Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-12

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

Overall, the process consists of seven stages beginning with winds from the sea approaching the coast and going through the process of evaporation, precipitation and condensation, resulting in the formed dry winds creating the rain-shadow desert in the inland area, thousands of kilometers away from the coast.

Initially, the winds move from the sea towards the coast after which they are pushed upwards along the windward side of the mountain. Once they rise, the moist air evaporates to form clouds in the sky. Thereafter, following the process of precipitation, the water contained in the clouds condenses and falls on the mountain as rainwater. This generates dry air that passes over the mountain towards the leeward side. The dry winds then continue downwards, moving along the mountain and reach the inland areas to form the rain- shadow desert, ending a process that covered thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have provided a clear overview and followed the sequence of events logically. The summary covers the key stages from the initial sea winds to the final desert formation. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the specific geographical features shown in the diagram, such as the 'windward' and 'leeward' slopes, more precisely in relation to the precipitation levels. Overall, you have addressed all parts of the task effectively and provided a coherent summary of the provided visual information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph detailing the process. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once', 'Thereafter', and 'The dry winds then' helps guide the reader through the sequence of events. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed description. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is consistent with the stages depicted in the diagram.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'evaporation', 'precipitation', 'condensation', and 'leeward'. There is an attempt to use precise terminology relevant to the topic. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as stating that 'moist air evaporates to form clouds'; technically, water vapor condenses to form clouds. Improving the precision of these scientific descriptions would enhance your score. The vocabulary is generally appropriate for an academic task and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'Once they rise, the moist air evaporates to form clouds in the sky.' Grammar and punctuation are generally accurate, and errors are rare and do not interfere with the clarity of the message. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'the air is forced upwards'), which are particularly suitable for describing scientific processes.

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

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