Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-12

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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed as a result of movement of moist and dry winds climbing across the mountain. The diagram can be divided into two parts namely, windward side and leeward side.

Overall, the process consists of 7 stages. Starting from the sea, winds approaches the coast and climb upward to the mountain. The moist air from the sea rises and gets cooling effect in it to form clouds upside the mountain. Moreover, the formation of heavy clouds, rain-fall occurs on the windward side of the mountain.

Afterwards, rest of the air crosses mountain and start climbing down to the leeward side. During this movement, the air becomes very warm and dry. In result of which very less or even no rainfall occurs this side of the mountain. Finally, these dry winds reach the inlands creating the conditions that lead to the formation of the rain-shadow dessert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response gives a clear account of the process and identifies its main stages, including moist air rising, cloud formation and rainfall on the windward side, followed by dry air moving inland and creating desert conditions. The overview that the process has seven stages and the contrast between the two mountain sides are relevant and grounded in the diagram. The sequence is generally accurate, although some details are less fully explained: for example, the response does not clearly state that the air cools as it rises, and it describes the remaining air as “start climbing down” without explaining its continued movement over the mountain. To strengthen the account, report each stage more precisely and avoid adding unsupported emphasis such as “heavy” clouds.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is organised into a brief introduction, an overview and two paragraphs that follow the process from the coast to the inland desert. This gives the reader a clear progression, and transitions such as “Afterwards” and “Finally” help signal the later stages. The contrast between the windward and leeward sides also provides a useful organising principle. Some linking is less natural or precise, however: “Moreover” does not clearly introduce a separate point, while “In result of which” makes the relationship between dry air and limited rainfall awkward to follow. Use a smaller number of accurate transitions and connect each stage directly to its consequence to make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “rainfall” and “formation.” These terms help communicate the diagram’s main features. There are also attempts at more descriptive wording, but some choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “gets cooling effect,” “clouds upside the mountain,” “very less” and “inlands.” The spelling “dessert” is also incorrect in this context. These slips do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, but they limit precision and naturalness. Prefer established collocations and check spelling carefully, especially for key terms repeated in the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “conditions that lead to the formation” and a participle phrase in “creating the conditions.” However, some grammatical errors remain. In “winds approaches,” the plural subject requires “approach”; “the air … start climbing” also needs subject–verb agreement. The sentence beginning “In result of which” is an incomplete dependent construction, and “rain-fall occurs” is not formed as a clear grammatical clause. Articles and prepositions are also sometimes awkward, as in “climb upward to the mountain.” Aim for complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and check agreement and clause structure when combining stages.

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

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