Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-04

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 delineates the sequential process of the rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the seven-stage procedure commences with the wind approaching along the coatline through sea and culminates in the inland areas via dry winds that travel thousands of kilometers.

In the initial stage, wind travels through the sea and reaches the coast. The wind is then pushed upwards and forms moist air and rises up and slowly cools down. This forms the cloud when it goes higher up the mountain. Following formation through the windward side, rain starts to fall from the top of the mountains.

The dry air continues to flow down the mountain after the rain, which falls to the leeward side of the mountain. The air then converts into dry winds and reaches inland areas and forms a rain-shadow desert. This process takes time as wind travels thousands of kilometers to reach inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the sequential stages of rain-shadow desert formation, supported by a clear overall summary. However, certain parts are under-developed; for instance, the explanation of air cooling and cloud formation lacks full elaboration of the geographical mechanisms shown in the visual. Additionally, the length requirement is not met, as the response falls slightly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 146 words. Despite these minor limitations, the key features of the process—from the initial winds approaching the coast to the creation of the desert inland—are adequately reported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are grouped reasonably into paragraphs that follow the chronological stages of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In the initial stage', 'Following formation', and 'The air then' are used effectively to guide the reader through the process, though referencing is occasionally mechanical. Paragraphing is employed sufficiently to separate the introduction, overview, and the subsequent stages of the natural cycle, contributing to an overall coherent piece of writing.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying the steps of the process with appropriate scientific and geographical terms such as 'sequential process', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, though there are minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'approaching along the coatline through sea' instead of 'across the sea'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, placing the response comfortably within this band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and sequential transition structures successfully. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as awkward phrasing in 'forms moist air and rises up and slowly cools down' and a minor spelling slip in 'coatline', but these errors are infrequent and rarely impede communication. Control over tense and verb agreement is generally maintained throughout the description of the natural process, showing satisfactory command of sentence structure.

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

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