Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29
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 how a specific desert called as rain-shadow desert is made from winds to the final destination.
Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, starting with approaching coast by winds and ending with dry winds reached to inland areas. Additionally, it is evident that the procedure involves both clouds formation and rain falls stages.
Initially, winds is approached over the sea to coast near the mountains. After that, winds is pushed upwards toward windward side before being to become moist air. Then, the moist air is rose and became cool. Consequently, clouds formed at the top of mountains, resulting in rain falls.
In the next step, dry air is moved downside over the mountains to Leeward area. Following this, dry air is continued to move from leeward side to inland, in order to reach to inland areas. Finally, the rain-shadow desert is formed on inland sites.
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 addresses all parts of the task by summarising the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation. The response includes an overview that outlines the seven main stages, moving from the coast to the inland desert. Key features, such as the moist air rising, clouds forming, rain falling, and dry air continuing over the leeward side, are correctly reported. The spatial relationships (sea, coast, windward side, mountains, leeward side, and inland) are accurately captured. While some descriptions are slightly mechanical or simplified (e.g., "rain-shadow desert is formed on inland sites"), the overall data selection and reporting are accurate, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0. Because the description covers all stages clearly and logically, a Band 6.0 is well-earned, touching upon Band 7 due to the inclusion of an overview and comprehensive sequence coverage.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is structured logically into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps of the diagram. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as "Overall", "Additionally", "Initially", "After that", "Then", "Consequently", "In the next step", and "Finally". However, some of these transitional phrases are slightly repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details, resulting in a coherent overall arrangement that guides the reader effectively through the process.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, incorporating process-related terms such as "process diagram", "stages", "moist air", and "precipitation-related concepts" (though "rain falls" is used instead of the noun form rainfall). There are several word-choice errors and awkward collocations, such as "desert called as rain-shadow desert", "approached coast by winds", "clouds formation", and "is rose". These lexical inaccuracies show an adequate range for the task with attempts at less common vocabulary, but they occasionally detract from precision. Communication is not impeded, fitting the Band 6 profile.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, particularly with passive voice constructions and tense/aspect usage. Examples of errors include: "winds is approached", "winds is pushed upwards... before being to become moist air", "air is rose and became cool", and "dry air is moved downside". These persistent grammatical errors, especially incorrect passive structures and tense mixing, indicate a lack of reliable control over complex grammar. While communication remains clear, the frequency of errors places this firmly in the Band 5.0 territory.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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