Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-07

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 provided diagram illustrates the detailed steps in the formation of a specific desert named the rain-shadow desert.

Overall, in the formation of rain-shadow desert it requires seven natural phenomena in a required sequence. Mountain range plays a crucial role in the formation of this desert because majority of procedures happens due to various mountains.

Initially, the flow of wind approach the sea coast and the slope of mountains push air in upward direction. Afterward, wind reach at higher altitude, which converts the air into a cool moist. As a result, formation of clouds occur, which occurs at the windward side of the mountains. As clouds reach a certain altitude it start raining.

After the raining period, air becomes dry and continues to fall from the opposite side of mountains known as leeward side. Lastly, Dry winds reach inland premises, where the formation of rain-shadow took place. This complete prodecure requires thousands of kilometres of mountain range.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds and uplift to rainfall, dry air crossing the mountains, and the inland desert. The overview also identifies the mountain range as central, and the windward/leeward distinction is included. This gives the account a clear, relevant foundation. Some details, however, are less fully or accurately explained: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, whereas “wind reach at higher altitude, which converts the air into a cool moist” makes that relationship unclear. It also shows dry air continuing over the mountain, not falling down the opposite side, and the final sentence incorrectly suggests the mountain range itself extends thousands of kilometres; the label indicates the horizontal scale. Clarifying these points would make the process more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into an introduction, an overview, and two chronological stages, so the reader can follow the process from the coast to the inland desert. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Afterward,” “As a result,” and “Lastly” help signal progression, and the paragraph break before the leeward stage is appropriate. The progression is generally clear, though some links are repetitive or imprecise: “which occurs” repeats the idea of cloud formation, while “After the raining period” is an awkward transition between rainfall and the movement of dry air. Use fewer repeated connectors and make the cause-and-effect links explicit—for example, explain that rain removes moisture before the air continues over the mountain. This would make cohesion more flexible and less dependent on sequence markers.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “altitude,” and “inland,” which helps communicate the diagram’s stages. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “plays a crucial role.” However, several choices are unnatural or imprecise: “cool moist” does not clearly describe the air, “inland premises” is not suitable for a geographical area, and “raining period” is less natural than a term for precipitation. “Prodecure” is also misspelled, and “rain-shadow” is used where the desert itself is meant. Aim for accurate collocations and standard geographical terms; this will improve precision while retaining the useful range already shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “because,” “which,” and “where,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “the flow of wind approach,” the subject and verb do not agree; “wind reach” and “it start raining” also need singular verb forms. The phrase “it requires seven natural phenomena” has an unclear subject, and “formation … took place” shifts awkwardly into the past tense in an otherwise present-tense process description. Articles and sentence construction also need attention in “in the formation of rain-shadow desert” and “converts the air into a cool moist.” Check agreement, articles, and consistent present tense, and revise complex clauses so their subjects and references are clear.

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