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 diagram illustrates the process by which rain-shadow desert is formed as a result of wind passing over a mountain range.

Overall, it consists of seven stages, starting from moist air approaching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching the inland regions where a rain-shadow desert develops.

Initially, air moves from sea towards the coast and proceed towards mountain range. When encounter with mountains occur, winds are pushed upwards along the windward side. During this rising movement, moist air rises and gradually cools down. As a result, cloud formation occurs. Then, rainfall occurs on this side of mountain as clouds release the moisture and air becomes drier.

Subsequently, dry air continues the movement on the opposite slope on the leeward side of mountains and travel towards the inland areas. As little rain occurs in this region, the land remains extremely dry, eventually resuting in the formation of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response gives a clear account of the process and includes the key overall pattern: moist air approaches from the sea, rises and cools over the windward side, produces rain, and then continues inland as dry air, where the desert forms. The overview identifies the seven-stage sequence and its beginning and end, while the body explains the main stages in order. The description of rainfall on the windward side and the dry conditions beyond the mountains is relevant and consistent with the diagram. To strengthen the account further, make the scale explicit: the diagram indicates that the dry winds travel thousands of kilometres inland. Also, distinguish more precisely between the air approaching the coast and the later upward movement over the mountains.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is organised clearly, with an overview followed by a chronological description of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “As a result,” and “Subsequently” help the reader follow the stages, and the shift from the windward to the leeward side is easy to understand. This logical progression is effective throughout. Some links are slightly repetitive or mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “occurs” in “cloud formation occurs” and “rainfall occurs.” The final sentence also combines the dry conditions and desert formation without clearly separating the cause from the outcome. Use a more varied range of transitions and make the relationship between each stage explicit to improve the flow further.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “rainfall,” and “formation,” which suits the diagram and generally communicates the stages clearly. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “As a result” and “Subsequently.” However, some choices are awkward or imprecise: “When encounter with mountains occur” is not a natural expression, and “continues the movement” is less idiomatic than “continues moving.” “Cloud formation occurs” and “rainfall occurs” are also repetitive. The spelling error “resuting” should be corrected to “resulting.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations rather than adding formal-sounding phrases that do not fit smoothly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex structures, including the overview sentence with “starting from … and ending with …” and the cause-and-effect construction “As a result.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. In “air moves from sea towards the coast and proceed,” the verb should agree with “air” (“proceeds”); “When encounter with mountains occur” lacks a clear grammatical subject and has faulty verb structure; and “dry air … travel” should be “travels.” Articles and plurals also need attention in phrases such as “a mountain range” and “the mountains.” These errors do not prevent understanding, but more consistent control of agreement, sentence construction, and articles is needed. Proofread each clause for a clear subject and correctly formed verb.

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

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