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 diagram illustrates step by step process by which rain-shadow desert forms in the leeward side of a mountain.

Overall, the formation involves seven sequential steps, the moist maritime air is forced upward over mountains, leading to the process by which the substance changes from its gaseous state into a liquid state, rainfall on the windward side slope, subsequent drying winds on the its opposite side, creating dry air island.

To begin with, the winds carrying moisture approach the coast and are pushed upward along the mountain windward slope. As the air rise, it cools, causing water vapours to transform into clouds. It results in heaving rain on the windward side of the mountain.

In contrast, now dry-air continues over the mountain crest, and goes down on the leeward slope, warming and absorbing moisture from the land below. Consequently, the inland area receive only little amount of rainfall, forming a rain-shadow desert, located thousands of kilometers away from sea coast.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response gives a clear account of the main sequence and identifies the key contrast between the wet windward slope and the dry inland leeward area. Details such as moist winds rising, cooling, forming clouds and producing rain are consistent with the diagram, as is the eventual formation of a rain-shadow desert inland. The overview also captures the process as a series of stages. Some details, however, go beyond what is shown: the air is said to warm and absorb moisture from the land, and the desert is described as thousands of kilometres from the coast, although the diagram only labels a horizontal scale of thousands of kilometres. Keep explanations closely tied to the visual evidence and describe the dry air’s movement without adding unsupported causes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised effectively into an introduction, an overview and two stages of the process. Its progression from winds approaching the coast to rainfall, then to dry air moving inland, is easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “To begin with,” “In contrast” and “Consequently” help signal the sequence and contrast. The overview sentence is overloaded, however, combining several stages and the outcome in one long sentence; this makes the central summary less clear. There is also a slightly awkward transition in “In contrast, now dry-air continues,” where the contrast marker and “now” compete. Use shorter, clearly focused sentences and connect each stage with precise sequencing language.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “moist maritime air,” “windward slope,” “leeward slope,” “water vapours” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms show awareness of the topic and allow the main stages to be communicated. Some less common choices are not used accurately or naturally: “substance changes from its gaseous state into a liquid state” is an unnecessarily technical description of condensation, while “dry air island” does not express the intended outcome. Other collocations, such as “heaving rain” and “only little amount of rainfall,” are also awkward. This performance shows adequate range and some attempts at more precise vocabulary, but greater control of collocation and concise process terminology is needed for more flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a range of structures, including a relative clause (“which rain-shadow desert forms”) and participle clauses (“leading to…” and “creating…”). However, errors in sentence construction and agreement are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning less smooth. For example, “step by step process” needs an article, “As the air rise” has incorrect subject–verb agreement, and “the inland area receive” also needs a singular verb. The overview’s long sentence joins several ideas without a clear grammatical structure, and “on the its opposite side” has faulty word order. Work on articles, agreement, and building complex sentences around a clear main clause; this will make the process description more accurate and easier to read.

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