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 picture illustrates the formation of rain shadow desert which is one type of desert.

Overall, it is clear that, the process includes seven steps and it divides into two parts first one is Windward side and another is Leewardside. The Mountains is spread thousands of kilometers which connecting with sea Coast and Inland.

The formation starts with Windward side and followed by first step which is winds approach coast and then goes up to winds pushed upwards by step two. After that the winds converts into moist air and cools and make clouds by step three and four, respectively. After formation of clouds the rain falls and reached the top of the mountain in fivth step.

In the Leeward side, step six followed by drying the air continue over the mountain and slightly falling to the mountain and touch the ground which is inland area- its final step. This is the formation of rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main features of the diagram detailing the formation of a rain-shadow desert, covering key elements such as the windward side, the mountain range, moisture changes, and the leeward rain-shadow area. An overview is attempted at the beginning of the second paragraph, outlining the seven steps and the two main geographical divisions. However, some descriptions of the sequential stages are a bit imprecise or awkwardly phrased, such as the claim that rain reached the top of the mountain in the fifth step or how the air falls down the leeward side. Overall, the response addresses all parts of the task satisfactorily, meeting the core requirements of Academic Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text is generally coherent with an identifiable overall progression, moving logically from an introduction to an overview, then detailing the windward side followed by the leeward side. Paragraphing is used to separate different sections of the diagram. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or awkwardly deployed, as seen in expressions like "first one is Windward side and another is Leewardside" and the repetitive use of "by step two... by step three and four, respectively." Referencing is occasionally unclear, which slightly detracts from the overall flow and organizational transparency of the report.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the diagram with terms like "formation," "moist air," "clouds," and "inland area." However, there is a limited range of less common lexical items, and some awkward collocations or word choices occur, such as "winds converts into moist air" and "drying the air continue over the mountain." Spelling is mostly correct, but word formation errors (e.g., "fivth step," "Leewardside") and minor slips in lexical precision prevent the response from achieving a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, attempting relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., "which is one type of desert," "winds pushed upwards"). However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent, with frequent errors in prepositions, verb forms, and subject-verb agreement (e.g., "The Mountains is spread," "the rain falls and reached," "step six followed by drying the air continue"). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to disrupt the fluency of the reading and place the grammar firmly in the Band 5 range.

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.