Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-14

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 provided figure illustrates the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

Overall, the formation is entirely natural and consists of 7 stages. It commences with wind blowing from the sea to coastline and concludes with formation of rain-shadow deserts. Furthermore, thousands of kilometers wide mountain is necessary in between sea and land to form those type of deserts.

To begins with, wind needed to blow over the sea towards the coast. Then, the winds pushed upward because of the windward side, the side facing sea, of the mountain. Clouds are formed, because of the rising altitude of moist air.

When the clouds reached closer to the top of the mountain, they cool down further and precipitation occurs. The other half of the mountain, also know as leeward side, continue to blow dry air downward. Rain-shadow deserts are formed where dry air meets the inland. The dry air continue to blow toward the land after the formation of the desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence and provide a clear overview: the process begins with winds from the sea and ends with a rain-shadow desert inland. You also identify the windward and leeward sides and explain that rain falls on the mountain’s sea-facing side. These details make the response relevant and broadly complete. However, some stages are not reported in the correct order or with sufficient precision: moist air rises and cools before clouds form, whereas your account says clouds form because of rising air and later suggests the clouds cool. The statement that a “thousands of kilometers wide mountain” is necessary also misreads the diagram: the scale refers to the horizontal distance shown, not the width of a mountain. More precise coverage of these features would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement, with an overview followed by a description of the process, and sequencing words such as “To begins with,” “Then,” and “When” help guide the reader. The progression from the coast to the inland desert is generally easy to follow. However, the stages are not always linked in the diagram’s exact sequence: cloud formation is placed before the cooling of moist air, and the final movement of dry winds is repeated after the desert’s formation. Some references, such as “the other half of the mountain,” are also less precise than the diagram’s windward and leeward labels. Organising the body strictly by the numbered stages and using clearer links between cause and result would make cohesion more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “precipitation,” and “inland,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variation in how you describe movement and change. However, several choices or combinations are imprecise: “thousands of kilometers wide mountain” misrepresents the scale, “winds pushed upward because of the windward side” is awkward, and “dry air meets the inland” is not a natural expression. “Coastline” and “coast” are also used where a more exact description of the winds approaching the coast would help. Aim for accurate collocations and use the diagram’s labels consistently; this would make the vocabulary more precise and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “the side facing sea” and a time clause beginning “When the clouds reached closer to the top.” The overall meaning remains understandable, but errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction are noticeable. For example, “To begins with” should be “To begin with,” “the other half … continue” needs subject–verb agreement, and “The dry air continue” should be “The dry air continues.” The sentence “Furthermore, thousands of kilometers wide mountain is necessary” also has problems with articles and noun structure. Work on checking verb endings and building complete, accurate noun phrases; greater control of these basics would make your varied sentences more reliable.

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

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