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 given image is of a diagram which illustrate significant information regarding the how rain shadow deserts has been formed.
Overall, if we look closely it is clearly seen that diagram is divided into different steps.However, it start from sea level and ends at inland areas that is rain shadow desert.
Initially, winds approaching the coast from the sea side and pushed upward when they meet the mountains on the windward side.As the moist air rises, it cools down and condense to form clouds.Subsequently, they produce precipitation and rain falls on the windward side of the mountain respectively.
For instance, the now dry air continues its movement over the top of the mountain towards the leeward side. Finally, these dry winds move downward and reach the inland areas beyond the mountains and they receive very little rainfall, which over thousands of kilometres leads to the formation of rain shadow desert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully identifies and summarises the main stages in the formation of rain-shadow deserts shown in the diagram, beginning with the sea and coast and progressing through the windward side, mountain peak, leeward side, and finally the inland desert. Key features such as moist air rising, cloud formation, precipitation, and dry air descending are all accurately reported. An overview is present, noting that the diagram is divided into different steps starting from sea level and ending at the rain-shadow desert. However, some minor grammatical and phrasing issues slightly detract from the precision, but all parts of the visual prompt are adequately covered. This performance fits comfortably into Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the initial stages of the process to the final outcome. The student uses introductory phrases like 'Overall, if we look closely' and transition markers such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'For instance', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the sequence. Paragraphing is used, separating the introduction/overview from the detailed process steps. However, some cohesion is slightly mechanical, and referencing is occasionally clunky, such as shifting pronouns between steps. Despite these minor flaws, the logical flow is clear throughout, earning a Band 6.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of task-specific vocabulary relevant to geography and meteorology, including 'precipitation', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'rain shadow desert'. While there are some awkward phrasings like 'illustrate significant information regarding the how rain shadow deserts has been formed', the vocabulary is generally adequate for the task. Less common lexical items are attempted, although there are minor word choice and spelling inaccuracies (such as missing hyphens in 'rain-shadow'). These errors do not impede communication, placing the lexical resource clearly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writing features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating an attempt to use subordinate clauses and connective structures (e.g., 'As the moist air rises, it cools down and condense...'). However, there are several noticeable grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('diagram which illustrate', 'rain shadow deserts has been formed', 'it start'), tense inconsistencies, and missing articles. Punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after periods, are also present. These errors occasionally disrupt the reading flow but rarely impede overall understanding, justifying a band score of 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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