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 diagram contain information about the complete steps which take place in formation of rain shadow desert.
Overall, the formation is divided in linear seven sequential stages, that begins with approaches coast of sea winds, from sea level to top of the mountains, ends with dry air reaching towards inland portion, with the completion of this process rain-shadow desert is created.
Initially, the wind approaches coast starts travelling from sea surface & it push further in up direction by mountain. As the wind rises it gets cooldown and done some clouds formation. however, the upward momentum is still continue. This clouds loose the water contains by raining at pick of the mountain.
As the 5th step is complete, the air is now dry by loosing all the moisture in form of rain. This dry air turnover to mountains and begin with journey at leeward side. This second side of mountains is become the path for dry air. By following the mountains the air finished travelling at inland areas at other side of mountains.
As a result, rain-shadow desert is created.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all seven sequential stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, as outlined in the visual data. An overview is provided at the beginning, identifying the seven sequential stages and stating the final outcome. Key features—such as moist air rising, clouds forming, precipitation occurring on the windward side, and dry air descending on the leeward side to create a desert—are all reported accurately. However, there are some awkward phrasing choices and minor inaccuracies in the description of the steps (e.g., 'wind approaches coast starts travelling from sea surface & it push further in up direction'). Despite these minor stylistic issues, all parts of the task are adequately addressed, earning a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged into a logical paragraph structure, beginning with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs that roughly trace the stages of the diagram. Cohesive devices are attempted, such as 'Overall', 'Initially', and 'As a result', which help guide the reader through the text. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical (e.g., 'This second side of mountains is become the path...', 'As the 5th step is complete...'). Paragraphing could also be handled more effectively to group the logical steps of the process more cleanly. Overall progression is present, but the mechanical transitions place this firmly in the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, including topic-specific terms like 'moisture', 'leeward side', 'windward side', and 'inland areas'. However, there are frequent word choice and collocation errors (e.g., 'diagram contain information', 'approaches coast of sea winds', 'gets cooldown', 'done some clouds formation', 'loose the water contains'). The student attempts less common vocabulary but lacks precise control over word forms and parts of speech. While communication is not severely impeded, the accumulation of lexical inaccuracies prevents the score from reaching Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical accuracy is weak. There are numerous errors in tense usage, voice, and subject-verb agreement throughout the response (e.g., 'winds pushed upwards' is missed in the passive structures, writing 'it push further', 'momentum is still continue', 'This clouds loose', and 'is become'). Punctuation is basic, and sentence boundaries are sometimes handled awkwardly. Because these errors occur frequently and cause some difficulty or hesitation for the reader, the grammar profile aligns with Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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