Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-06

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 diagram provides information on how one type of desert, called as rain-shadow desert, is built up.

Overall, the process consists of 7 main stages, beginning with wind approaching coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas. Additionally, coast is on windward side, whereas inland is on leeward side and the distance between the coastline and inland is more than thousands of kilometres.

Looking at sea and coast line winds blows due to the mountains winds are pushed upwards. Subsequently, the moist air present in the winds gradually rise to a certain height and cools down to a certain temperature. After that, from those cooled moist air clouds are formed and rainfall occurs at the top of mountain.

Furthermore, the dry air continues to fall over from the mountains which later on reaches inland areas. Finally, on leeward side when dry winds reaches on inlands we can see the formation of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response gives a clear account of the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and includes the key relationship between rainfall on the windward side and desert formation inland. The overview also identifies the seven stages. However, some details are inaccurate or over-generalised: the diagram shows dry air continuing over the mountain, not “fall[ing] over” it, and the claim that the distance is “more than thousands of kilometres” is not supported; the label indicates a horizontal scale of thousands of kilometres. The location of the rain-shadow desert beyond the leeward side could also be stated more precisely. Overall, the main features are addressed and supported, but greater precision in describing the diagram would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is organised into an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing the process, with a generally clear progression from the coast to the inland desert. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “Subsequently,” “After that,” and “Finally” help guide the reader. This clear structure is a strength. However, some links are awkward or do not express the relationship accurately, as in “Looking at sea and coast line winds blows due to the mountains,” which makes the start of the sequence difficult to follow. The final paragraph also repeats the idea of dry winds reaching inland areas. To improve, use more precise references and transitions, and make each stage connect clearly to the next without restating information.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rainfall,” “windward side,” and “leeward side,” which allows the main stages to be understood. There is also some variation in verbs such as “approaching,” “rise,” and “reaches.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: a desert is not “built up,” the diagram does not say winds blow “due to the mountains,” and “reaches on inlands” is not idiomatic. “Rain-shadow desert” is also introduced as “called as,” an unsuitable construction. Aim for precise process language and natural collocations, such as “is formed,” “are forced upwards,” and “reaches inland areas.” These refinements would make the description clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and complex structures, including “whereas” in the overview and time clauses such as “when dry winds reaches on inlands.” This shows some range, but grammatical control is inconsistent. Subject–verb agreement errors occur in “winds blows,” “air … rise,” and “winds reaches.” Articles and sentence construction also need attention: “called as rain-shadow desert” and “from those cooled moist air” are not correctly formed, while “Looking at sea and coast line winds blows due to the mountains winds are pushed upwards” lacks clear clause boundaries. Some sentences remain understandable, but these errors make parts of the process harder to follow. Practise accurate agreement and articles, and separate linked stages into well-formed clauses with appropriate punctuation.

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

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