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 illustrates that it can explain a variety of deserts; it is also called a rain shadow desert and involves the process of rain. In the overview, the process is at its x stage: wind approaches the coast; at the initial stage, wind is pushed upwards, and in the final stage, a dry wind reaches all the area of the inland.
In the formation of rain-shadow deserts, it can start with seawater, with wind approaching the coast and then the wind being pushed upward. In this way, the air rises and becomes cold. In this process, at its final stage, the cloud forms in its final shape. Then the cloud is filled with water the rain falls. After the rain falls, the dry air continues to the leeward side of the mountain and slides along the air on the top of the mountain as dry wind reaches the ground of the inland.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response partially addresses the task by attempting to describe the stages of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram. While some main features are outlined, such as winds approaching the coast and dry winds reaching inland areas, the overview provided is unclear and confused, referring to an abstract 'x stage'. The reporting of intermediate stages contains imprecise and repetitive descriptions, such as 'the cloud forms in its final shape', failing to fully and clearly trace the progression from the sea to the inland desert. To reach a higher level, the response needs a clearer, well-integrated overview and a more fully developed account of each sequential stage without mechanical repetition or vague references.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text demonstrates some overall organisation by attempting to follow a sequential order from the sea to the inland, but there is no clear overall progression due to confusing phrasing and structural shifts. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as repetitive use of 'in its final stage' and 'then'. Paragraphing is poorly handled, with the response split into only two dense blocks where the distinction between an overview and detailed body points is blurred. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it hard to follow which part of the geographical process is being discussed. Improving this criterion requires logical grouping of ideas, more natural transitional phrases, and distinct paragraphs for the introduction, overview, and body details.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The writer successfully uses basic geographical terms such as 'seawater', 'coast', 'wind', and 'mountain', but attempts at less common vocabulary or complex descriptions lead to unnatural phrasing and word choice errors, such as 'dry air continues to the leeward side of the mountain and slides along the air'. There are also awkward collocations and repetitiveness in describing the stages. To improve lexical resource, the student should incorporate a wider range of precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to weather systems and topography, avoiding repetitive and imprecise phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response shows a limited range of sentence structures, with frequent errors that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. While there are some attempts at complex sentences, they are often faulty or awkwardly constructed, such as 'The diagram illustrates that it can explain a variety of deserts; it is also called a rain shadow desert and involves the process of rain.' There are issues with article usage, prepositions within grammatical patterns, and clause coordination. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to demonstrate better control over complex grammar, ensure greater accuracy in sentence construction, and reduce basic structural errors.
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.