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 represents about why a single type of desert named as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, This process undergoes through seven different steps to convert winds into rain-shadow desert.

To start with, coming sea winds to the coast that goes straight-up to windward side of mountains. While winds pushed upwards its convert into moist air and become cooler which helps to form clouds near windward side. Next, These clouds slowly moves at the top of mountains until they ready for rain falls.

After that, Due to rain fall air becomes dry on the opposite side of mountains. Which starts moving downward direction crossing by leeward side. Then dry winds reach inland areas. Due to of all these process a single type of desert named as a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response only partially addresses the task requirements. It correctly identifies the general topic of the diagram, which is the formation of a rain-shadow desert, and attempts to trace the sequence of steps from sea winds to inland desert conditions. However, the explanation of key stages is underdeveloped and lacks sufficient detail. For instance, the description misses crucial interactions such as the rain shadow effect on the leeward side of the mountains and the drop in precipitation. Furthermore, the length requirement is not met, as the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 128 words. To reach a higher band, the writer must ensure all stages of the diagram are fully reported with accurate, extended descriptions and meet the required word count.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response shows some basic organisation, dividing the text into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, there is no clear overall progression of ideas, and the connection between sentences often feels disjointed. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as starting sentences with 'To start with,' and 'After that,' combined with repetitive phrasing like 'Due to' and 'Due to of all these process'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the paragraphs are very brief and fail to structure the information logically. To improve, the writer needs to employ a wider range of cohesive devices more accurately and ensure that ideas flow smoothly from one stage of the process to the next without mechanical transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task. The writer relies heavily on basic, repetitive terms from the prompt, such as 'wind', 'coast', 'mountains', and 'desert'. There are notable lexical errors and awkward word choices throughout the text, including 'represents about why', 'undergoes through seven different steps', 'coming sea winds', and 'its convert into moist air'. These noticeable errors sometimes cause difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the student should incorporate a wider and more precise range of vocabulary related to geographical processes and geographical features, while avoiding awkward word formations and incorrect collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences and faulty attempts at complex ones. Frequent grammatical and punctuation errors are present throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('This process undergoes through', 'These clouds slowly moves'), incorrect verb forms ('its convert', 'they ready for rain falls'), missing articles, and awkward prepositional usage ('crossing by leeward side'). These frequent errors can cause difficulty and strain for the reader in places. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to improve sentence variety, use complex structures accurately, and pay closer attention to basic grammatical rules such as tense consistency, articles, and prepositions.

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

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