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 process diagram illustrates the process of devloping rain shadow desert.

Overall, formating of rain shadow desert follow seven step mainly, process start from sea level then going through top of the mountain,develop rain shadow desert with the help of dry winds came out from mountain.

The process start by winds approch from sea coast side winds go toward upwards from sea level.Winds pushed upwards becasuse of mountin side obestacle. Moisture air geting cools with the help of atmospair and produce clouds and rain water will form. In windward side rain will falls.whole process carry out with the help of mountain.

Fouthermore,rest of the air will dry and form dry air ,which is continous to flow over the mountain in leeward side.Dry winds follow downward step by the leeward side and reach inland areas and make it dry desrt afterthat rain shadow desert will formeted.This process will continue again over the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which is to illustrate the formation of a rain-shadow desert. Key stages of the process are mentioned, such as winds approaching the coast, being forced upwards by mountains, cooling to form clouds and rain on the windward side, and dry air continuing over to the leeward side to create inland deserts. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic, and certain details are expressed with limited precision. While all parts of the visual data are touched upon, the response could benefit from a more cohesive summary of the overall mechanism and clearer connections between the stages. Consequently, it fits the descriptor for Band 5.5 to 6.0, ultimately earning a 6.0 for covering the main features adequately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text is organized into four paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the stages. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by mechanical transitions and weak cohesive devices, such as 'Fouthermore,rest of the air will dry...' and 'afterthat rain shadow desert will formeted.' Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is faulty at times, with referencing that is not always clear. The overall arrangement is coherent enough to follow the sequence of the process, but the mechanical nature of the linking devices keeps this criterion at a Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for describing the basic process, incorporating terms like 'moisture air', 'atmospair', and 'windward side'. However, there are numerous noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'devloping', 'formating', 'approch', 'mountin', 'obestacle', and 'formeted'. The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with frequent reliance on basic terms. While the terminology is sufficient to communicate the general idea of the diagram, the high frequency of lexical errors restricts the score to a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and attempted complex sentence forms, but grammatical control is weak throughout. There are frequent errors in tense consistency, article usage, and word formation, such as 'Winds pushed upwards becasuse of mountin side obestacle', 'Moisture air geting cools', and 'dry air ,which is continous to flow'. Punctuation and capitalization are also inconsistent. Although the reader can discern the intended meaning, the high density of structural and grammatical errors means that error-free sentences are the exception rather than the majority, placing it solidly at Band 5.0.

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