Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-02

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 illustration provides information about the process of a rain-shadow desert type creation.

Overall, there are 7 main phenomenons; starting with wind approaching coast and rising upwards, ending with dry air reaching the desert area. Furthermore, in the middle of this process, rain clouds are formed.

Initially, winds are being moved to the coast; after that, they are pushed upwards. When moist air flies up to a mountain, it becomes with a lower temperature, to transform into clouds in the future. Subsequently, when the clouds are created, rain falls. Once this has been completed, dry winds are continuing their movement by passing over the mountain. Finally, into the desert, dry air is transported.

To conclude, the formation of rain-shadow deserts consists of 7 steps: winds approaching the coast; nextly, rising upwards; creation of clouds from the moist and cool air; consequently, rain in the peak of a mountain. After this, dry air reaches the desert area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main components of the diagram showing the formation of a rain-shadow desert, identifying the key stages from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland areas. However, the development of ideas remains limited and repetitive. For instance, the overview and the conclusion essentially repeat the same information about the seven steps without providing a deeper synthesis of how the geographical features interact. Some stages, such as the cooling of moist air and cloud formation, are described in a somewhat simplified manner. To reach a higher band, the response needs to extend the explanation of the physical processes more fully, rather than relying heavily on listing or restating the steps in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text has a recognizable overall structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by repetitive elements, particularly the redundant summary provided in the final paragraph. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Initially', 'after that', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally', but some are applied in a mechanical or slightly awkward way, such as 'nextly' in the conclusion, which is not standard academic usage. Paragraphing is attempted, but the division of ideas could be managed more logically to ensure a smoother flow of information from one stage of the geographical process to the next without unnecessary backtracking.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate vocabulary range to convey the basic steps of the process, employing terms like 'illustration', 'phenomenons', 'moist air', and 'desert area'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies that reflect a limited lexical repertoire. For example, 'rain-shadow desert type creation' is unnatural phrasing, 'phenomenons' should be 'phenomena', and phrases like 'it becomes with a lower temperature' and 'flies up to a mountain' lack precision and academic style. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical control needs to improve in terms of precision, collocation, and natural phrasing to achieve higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing displays a limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple and moderately complex sentences. Attempts at complex structures often result in awkward phrasing or grammatical errors, such as 'When moist air flies up to a mountain, it becomes with a lower temperature, to transform into clouds in the future.' There are frequent errors in prepositions, verb forms, and voice, such as 'winds are being moved' and 'into the desert, dry air is transported.' Punctuation and basic grammar are mostly functional, but the accumulation of errors across complex constructions causes occasional difficulty for the reader and keeps the grammatical control at this level.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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