Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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 given diagram depicts the sequential process of the formation of rain-shadow deserts, which receive less rain fall than the windward side, on the leeward side of mountains.

Overall, this multistage process begins with the arrival of winds at coastal areas and concludes with the creation of rain-shadow deserts, while five different stages act as a intermediate steps. In addition, the windward side of mountains receive the highest amount of precipiation than the leeward side.

To initiate this process, winds blow over the sea, to absorb moisture, and pumped upward on the windward side of mountains. As a result moist air rises and condenses to form clouds, which move to the peak of mouintains and cause heavy rain fall on the windward side.

Afterwards, the dry air continues over mountains on the leeward side and pushed downward direction to reach inland areas, which eventually leads to the formation of rain-shadow deserts. Furthermore, in this whole process winds travel the distance of thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by providing a clear summary of the process of how rain-shadow deserts are formed. The main features of the diagram, such as the initial movement of winds, cloud formation, precipitation on the windward side, and the dry air descending on the leeward side, are all accurately reported and compared. An overview is successfully provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the multistage nature of the process and the contrast in precipitation between the two sides of the mountains. The information is fully grounded in the provided visual data, with no major omissions or misinterpretations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised and easy to follow. It begins with an introduction and a clear overview, followed by body paragraphs that trace the sequential stages of the diagram from left to right. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well to connect the steps, such as 'Overall', 'To initiate this process', 'As a result', and 'Afterwards'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction/overview from the detailed process description. However, referencing and transitions could be slightly smoother in places, which keeps the score at a solid Band 7 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response describing a natural process. Items such as 'sequential process', 'multistage process', 'moisture', 'condenses', and 'precipitation' are used effectively. There are some minor lexical and spelling errors, such as 'rain fall' (written as two words instead of rainfall), 'intermediate steps' (incorrect article usage 'a intermediate'), and 'mouintains' (spelling slip). Despite these minor errors, the vocabulary is varied enough to allow precise descriptions of the physical stages shown in the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'which receive less rain fall than the windward side', 'winds blow over the sea, to absorb moisture, and pumped upward'). There are several grammatical slips and awkward passive/active constructions, such as 'winds... pumped upward' (missing auxiliary 'are') and 'pushed downward direction' (preposition error). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors persist, they do not impede communication.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.