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 given illustration depicts the formation of the rain-shadow desert. Overall, the humid winds from the sea hit the side of mountains that is facing the see, named as windward side, and pours on that side, whereas on the other side, mentioned as Leeward side, gets only dry air and as a result a desert is formed.

Initially, winds from the sea moves toward the mountains. Then these winds are carried upward along the slope of the mountain, followed by the cooling of the air at higher altitudes. As a result of clouds are formed, which after hitting the peak of mountain cause rainfall. Next, the left over water deprived air moves downward along the Leeward side. Finally that reaches the plains of the Leeward side and thus, form dried area known as a rain-shadow desert.

In summary, the moistures soaked up by the air is converted to clouds on the Windward side of the mountains and after raining, the remaing dried air reaches on other side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response covers the main stages and gives a clear overall account: moist sea air rises on the windward side, rain falls, and dry air continues inland to create a desert. The sequence is generally accurate, and the overview identifies the contrast between the two sides of the mountains. Some details, however, are imprecise: the diagram shows dry air continuing over the mountain and reaching inland, while “moves downward along the Leeward side” and “reaches the plains” add specifics not clearly shown. The final summary repeats the process rather than adding a distinct key feature, and “moistures soaked up by the air” does not accurately describe the diagram. More precise reporting of the stages and the thousands-of-kilometres scale would strengthen the account.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is arranged in a clear progression, moving from the initial winds to uplift, cooling, rainfall and the formation of the inland desert. “Initially,” “Then,” “As a result,” “Next” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process, and the opening overview establishes the main contrast. The paragraphing is also functional, separating the overview from the sequence. However, the final “In summary” paragraph largely repeats the opening and preceding explanation, so it does not add much to the organisation. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “which after hitting the peak of mountain cause rainfall” and “that reaches the plains,” where the reference and relationship between ideas could be expressed more smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “humid winds,” “windward side,” “Leeward side,” “higher altitudes” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms help describe the diagram, and the writer attempts some less common phrasing. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “pours on that side” is not a suitable description of rainfall, “water deprived air” is awkward, and “dried area” is less precise than a term for an arid region. Spelling errors such as “see” for “sea” and “remaing” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise collocations and consistent technical wording, rather than forcing complex phrases that do not fit the process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex structures, including sequencing clauses and cause-and-effect sentences. Meaning is generally recoverable, but some grammatical errors occur across the response. For example, “winds from the sea moves” has subject–verb disagreement, while “As a result of clouds are formed” uses an incorrect clause pattern. In “which after hitting the peak of mountain cause rainfall,” the clause has problems with word order, article use and agreement. The final sentence, “the moistures soaked up by the air is converted,” also has an unclear construction and agreement error. Work on agreement, articles and forming subordinate clauses accurately; these corrections would make the process description easier to read.

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

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