Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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 formation of a distinct kind of desert called as rain-shadow desert, tracing the process to the winds approaching towards the coast from the sea to finally reaching inland areas.

Overall, it follows multi-stage linear process which begins at the sea by the formation of winds containing moisture to foam clouds and ends with dry winds reaching towards the inland areas. During these stages the moist air cools down to form cloud which rains at the top of the mountain before the dry air reaches inland area.

In the initial stages, the moisture from the sea rises to be mixed with winds approaching coast. The winds are pushed upward in the direction of the windward side of mountain. At this point, due to higher elevation that results in the reduced temperature, which is a suitable condition to form a cloud.

In the remaining stages the clouds rises higher causing precipitation. Following this the wind moves towards the leeward side of the mountain and losses almost all the moisture that results in dry air. Consequently, when the dry air raches in the inland, it forms rain-shadow desert.

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 from the sea to the inland area. The key stages—moisture rising, cloud formation, precipitation on the windward side, and the resulting dry air on the leeward side—are all covered. To reach a higher band, ensure that the comparison between the windward and leeward sides is more explicitly highlighted as a contrast, as this is central to the 'rain-shadow' concept. Overall, the information is accurate and well-summarised.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised into clear paragraphs, each focusing on a specific stage of the process. You use cohesive devices such as 'In the initial stages', 'Following this', and 'Consequently' to guide the reader through the sequence. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For example, the phrase 'In the remaining stages' is a bit vague. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph flows more naturally into the next would enhance the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'precipitation', 'windward', 'leeward', and 'elevation'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'approaching towards' (redundant) and 'foam clouds' (likely meant 'form'). Additionally, 'raches' is a spelling error. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band. Focusing on more precise collocations and ensuring accurate spelling will help improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'called as' (should be 'called'), 'winds approaching towards' (should be 'winds approaching'), and 'clouds rises' (subject-verb agreement error). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions. Increasing the variety of complex structures while maintaining accuracy will also be beneficial for your future writing tasks.

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

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