Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-27

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 provided process illustrates the formation of one type of desert known as a rain-shadow desert in the mountains. The given methods demostrate how the rain-shadow desert is formed step by step.

In an overview, at the starting point the winds approach the coast from the surface of sea, whereas the dry winds reach the inland areas at the final. In addition, other remaining points shows the overall process over the mountains.

At first, the winds approached the coast from surface of the sea, and then pushed upwards from the base of the mountain. Then, the moist air rised and cooled at windward side, and continuously it formed into clouds.

At the peak of the mountain, the rain fell down, and then dry air continues fell through leeward side over mountains. At last, the dry winds reached the surface of inland area and formed rain shadow desert. In the overall process, it travelled around thousands of kilometres distance.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response successfully covers all the key stages of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram, from winds approaching the coast from the sea to dry winds reaching inland areas over thousands of kilometres. The student attempts an overview in the second paragraph, stating the starting and ending points, which satisfies the requirement to present main trends or features. However, the overview is somewhat brief and awkwardly phrased («other remaining points shows»). While all main stages are identified, some descriptions lack precision, such as stating that rain falls at the peak of the mountain rather than over the windward slope. Nevertheless, the core information of the diagram is communicated adequately, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text has a coherent overall arrangement, divided into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the process. Cohesive devices are used to sequence the stages chronologically, such as «At first», «and then», and «At last». However, referencing and paragraphing could be improved. The second paragraph is labelled as an overview, but the second sentence («In addition, other remaining points shows the overall process over the mountains») is weak and mechanical. Furthermore, cohesive links between sentences occasionally feel repetitive. Paragraphing is present but somewhat disjointed. This meets the criteria for Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a natural process, including terms like «process», «winds», «coast», «moist air», «clouds», «mountain», and «leeward side». However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors, such as «demostrate» instead of 'demonstrate', «rised» instead of 'rose', and the awkward phrase «continues fell». Less common lexical items are attempted but often inaccurate. Vocabulary choice is minimally adequate for the task, resulting in a score of 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as subordinate clauses («whereas the dry winds reach...»). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in tense consistency and verb forms. Examples include «the winds approached» (shifting past tense in a present process description), «dry air continues fell», and subject-verb agreement issues like «other remaining points shows». Punctuation is generally acceptable, but grammatical errors require some effort from the reader to parse, placing this performance at a Band 5.0.

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