Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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 map illustrates how one type of desert, know as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

overall, There is seven stages of formation of rain show desert. Starting point winds approach coast and the ending point is dry winds reach inland areas.The chart shows the lenght in thousands of kilometers.

Initially, across the sea winds apporach coast and pushed upward as they reach the mountain. As the moist air rises, it becomes cooler.

Subsequently,clouds from above the mountain when the air cool sufficiently. this leads to rainfall on the windward side of the mountain. As a result, a considerable amount of moisture is lost from the air.

afterwards, the dry air continues over the mountain and moves towards the leeward side.

As it descends,the air becomes warmer and remains dry. finally, these dry winds reach the inland areas on the other side of the mountain,resulting in relatively dry conditions there.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, successfully tracing the seven sequential stages of a rain-shadow desert's formation from the sea and coast to inland areas. You correctly identified key processes such as moisture loss, cloud formation, and the temperature changes during the descent on the leeward side. However, a penalty must be applied because the response falls slightly short of the 150-word minimum, containing 149 words. While you reported the main features and included the spatial and process details well, the under-length constraint pulls the score down.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

Your writing shows a clear overarching logical progression that follows the numbered steps in the diagram. You make use of sequential transition words like 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'afterwards', and 'finally' to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is attempted, though some paragraphs are very brief, and there are mechanical issues with capitalisation (e.g., starting sentences with lowercase letters like 'overall,' and 'afterwards,'). Reference words are generally clear, but the overall mechanical control of cohesion holds the score back from higher bands.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'precipitation', 'moisture', 'descends', and 'inland areas'. There are, however, several spelling errors ('know' instead of 'known', 'lenght', 'apporach', 'cool' instead of 'cools', 'from' instead of 'form') and a few mechanical mistakes with punctuation and casing. While you attempt less common lexical items related to the geographical process, the frequency of basic spelling slips prevents you from reaching a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'As the moist air rises, it becomes cooler' and 'when the air cool sufficiently'. There are noticeable grammatical and punctuation errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('clouds from... when the air cool'), missing articles ('across the sea winds apporach coast'), and faulty sentence boundaries. While communication is not severely impeded and the reader can follow the process, the frequency of errors prevents the grammar score from rising above a Band 5.5.

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