Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-25

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 sequential stages involved in the formation of rain-shadow deserts due to geographical and atmospheric factors.

Overall, it is evident that the process is divided into two main phases. First, moisture turns into rain on the windward side. Second, dry air travels inland on the leeward side to create a desert.

In the firsat stage, winds blow over the sea and approach to coast. Next, these winds are pushed upwards by the slope of the high mountains. As the moist air rises higher, it become cold. This cooling process could to form, and then heavy rain falls on the windward side if the mountain,.

In the second stage, the dry air continues its journey over the mountain peak. It then move down the other side, which is called the leeward side. Finally, these dry winds reach inland areas that cover thousands of kilometres. Because the air has no moisture, a rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by summarizing the main stages of the formation of rain-shadow deserts. The response includes a clear overview dividing the process into two main phases, and reports key features such as moist air rising on the windward side, cooling to form clouds, precipitation falling, and dry air continuing across the mountain peak to the leeward and inland areas. The information is accurately derived from the diagram with no major omissions or factual distortions, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from introduction to overview, first stage, and second stage. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct phases of the diagram. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the sequence of events, using transitional markers such as 'First', 'Second', 'In the first stage', 'Next', and 'Finally'. While referencing and linking are generally clear and effective, minor mechanical flaws in cohesion prevent it from reaching a higher band, placing it solidly at Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating specific geographical and meteorological terms such as 'sequential stages', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'moisture'. However, there are several lexical and typographical errors, such as 'firsat' instead of 'first', 'approach to coast' instead of 'approach the coast', and awkward phrasing like 'This cooling process could to form'. These minor errors and occasional limitations in precision cap the lexical score at a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinate clauses effectively ('As the moist air rises higher, it become cold', 'Because the air has no moisture, a rain-shadow desert is formed'). However, there are several noticeable grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('it become cold'), incorrect verb forms ('could to form'), and a missing preposition/punctuation error ('if the mountain,'). Despite these frequent minor errors, communication is rarely impeded, warranting a Band 6.0.

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