Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-09

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 illustration provides sequential steps involved in the process of formation of a rain-shadow, starting with approach of moist air converting it to the dry wind reaching to the inland.

Overall, the process consists of several clearly defined stages including key points and transitions.

To begin with, the winds over the sea approach the coast and push upwards to the mountains. During that time, the moist air cools down as it rises to the top of the mountain through windward side and forms into clouds. The atmosphere morphs into rain as the clouds deform into water droplets.

After the rain, the dry air continues downwards through leeward side to reach the inland regoin. As it travels thousands of kilometers, the formation of moist air to dry air takes place. Since the dry air reaches the inland area from the sea breeze, it forms into a type of desert called a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds rising over the mountains to rain on the windward side and dry air reaching inland, and you identify the resulting rain-shadow desert. This gives the reader a relevant account of the process. The overview, however, is general: “several clearly defined stages” does not summarise the key contrast between moisture being released on the windward side and dry air descending on the leeward side. Some details are also unclear or imprecise, such as saying the atmosphere “morphs into rain” and that the air travels thousands of kilometres; the diagram labels this as the horizontal scale, not explicitly the distance travelled by the air. A sharper overview and more exact stage descriptions would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall progression, with an opening, a brief overview, and two paragraphs following the process from the sea to inland areas. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with” and “After the rain” help the reader follow the stages. However, the overview is vague, and some links between ideas are not fully clear. For example, “During that time” does not specify which stage it refers to, while “As it travels thousands of kilometers” makes the scale label sound like a journey distance. The final sentence also repeats the inland/desert outcome rather than adding a distinct concluding point. More precise referencing and clearer links between each cause and effect would strengthen the progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also an attempt to vary wording through terms such as “sequential steps” and “transitions.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this process: clouds do not “deform into water droplets,” and the atmosphere does not “morphs into rain”; rain forms from moisture in clouds. “Reaching to the inland” and “inland regoin” also show imprecise phrasing and spelling. The range is adequate, but greater control of collocations and accurate process verbs would make the description more precise and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including clauses with “as” and “since,” and the sequence is generally understandable. Some sentences are grammatically controlled, such as “After the rain, the dry air continues downwards through leeward side to reach the inland…” However, errors remain in sentence construction and grammatical patterns. In “starting with approach of moist air converting it to the dry wind,” the relationship between the actions is unclear, and “the moist air cools down as it rises to the top of the mountain through windward side” has missing articles. The final sentence also shifts awkwardly from “air” to “it” and uses a cause-and-result structure that is difficult to follow. More accurate articles, pronoun reference, and clause construction would improve control.

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