the information itself is accurate and covers the diagram well, this excessive repetition prevents the response from achieving a higher band score. Nonetheless, all core features of the diagram are present.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression through the stages of the diagram. Paragraphing is attempted, although the duplication of paragraphs disrupts the structural flow. Cohesive devices such as 'The procedure starts with', 'Afterwards', 'After this', and 'In the final step' are used to connect ideas sequentially, though some of these links are somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of editorial control resulting in the repetition of the entire text detracts from the overall flow and organization of the essay.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting process-related terms such as 'coastal area', 'moisted and cooled', 'precipitation', and 'inland areas'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'rain is fallen' instead of 'rain falls', 'air is moisted' instead of 'moistened', and spelling mistakes like 'inlnd' and 'desertrts'. Less common lexical items are attempted but lack precision and natural control. Because the second half of the response is an exact duplicate of the first, the range of vocabulary appears more limited than it otherwise might be.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The candidate demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The process traces with the approach of winds on coastal areas and winds are pushed upwards...' and 'There is thousands of kilometres distance between...'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several structural and agreement errors, including 'There is thousands' (should be 'There are thousands'), 'rain is fallen' (passive voice misuse), and awkward phrasing like 'the process traces with'. Punctuation is basic, and the inclusion of the duplicated text introduces multiple recurring errors. Complex structures often contain awkward syntax or mechanical flaws.
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