Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-05
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 illustrate the method that is use in the production of desert, know as a rain-shadow desert.
Overall, it is clearly evident that the it consists of various stages, it start from winds approach coast from ocean and the important stage is when moisture air change into clouds at the peak point of the hill. In contrast, it convert into rain formation, a dry air were continue to fall after a rain.at final stage dry wind reach inland areas and rain-shadow desert is formed.
Initially, the process commence from wind approach coast from sea level, then winds move upward. Subsequently, moisture air rises and become cool, Afterwards, it then form cloud. Consequently, when the cloud reach at certain level it transform into rain.
Furthermore, dry air continue over mountain on the leeward area. Finally, dry area reach inland areas where rain shadow is produced.
In conclusion, the formation of rain shadow deserts are consists of numerous phase, however, it start from winds to clouds and cloud to rain, subsequently, after a few stages later it become rain shadow desert at the end.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, from the winds approaching the coast to the creation of the desert inland. An overall trend is attempted in the introduction and conclusion. However, some aspects of the process are under-developed or described with slight inaccuracies, such as how moisture changes into clouds and rain, which keeps the response at this level. The selection of features covers the progression from sea to inland, but the explanation lacks the precise detail needed to fully extend the description of the natural cycle.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text has a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical sequence from the initial stages of the process to the final outcome. Paragraphing is attempted, with an introduction, body paragraphs detailing the steps, and a concluding summary. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and repetitive, relying heavily on basic linkers like 'Initially', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally'. Furthermore, referencing and logical flow are occasionally faulty, particularly in the concluding paragraph where the phrasing becomes circular, which prevents the writing from achieving a more fluid and natural progression of ideas.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting less-common terms related to geography and natural processes such as 'moisture air', 'leeward area', and 'rain-shadow desert'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and word formation, including 'moisture air' instead of 'moist air', 'know' instead of 'known', and awkward phrasing like 'dry area reach inland'. These lexical errors and slip-ups do not impede communication, but they restrict the range and precision of the response, preventing it from reaching a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complexity often result in grammatical errors. There are frequent issues with subject-verb agreement and articles, such as 'The diagram illustrate', 'the it consists', and 'a rain-shadow desert'. Additionally, verb forms and tense usage are inconsistent throughout the text, as seen in 'dry air were continue' and 'formation... are consists'. Punctuation is also occasionally unreliable, with comma splices and run-on sentences. While these errors do not completely obscure the meaning, they are persistent enough to cause some difficulty for the reader.
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