Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-05

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 6.5)

The given diagram, illustrates the process formation of rain-shadow deserts in result of wind movwmwnt and mountain barriers.

Overall, the proess consists of seven main stages starting from the wind approaching coast and ending with dry winds ewaching inland areas.Initially, wind approaches the cost and pushed upwards that make moist air rising and cooling to form clouds. In the result of formation of clouds, the rainfall occurs in the Windward side .

After loosing most of its moisture, the dry air continous to climb down the mountain from Leeward side. As it descends, it cecame increasingly dry. Afterwards, as the last step of the formation of rain-shadow desert, the dry winds reach the inland areas.

In conclusion, a rain-shadow desert is formend when the moist air rises over the mountain releases rainfall on the windward side and decends as dry air on the leeward side, eventualy creating dry conditionds in inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response covers the process from the approaching winds to the formation of dry inland conditions, and the overview identifies the seven-stage sequence and its start and end points. It also reports the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry air reaching the leeward side. These details are relevant and broadly match the diagram. However, the account is not fully precise: the air continues over the mountain, rather than “climb down the mountain from Leeward side,” and the final sentence repeats the process instead of adding a distinct feature. To strengthen the report, explain more clearly that moist air rises, cools and forms clouds before rain falls, then descends on the leeward side and reaches inland areas as dry wind.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is arranged in a clear sequence, with an opening, an overview and a description of the stages. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Initially,” “After,” and “Afterwards” help the reader follow the process from coast to inland areas. The progression is generally logical, and the conclusion reinforces the main cause-and-effect relationship. Some cohesion is less controlled: “In the result of formation of clouds” is an awkward link, and the final “In conclusion” paragraph largely repeats information already given. There is also a missing space after “areas.”, which interrupts presentation. Use simpler, more natural transitions and avoid restating the same stages so that each paragraph contributes new information.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “rainfall,” “Windward side,” “Leeward side,” and “inland areas,” which makes the main subject clear. There is some attempt to vary wording through phrases such as “releases rainfall” and “dry conditions.” However, spelling errors are frequent and sometimes make reading difficult, including “movwmwnt,” “proess,” “ewaching,” “continous,” and “eventualy.” Several word choices or collocations are also inaccurate: “in result of” and “climb down the mountain” do not express the process naturally. Proofread carefully and choose precise process verbs, such as “descend,” “lose moisture,” and “reach inland areas,” to improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a range of sentence forms, including a relative clause in “that make moist air rising and cooling” and a time clause beginning “As it descends.” These attempts show some variety, but control is inconsistent. For example, “the process formation” is missing a grammatical link, “wind approaches the cost and pushed upwards” shifts tense and lacks a clear subject for the second verb, and “a rain-shadow desert is formend” uses an incorrect passive form. The sentence beginning “In the result” also has an unclear grammatical construction. Aim for accurate present-simple descriptions of general processes, and check articles, verb forms and sentence boundaries. A model pattern is: “As moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds.”

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