Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 displays the formation process of a desert name rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the procedure took place in seven steps within thousands of kilometres, starting from winds above sea level on the windward side approaching the coast, crossed mountain with formation of rainy clouds, ending up on the other side of a mountain where dry winds flows towards inland areas.

The creation of a rain-shadow desert originates from the coastal sea area, where approaching wind gets pushed upwards on a mountain, while winds get moist and cold as moving forward. Consequently, clouds are formed on the windward side of the mountain, reaching the top with rainfall.

However, the leeward side of the mountain experiences total opposite weather, where because of temperature difference the moist air turns into dry air continues moving forward with no rain creating a shadow on the desert area. The dry winds end up reaching the inland region of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, from the initial moisture-laden winds at the coast to the dry conditions on the leeward side. The overview is clear and identifies the key progression. However, the description of the process is slightly underdeveloped in terms of technical detail, such as the specific role of altitude or the cooling effect of air expansion. While the main features are reported, the explanation of the 'shadow' effect could be more precise. Overall, the response addresses the requirements of the task effectively, providing a logical summary of the provided diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Consequently', 'However', and 'while' are used to link ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For instance, the phrase 'total opposite weather' is a bit vague. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the windward and leeward stages, which helps the reader follow the progression of the formation process.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task. The student uses relevant terms such as 'windward', 'leeward', 'moist air', and 'inland region'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'desert name rain-shadow desert' (should be 'known as') and 'total opposite weather'. While the range is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the more sophisticated, precise terminology that would elevate the response to a higher band. The spelling is generally accurate, and the vocabulary used is appropriate for a descriptive report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'crossed mountain' (missing article), 'winds flows' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'dry air continues moving' (missing relative pronoun). Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout the text. The punctuation is generally functional, though some sentences are slightly clunky. To improve, the student should focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles when describing geographical features.

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

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