Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

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 process diagram depicts how a rain-shadow desert is formed by various processes, starting from sea coast to formation of desert.

Overall, the whole process can be systematically divided in 7 distinct steps, which occurs in water bodies, mountainous regions and dry lands, as well as on vastly different altitudes.

First of all, moist air above the sea move towards coastal area, where it is pushed to a higher altitude. As it is driven upwards, the humid air starts to cool due to the atmosphere. Followed by the cooling of air, clouds are formed and precipitation(rainfall) occurs at highest altitudes.

It is important to note that, the process from coast to rainfall is stretched to thousands of kilometers. And the side of the mountain from where the wind approaches is called the windward side, while the side after the process of rainfall is called Leeward side. Next, dry air flows from the peak to downward areas, from where it accesses inland areas which are nearly to sea level. These dry winds form, what is called a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all the key stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process shown in the diagram. The response starts from the sea and moist air approaching the coast, moves through the upward push, cooling, cloud formation, precipitation on the windward side, and concludes with the dry air descending over the leeward side to create the rain-shadow desert inland. Key geographical labels such as windward side, leeward side, and thousands of kilometres are correctly incorporated and integrated into the description. The overview is clearly stated in the second sentence, outlining the seven distinct steps and the changing environments. There are no significant omissions or misinterpretations of the visual data. This fulfills the requirements of Band 7 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The text demonstrates a clear overall progression from the beginning of the process at the coast through to the final inland desert. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and the sequential steps of the diagram. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the stages, such as 'First of all', 'Followed by', and 'Next'. However, some of the referencing and transitional links feel slightly mechanical or abrupt, for instance 'Followed by the cooling of air, clouds are formed', which lacks smooth integration. Paragraphing is adequate, but the breakdown of sentences could be tightened to improve the overall flow. These features align well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student exhibits an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a scientific process diagram. Words and phrases such as 'process diagram', 'distinct steps', 'precipitation', 'altitude', and 'windward side' demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific lection. However, there are minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'moist air above the sea move' (subject-verb agreement error alongside collocation) and 'from where it accesses inland areas which are nearly to sea level'. The attempt to use less common vocabulary is present, but occasional word choice and collocation slips prevent the score from reaching higher bands. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to communicate clearly, supporting a Band 6.5 or 7.0, with 6.5 accurately capturing the slight frequency of imprecise word choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writing includes a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('which occurs in water bodies...', 'where it is pushed...') and participial phrases ('As it is driven upwards...'). There is good control over punctuation, and many sentences are error-free. However, grammatical errors do occur, including subject-verb agreement slips like 'moist air... move' instead of 'moves', awkward prepositional usage ('nearly to sea level' instead of 'near sea level'), and a minor fragment or awkward clause structure ('form, what is called a rain-shadow desert'). These errors do not impede communication, but their persistence across the text keeps the grammar score at a solid Band 6.5, leaning towards Band 7.

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

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