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 painting illustrate the formation of rain-shadow deserts in different stages.

Overall, the picture shows how to the simple desert convert in rain-shadow desert and the main part of this transformation is mountains and value of this mountain thousands of kilometres. However, changes in environment to one side of mountain desert convert the other side of mountain rain-shadow desert.

Firstly, i can see the sea and down side and coast winds approach coast start from sea to move in winds pushed upwards towards upper mountains and moist air rises and cools going on windward side. Subsequently, start clouds form and start rain upper on the mountains after rain dry air contonues over mountain down the leeward side. Finally, dry winds reach inland areas and change the normal desert in rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task partially, as it attempts to describe the stages of the rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, but the length requirement is not met, falling short of the 150-word minimum at 131 words. While the writer outlines the main sequence from the sea and coast across the mountain to the inland desert, the information is presented with limited development. Key features such as the windward and leeward sides are mentioned, but the explanation lacks sufficient detail and clarity, resulting in an under-developed overview of the overall process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is some basic organisation in the response, using sequencing words like 'Firstly', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the stages. However, there is no clear overall progression due to fragmented and awkward sentence structures. Paragraphing is poorly handled, with the response crammed into a couple of blocks that do not effectively separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices are repetitive and sometimes mechanical, and referencing is occasionally unclear, such as when referring to 'the simple desert convert in rain-shadow desert'.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. There are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'convert in' instead of 'convert into', 'value' instead of 'width' or 'distance', and spelling or morphological slips like 'contonues'. The range of vocabulary is restricted, relying heavily on terms directly copied or slightly altered from the prompt. These inaccuracies occasionally cause some difficulty for the reader in grasping the exact meaning intended by the writer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The text shows a very limited range of sentence structures, with frequent basic errors. Attempts at complex sentences are often faulty, seen in phrases like 'how to the simple desert convert in rain-shadow desert' and 'start rain upper on the mountains'. There are frequent errors in verb forms, prepositions, articles, and word order—such as missing or incorrect auxiliary verbs and prepositions inside grammatical patterns—which can cause strain and difficulty for the reader throughout the response.

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.