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 given process diagram illustrates the seven-step procedure for rain-shadow desert formation with the help of mountains.

Overall, the formation is divided in linear seven sequential stages, that begins with wind approaches coast from sea level and ends with drying moisture wind reaching near inland portion, with the completion of this process rain-shadow desert is formed.

Initially, the wind approaches coast, it move further, this wind forced towards mountain from sea level in upward direction. After that, moist cool air rises at high altitude near windward side as a result, cloud formation occurs.

Subsequently, this cloud goes upward on a peak level and rainfalls will begin. However, dry air constantly circulating above the mountain and goes down towards the leeward side. On other side, the dry air reached at inland areas on the same level as sea. For the creation of this desert an area of thousands of kilometers was covered.

As a result, rain-shadow desert was formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the visual data by outlining the main stages of rain-shadow desert formation, from winds approaching the coast to the creation of the desert over thousands of kilometres. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the sequential nature of the process. While some descriptions, such as 'moind cool air rises' and 'cloud goes upward on a peak level', are a bit simplistic, the response accurately reports the key features shown in the diagram. The main steps are appropriately selected and reported, meeting the expectations for a Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression through the stages of the diagram. Paragraphing is utilised to separate the introduction, overview, and body steps, although the paragraphing is somewhat fragmented towards the end with very short paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After that', 'Subsequently', and 'As a result' are used to connect ideas, though some referencing and linking feels a bit mechanical or repetitive. Overall, logical flow is maintained throughout, ensuring the reader can easily follow the sequence of events.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'sequential stages', 'altitude', 'windward side', and 'leeward side'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'wind approaches coast, it move further, this wind forced towards mountain', and 'drying moisture wind'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but phrasing often lacks precision and natural collocation, placing this performance firmly in the band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several run-on sentences and punctuation errors, such as comma splices in 'Overall, the formation is divided in linear seven sequential stages, that begins with...' and 'Initially, the wind approaches coast, it move further...'. Subject-verb agreement and tense consistency also present issues, such as 'wind approaches coast, it move further' and 'dry air reached at inland areas'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score.

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

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