Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30
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 how one type of desert , known ad a rain-shadow desert is formed.
Overall, it is clearly observe that the process involves several steps, the process beginning with the moist air approaching the coast and ending with the formation of rain-shadow desert reach inland areas.The process take place accross the hundred of kilometers.
Initially, winds approach the coast.Then, the moist air forced towards the mountains.As the moist air rises and it cools form a clouds on the windward side of the mountains.As a result, rain falls near the summit of the mountains.Following this, the dry air continues over the mountains in the leeward side.Conquently,when the air dry it decend to reach the inland areas.Finally, a rain-shadow desert s formed.
In conculsions, the overall process take place accross the the thousnd of kilometers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. Key geographical features such as the windward side, mountains, leeward side, and inland desert are mentioned. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, containing only 136 words, which attracts a penalty under Task Achievement. Furthermore, there are some minor factual inaccuracies and awkward expressions, such as stating that moist air cools to 'form a clouds' and stating that the process takes place across 'hundred of kilometers' instead of thousands. Overall, the task is addressed, but development is limited by length and minor descriptive slips, placing it at a Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text is structured into three paragraphs, including an introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a brief conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Then', 'Following this', and 'Finally' are used to sequence the stages of the diagram logically. However, paragraphing is somewhat substandard, with the conclusion being cramped and repetitive ('In conculsions, the overall process take place accross the the thousnd of kilometers'). Reference words and transitions are at times mechanical or repetitive, yet the overall progression of the process remains clear and easy to follow. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to the diagram, including terms like 'moist air', 'windward side', 'summit', 'leeward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. However, there are numerous spelling and lexical errors throughout the text, such as 'ad' instead of 'as', 'observe' instead of 'observed', 'accross' instead of 'across', 'decend' instead of 'descend', and 'conculsions' instead of 'conclusion'. Less common vocabulary is attempted but often marred by morphological or spelling inaccuracies, which restricts the lexical score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'As the moist air rises and it cools form a clouds...' and 'Conquently, when the air dry it decend to reach the inland areas.' However, control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including missing articles ('form a clouds'), incorrect verb forms ('air dry it decend'), and run-on structures. Punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after commas and periods, are also frequent. These errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar score at a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.