Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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)

The diagram illustrates how a particular type of desert, known as a rain- shadow desert, is formed.

Overall, the process of forming a rain- shadow desert involves seven stages. It commences with the wind's approach and ends when dry winds reach inland regions. In addition to this, it covers thousands of kilometres to reach Inland from sea and this process revolves around the mountains.

At the first stage of the process, winds approach the coast above the sea surface then they are pushed upward on the sides of mountains. Once this step is complete, moist air rises and cools simultaneously towards the windward side. Subsequently, clouds are formed and rainfall occurs.

Turning to the later stages of the process, dry air continues over mountains towards the leeward side. Afterwards, dry winds reach inland areas and result in a rain- shadow desert. It has been considered as a long process as wind travels thousands of kilometers to form rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram. The response includes an appropriate overview that identifies the number of stages (seven) and the general progression from the sea, across the mountains, to the inland desert. Key features such as the wind's approach, moist air rising and cooling, cloud formation, precipitation, and the dry air descending onto the leeward side are accurately reported. The student also correctly incorporates the spatial scale of thousands of kilometres. The information is fully grounded in the visual data without introducing irrelevant outside knowledge or missing major steps. Therefore, this performance meets the criteria for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. It opens with an introduction and clear overview, followed by logical body paragraphs that trace the sequential steps of the diagram from left to right. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well to guide the reader through the stages, utilizing transition words such as 'At the first stage', 'Once this step is complete', and 'Turning to the later stages'. Paragraphing is sufficient and appropriate, separating the introduction/overview from the main body stages effectively. Referencing and progression are clear, though transitions could occasionally be slightly more fluid to reach higher band levels. This aligns well with a Band 7 descriptor.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, accurately employing topic-specific terms directly derived from or related to the diagram, such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'precipitation', and 'inland regions'. There are occasional slight awkwardness in phrasing, such as 'process of forming a rain-shadow desert involves seven stages' (where 'formation of' is slightly more natural) and minor punctuation spacing errors. However, the vocabulary is used with sufficient precision to convey the process clearly without impeding communication. This performance fits comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7 range, rounding to 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student utilizes a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and adverbial clauses of time (e.g., 'Once this step is complete, moist air rises and cools simultaneously towards the windward side'). There are instances of good grammatical control alongside a few minor mechanical errors, such as missing articles ('to reach Inland from sea') and minor prepositional or spacing slips. However, the majority of sentences are clear and error-free, and complex structures are attempted with a fair degree of success. Communication is never impeded by these minor errors, supporting a Band 6.5 score.

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

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