Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24

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 by which rain shadow deserts are formed as moist air moves across a mountain range.

Overall, the process consist of seven main stages, beginning with wind approaching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas and creating a rain shadow desert. Rainfall occurs mainly on the windward side of the mountains, while the leeward side remains dry.

Initially, winds carrying moist air approach the coast from the sea. As the winds reach the mountains, they are pushed upwards. the moist air then rises further and cools as it moves up the windward side. As a result, clouds form at higher altitudes. These clouds subsequently produce rainfall on the windward side of the mountain.

After the rain falls, the air becomes considerably drier. It then continues over the mountain and move down the leeward side. During this descent, the air remains dry and become warmer. Finally, the dry wind reach the inland area, where the lack of moisture and rainfall leads to the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student covers all parts of the prompt well, providing a clear summary of the seven stages involved in the formation of rain-shadow deserts. An effective overview is included in the second paragraph, which successfully highlights the main spatial dichotomy between the wet windward side and the dry leeward side. The response selects key features from the diagram—such as winds approaching the coast, moist air rising, cloud formation, precipitation, and the ultimate creation of the desert inland—without missing any major steps. The information is accurately reported and well-grounded in the visual data, earning a strong band score for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from the introduction and overview into detailed sequential steps. Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the general summary from the specific mechanisms of the process. Cohesive devices are handled reasonably well, with transition markers like 'Initially', 'As a result', 'After the rain falls', and 'Finally' guiding the reader smoothly through the seven stages. Although referencing and flow are generally clear, cohesion feels slightly mechanical in places due to standard sequencing formulas. Overall, the logical structure supports effective communication.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic process description, incorporating terms such as 'moist air', 'precipitation', 'altitude', 'descent', and 'rain-shadow desert'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary like 'considerably' and 'subsequently'. However, there are a few minor lexical and grammatical word-form errors, such as 'the process consist' (should be 'consists'), 'move down' (should be 'moves down'), and 'dry wind reach' (should be 'winds reach'). Despite these occasional inaccuracies, the vocabulary is adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'As the winds reach the mountains, they are pushed upwards' and 'where the lack of moisture and rainfall leads to...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating good control of grammar. However, a few minor mechanical and grammatical errors occur, including a lowercase starting letter ('the moist air then rises...'), subject-verb agreement slips ('the process consist'), and tense/pluralization errors ('dry wind reach' instead of 'winds reach'). These errors do not impede communication, allowing the response to sit comfortably in the band 7 range.

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