Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-31

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 process chart illustrates the formation of the rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it is evident that, the rain-shadow desert occurs in seven significant stages, which starts with air going towards the direction of mountains and concludes with the final stage where dry wind approaches the inland region.

To begin with, the first stage consists of air is forced upwards along the windward side of the mountain. Moreover, the wind gets condensed in the presence of low temperature, which leads to formations of clouds.

Additionally, due to the presence of water in the clouds, it leads to precipitation on the mountain peaks. Furthermore, the dried air passes through leeward side of the mountains and covers thousands of kilometers in this process. Finally, the dry winds reach the inland regions which leads to the creation of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a clear overview of the process, but it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the development of the task. While the main stages are identified, the description lacks the necessary detail and depth expected for an Academic Task 1 response. The summary of the process is somewhat superficial, and the failure to reach the minimum length means that the information is not fully developed. To improve, you should expand on the descriptions of each stage, perhaps by adding more detail about the physical changes occurring at each point in the cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', 'Additionally', and 'Finally' helps to guide the reader through the stages of the process. However, the paragraphing is somewhat fragmented, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. The overall structure is coherent, but the limited length prevents a more sophisticated development of ideas and a more seamless integration of the various stages of the desert formation process.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'precipitation', 'windward', 'leeward', and 'condensed' being used correctly. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there is some repetition of basic structures. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication, but the response lacks the variety and precision required for a higher band score. Incorporating more varied descriptive language would enhance the quality of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While there are some grammatical errors, such as 'the first stage consists of air is forced' (should be 'consists of air being forced') and 'which starts with air going' (should be 'which starts with air moving'), these do not generally impede communication. The control of grammar is adequate for the task, but there is a need for more variety in sentence structures and greater accuracy in complex constructions to reach a higher band score.

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