Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-01

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 pictorial representation is depicting that how a rain-shadow desert is formed after undergoing seven steps.

First of all, the winds approach from the sea to the coastal area and then they are pushed in the upward direction and their is most air in them as well. The moist air rises and cool and give rise to clouds. From the windward side, moist air results in rain from clouds which roll on the mountain, and the dry air continues to move over the mountains to the Leeward side. This dry air then reaches the inland areas on the Inland and cosequently the rain-shadow desert is formeed. It can also be seen that almost all the process happens on the Windward side.

Hence, the coastal winds after covering a distance of thousands of kilometers and undergoing many steps giving rain from the moist air over the mountain , are now dry winds on the Inland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the progression from moist sea air to the formation of a rain-shadow desert. However, the description is somewhat superficial. While you mention the seven steps, you do not clearly delineate them, and the explanation of the process is slightly repetitive. To reach a higher band, ensure you clearly contrast the windward and leeward sides with more precision regarding the physical changes occurring at each stage. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the core mechanism of the rain-shadow effect.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organised into three paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'First of all', 'consequently', and 'Hence' to link ideas. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'clouds which roll on the mountain'. The progression of ideas is logical, but the paragraphing could be improved by separating the initial conditions from the resulting desert formation more distinctly. Overall, the text is easy to follow, but the use of cohesive devices lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use relevant terms such as 'coastal area', 'moist air', 'windward side', and 'leeward side'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and form, such as 'pictorial representation is depicting that how' (which is wordy and grammatically awkward) and 'formeed' (a spelling error). To improve, focus on using more precise academic collocations and ensure that your word forms are accurate. The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication and precision expected at higher levels.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'their is most air' should be 'there is moist air', and 'moist air rises and cool' should be 'moist air rises and cools'. Additionally, the sentence 'the coastal winds... are now dry winds' is slightly clunky. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage to improve your accuracy.

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