Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-30

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 illustration represents how a rain-shadow desert is established. It has seven stages and travels thousands of kilometres.

Overall, Sea winds are carried above a mountain and hydrologic cycle happens to form dry air on other side of mountain which flows through the inland area to create rain-shadow desert. It takes seven steps and thousands of kilometer to create a desert type.

First step involves winds which are flowing towards the coastline. Second step, while being blocked by mountain the wind current is been pushed upwards as these moist air rises in the atmosphere it cools involves third step. While these side of mountain is exposed to the windward side. In fourth step clouds are formed high up in the atmosphere. Furthermore, fifth step rain falls on the peak of the mountain. The wind becomes dry and falls towards the leeward side of the mountain, as it continues to flow over the mountain these dry wind reaches the inland area which makes it its final step where rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow effect. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, relying on a step-by-step listing rather than a cohesive summary of the process. While the overview is present, it is slightly repetitive. The response would benefit from grouping the stages into logical phases (e.g., moisture accumulation, mountain ascent, and the resulting dry leeward conditions) rather than simply numbering them. This would demonstrate a more sophisticated ability to select and report main features as required for higher bands.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical, particularly the reliance on 'First step', 'Second step', and 'Furthermore, fifth step'. This makes the flow feel like a list rather than a fluid academic report. Referencing is generally clear, but the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. To improve, you should use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect ideas more naturally, rather than relying on numerical sequencing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with relevant terms such as 'coastline', 'atmosphere', 'leeward', and 'inland'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'hydrologic cycle happens' (which is vague) and 'create a desert type'. The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. There is also some repetition of basic verbs like 'create' and 'flow'. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise scientific or descriptive terminology would enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'wind current is been pushed' (incorrect passive voice), 'as these moist air rises' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'While these side of mountain is exposed' (article and pluralization issues). While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and the correct formation of passive voice structures, which are essential for describing processes in Task 1.

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