Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-02

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 picture illustrates the process of rain-shadow desert formation.

Overall, the formation of rain-shadow deserts has 7 steps where wind can travel thousands of kilometers away. The process starts as the wind from the sea approaches the coast and ends up as it reaches inland areas, creating the rain-shadow desert.

Initially, the wind from the sea approaches the coast, then it pushes towards the mountain where moist air rises and cools up. As it reaches the windward side of the mountain, clouds starting to form.

Then, as clouds reach the peak of the mouintain, rain starts to fall. The dry air continues to go over the mountain as it reaches the leeward side. In the last step of the process, dry winds will reach the inland areas. This will results to the creation of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response provides a clear overview of the process and identifies the main stages. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum requirement, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description of the process. While the key stages are mentioned, the lack of detail regarding the atmospheric conditions or the specific transition between the windward and leeward sides limits the depth of the report. To improve, you should expand on the scientific mechanisms described in the diagram, such as the temperature changes or the specific moisture levels at each stage, to ensure the response meets the length requirement and provides a more comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Then', and 'In the last step' are used to guide the reader through the stages. However, the paragraphing is slightly disjointed, and the transition between the overview and the body could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the overall flow is somewhat mechanical due to the short, simple sentence structures. Increasing the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'rain-shadow desert', 'windward side', and 'leeward side' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs and repetitive structures. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'cools up' instead of 'cools down' or 'results to' instead of 'results in'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise scientific terminology and varied collocations related to weather processes, while ensuring that word forms are used accurately in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'clouds starting to form' (should be 'clouds start to form') and 'This will results to' (should be 'This results in'). Additionally, there is a spelling error ('mouintain'). The control of grammar is inconsistent, and while the errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent verb tenses throughout the process description will help improve your accuracy.

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