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 process diagram illustrates how rain shadow desert is formed.

Overall, Sea waster is used to start the process while rain shadow desert come into existence when dry winds reached inland areas by moving thousands kilo meters distance .The whole process included seven different stages.

Firstly, the wind approached coast and then pushed water upwards, then it formed cool and moist air. In the next phase it transferred into clouds shape and at the fifth stage rain started.

After rain dry air started at the top of the mountain and then it travelled to downward areas. In the last stage the dry air reached inland areas. Finally the process started from the coast of the sea ended with the formation of desert rain shadow after several sages of whole process.

In comparison, in the start the air converted into moist and cool air but at the end dry air travelled to Lowest side areas which caused the formation of rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by outlining the main stages in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, but it only partially covers all parts of the visual data. While it mentions the initial approach of winds from the sea and the final formation of the desert inland, the overview lacks clarity and some steps are slightly mechanical or underdeveloped. For instance, the transition from moist air to cloud formation and rainfall is described simplistically as 'then it transferred into clouds shape and at the fifth stage rain started.' To move to a higher band, the overview needs to synthesize the broader transformation of the landscape more clearly, and the individual stages should be presented with better precision regarding how moisture is depleted across the mountain ranges.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is some basic organization in the response, beginning with an introduction and following the chronological stages of the process diagram, but it lacks a clear overall progression. Cohesive devices are repetitive and sometimes mechanical, relying heavily on sequential connectors like 'Firstly,' 'In the next phase,' 'After rain,' and 'In the last stage.' Furthermore, referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as using vague pronouns like 'it' multiple times in a single sentence to refer to the wind or air, which obscures meaning. Paragraphing is attempted, but sentences within paragraphs do not always flow logically into one another, creating a somewhat disjointed reading experience. Improving logical progression and varying cohesive devices would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task. There are several noticeable errors in word choice, collocation, and form, such as 'Sea waster' instead of 'sea water', 'thousands kilo meters distance' instead of 'thousands of kilometres', and 'Lowest side areas' instead of 'leeward side'. Additionally, spelling and formatting errors, like 'kilo meters' and 'sages', impede communication at times. The student attempts some less common vocabulary related to the process, but the inaccurate execution restricts the range. To achieve a higher score, the writer must use precise scientific terms from the diagram accurately and eliminate basic spelling and word formation mistakes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response shows a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying primarily on simple sentences and basic past-tense forms. When complex structures or multi-clause sentences are attempted, they are frequently faulty, such as in the sentence: 'Finally the process started from the coast of the sea ended with the formation of desert rain shadow after several sages of whole process.' There are frequent errors in verb tense consistency, prepositions, and article usage, such as missing articles ('how rain shadow desert is formed') and awkward prepositional phrases ('transferred into clouds shape'). These recurring grammatical errors cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a limited control over sentence mechanics.

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