Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-02

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 following diagram illustrates the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

It has seven sequential stages involved in the natural formation of a rain-shadow desert. Overall, the process demonstrates how coastal wind moves across mountains, shedding moisture on one side while creating different conditions on the other over thousands of kilometres.

The process begins at sea, where winds approach the coast.

(1) They are forced upwards upon encountering a mountain range.

(2) As this moist air ascends the windward side of the mountains, it rises and cools. (3) Consequently, clouds begin to form.

(4) Leading to heavy rain falling on the coastal slope.

(5) Once the air passes the peak, it loses most of its moisture. The remaining dry air continues over the mountain onto the leeward side.

(6)Finally, these dry winds descend into inland areas.

(7) This prevents precipitation and ultimately giving rise to a rain-shadow desert across a vast expanded area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of rain-shadow desert formation, from winds approaching the coast to the creation of the desert inland across thousands of kilometres. An overview is successfully provided, capturing the overall natural mechanism. However, some parts of the process are developed more fully than others; for instance, the later stages rely heavily on numbered bullet-like points rather than fully integrated descriptive prose. The inclusion of numbers in parentheses (1) through (7) shows a slightly mechanical approach to sequencing rather than fully flowing academic synthesis. To achieve a higher band, the response would need to integrate all stages smoothly into cohesive paragraphs without relying on numbered signposts, while expanding slightly on the atmospheric mechanics occurring at the mountain peak.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement and a clear logical progression from the sea across the mountain range to the inland desert. Paragraphing is used, though the body of the response is fragmented into short, single-sentence paragraphs tied directly to numbered stages. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'The process begins', and 'Consequently' are employed to guide the reader, but referencing and paragraph structuring are at times mechanical. The heavy use of numerical lists interrupts the flow and prevents the cohesion from feeling fully natural and sophisticated. To reach the next level, the writer should group related steps into well-developed thematic paragraphs and ensure seamless transitions between sentences without resorting to numerical markers.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate and appropriate for the task, displaying a sufficient range to allow some precision. The student successfully incorporates less common and topic-specific vocabulary such as 'sequential stages', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'precipitation'. There are occasional slight awkwardnesses in word choice or collocation, such as 'a vast expanded area' instead of 'a vastly expanded area' or 'a vast expanse'. However, these minor errors do not impede communication. Spelling and word forms are generally accurate throughout the response. To move into the higher band, the writer should employ a wider range of sophisticated, less common lexical items with greater flexibility and impeccable collocation control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over structures such as 'As this moist air ascends... it rises and cools.' There are some grammar errors and punctuation slips present, notably a sentence fragment: '(4) Leading to heavy rain falling on the coastal slope' and a minor error in parallel structure in the final sentence ('This prevents precipitation and ultimately giving rise'). Despite these errors, meaning is rarely impeded and communication remains clear. To attain a higher band, the writer must produce a greater proportion of error-free complex sentences and eliminate incomplete dependent clauses that function as main sentences.

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

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