Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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)

This diagram illustrates how a specific type of desert starts to appear, through different steps. The name of the formation of this desert is called "a rain-shadow desert".

Overall, for this desert to appear we need a base consisted of the sea, the coast, the mountains and the inland. When those criteria meets, with the help of the wind, cloud and rain falls and dry air, it will form the Rain-shadow desert.

Initially it starts from the sea where winds approach the coast. With the tilt of the mountain, the winds are pushed upwards, becoming moist air that rises and starts to cooldown. Then, clouds starts being formed. With the addition of the clouds, rain starts falling. After the peak of the mountain is reached, the dry air will start to fall from the opposite side, becoming dry winds that reaches the inland areas. It is by then that the Rain-shadow desert starts to form itself.

The whole process of formation of rain-shadow deserts is measured in thousands of kilometers, starting from the coast and ending at the inland.

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 clearly outlined the sequence from the sea, through the mountain range, to the inland area. The overview is functional, though it could be more analytical by focusing on the transformation of air properties (moist to dry) rather than just listing the geographical features. You have covered all stages of the process, and the information is accurate based on the provided diagram. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the stages is explained with more precision, particularly the causal link between the mountain's elevation and the resulting precipitation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph detailing the process. The progression of ideas is clear, moving chronologically from the sea to the inland. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Then', and 'After', which help the reader follow the sequence. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved by separating the process description into two distinct stages (e.g., the ascent and the descent) to improve readability. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'precipitation' (implied), and 'inland areas'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'a base consisted of' should be 'a base consisting of', and 'rain falls' is slightly redundant. The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more specific scientific or descriptive terminology related to meteorological processes, such as 'condensation', 'leeward side', or 'prevailing winds'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors. For instance, 'When those criteria meets' should be 'When those criteria meet', and 'clouds starts being formed' should be 'clouds start to form'. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic agreement and tense consistency would be highly beneficial.

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

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