Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-04

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 diagram gives explanation about formation of a certain type of desert known as rain-shadow, is formed.

Overall seven steps is involve in formation of of this desert staring with approaching winds with water vapour from the sea level and becoming it dry when it reached other part of mountains.

At the beginning winds from the sea began to flow towards coastal area of the sea, after that it forced upward to the mountains. Before cloud formation winds containing water vapor cool down. The clouds reach higher altitude and transformed into water. As a result rain falls coastal side or windward side of the mountains.

Consequently dry air starts to flow down towards the inland by the leeward side of the mountains. when dry air reach inland area there are no moisture left in the air which result rain-shawdow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main features of the diagram, outlining the overall process of how a rain-shadow desert is formed from the sea to inland areas. However, the explanation lacks sufficient development in places, missing key details such as the windward and leeward designations or the scale of thousands of kilometres. Additionally, the response falls short of the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, sitting at 140 words. To reach a higher band, you should ensure the response meets the length requirement and expand more fully on all key stages and labels presented in the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement and follows a chronological sequence corresponding to the steps in the diagram. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction from the body stages. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty, as seen in transitions like 'after that it forced upward' and repetitive referencing. To improve, you should use a wider variety of cohesive devices more naturally and ensure smoother logical links between sentences and paragraphs, such as utilizing clearer referencing pronouns and subordinate clauses.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

An adequate vocabulary range is attempted for the task, including terms like 'moisture', 'vapour', 'altitude', and 'inland area'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'gives explanation about formation', 'becoming it dry', and 'rain-shawdow desert' (spelling error). These slips and limitations in range can cause slight difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate less common vocabulary with greater precision, improve word formation, and carefully check your spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple constructions, while attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty, such as in the opening sentence 'The diagram gives explanation about formation of a certain type of desert known as rain-shadow, is formed.' There are frequent errors in verb forms, articles, and prepositions, including 'steps is involve', 'staring', and 'rain falls coastal side'. These recurring grammatical inaccuracies can cause some difficulty for the reader. To improve, you need to practice forming complex sentences accurately and pay closer attention to basic subject-verb agreement and article usage.

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

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