Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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)

A particular type of desert formation process is illustrated in the diagram, the desert formed is called rain-shadow desert.

According to the diagram the formation of a rain-shadow desert consists of 7 steps. In addition, the diagram shows that a rain-shadow desert is formed accross mountains having a coastal area thousands of kilometers away on the opposite side.

In the first stage, air blows from the sea towards the coastal area and approaches the coast. From where the winds are pushed upward towards the top of the mountains in second stage. The third stage includes rising and cooling of the moist air travelling upward to form clouds in the fourth stage. In the fifth stage, rain falls from the clouds formed at the top on winward side of the mountains.

The dry air travel thousands of kilometers toward the leeward side of the mountains, where the dry air continues and travel downward towards the desert in the sixth stage. In the seventh stage, dry winds travel on the inland areas forming a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the visual data by outlining the seven key stages involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the main features such as the 7-step process and the geographical context involving mountains, coastal areas, and inland regions spanning thousands of kilometres. The stages are reported accurately, moving logically from winds approaching the coast to precipitation on the windward side and dry conditions on the leeward side. There are no significant omissions or misinterpretations of the diagram. The response meets all the requirements for Task 1 Academic successfully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The information is divided into sensible paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs detailing the initial stages and the final stages of the process. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'In the first stage', 'From where', and 'In the seventh stage', although referencing and transitions can occasionally feel slightly mechanical (e.g., 'The third stage includes...'). Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to structure the response, ensuring the reader can easily follow the sequence of events shown in the diagram.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms such as 'coastal area', 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. There are, however, a few minor lexical and spelling errors, such as spelling 'accross' instead of 'across' and 'winward' instead of 'windward'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with reasonable success, though greater precision and variety in reporting verbs and descriptive phrases would elevate the response further. Communication is never impeded by these lexical slips.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating participial phrases and relative clauses (e.g., 'having a coastal area thousands of kilometers away on the opposite side'). There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'From where the winds are pushed upward' (which is a fragmented structure) and subject-verb agreement issues like 'The dry air travel' instead of 'travels'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors persist, they do not impede communication. The control of grammar is consistent with a solid Band 6.0 performance.

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