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 given diagram renders data regarding the formation of a special type of desert known as rain-shadow desert.Overall, there are seven steps involved in the formation of rain-shadow desert starting from coming of winds near the coast and ending with the dry winds entering in the inland areas.
Looking into the details, firstly, when winds have reached near the coast, they are pushed upwards towards the windward side of the mountain. Subsequently, the air becomes moist, cool and rises which later help in the formation of clouds. At the top of the mountain which is thousands of kilometres away from the ground, rain falls.
Next, due to different reactions in rain, the moist air is converted into the dry air. Afterwards, dry waves of air move from the to the leeward side of the mountain. Lastly, these dry wind waves enter the inland areas and plays a significant role in the creation of rain-shadow desert.However, the most considerable fact is that wind has to cover thousands of kilometres to form this 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 student successfully summarises the main stages of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, covering the entire process from moist winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. An overview is provided in the second sentence, outlining the seven steps. Key spatial and sequential features are reported, such as the windward side, cloud formation, rainfall, and the leeward side. However, there are minor inaccuracies in interpreting the visual data; for example, stating that 'at the top of the mountain which is thousands of kilometres away from the ground' misinterprets the scale bar, which indicates horizontal distance rather than vertical height. Despite this minor misinterpretation, the overall response covers all key parts of the prompt well, earning a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged logically into three paragraphs: an introduction with an overview, a body paragraph detailing the initial stages, and a final paragraph covering the later stages and conclusion. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as 'firstly', 'subsequently', 'next', 'afterwards', and 'lastly'. However, referencing and transitions are occasionally mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'due to different reactions in rain' and 'move from the to the leeward side', which disrupts the natural flow. Paragraphing is adequate, but overall cohesion sits comfortably at a Band 6.0 due to these minor mechanical linkages and awkward transitions.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting less-common items such as 'subsequently', 'significant role', and 'considerable fact'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'coming of winds' instead of 'winds approaching', 'different reactions in rain', and missing a word in 'from the to the leeward side'. Some phrasing is unnatural or repetitive. While the lexical range allows the student to convey the main points clearly, these recurring word-choice errors limit the score to a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('desert known as rain-shadow desert') and temporal clauses ('when winds have reached near the coast'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, including missing articles ('known as rain-shadow desert', 'entering in the inland areas'), tense inconsistencies ('when winds have reached'), and preposition errors ('reaching in the inland areas'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, though there is a spacing error before 'Overall' in the first paragraph. These errors rarely impede communication, placing the grammar firmly at a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.