Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-11

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 how rain shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the formation of rain shadow deserts consists of seven stages divided between sea, coast, mountains, inland, and spans for thousands of kilometres.

To begin with, the formation of rain shadow deserts begins when winds approach the coast on a higher level above the sea (stage 1). As a result, the winds get pushed upwards (stage 2), leading to the creation of moist air, this newly transformed air rises and cools towards the windward side of the mountains (stage 3). At this stage, using the air, clouds get formed (stage 4).

Meanwhile, when the clouds are formed, the rain falls on top of the mountains (stage 5). Following this, dry air continues over the mountain down to the leeward side (stage 6). Subsequently, the dry air gets transformed into dry winds. Finally, the dry winds reach inland areas (stage 7).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the full sequence and gives a clear overall statement that the process has seven stages, followed by details from approaching winds to inland dry winds. Most stages match the diagram, including cloud formation and rainfall on the windward side, then dry air crossing the mountain. However, some details are unclear or not fully supported: the claim that winds approach “on a higher level above the sea” is not shown, and “the creation of moist air” suggests the air is created rather than already moist air rising and cooling. The final link to the rain-shadow desert is also not explicitly stated. A more precise overview of the moisture loss across the mountain and its result inland would make the key features more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information is arranged in a sensible sequence, with an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs that move from the sea-facing side of the mountains to the inland side. Connectors such as “To begin with,” “Meanwhile,” “Following this,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the stages. This is a coherent overall arrangement, though some linking is mechanical and the relationship between steps is occasionally awkward. For example, “As a result” introduces the upward movement, while the following sentence joins several stages with a comma and “leading to.” The transition from rainfall to dry air is clear, but the final outcome—the rain-shadow desert—could be linked more explicitly. Varying transitions and separating stage descriptions would improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The response uses an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “approach,” “pushed upwards,” “windward,” “leeward,” and “inland,” and these terms generally communicate the diagram accurately. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “subsequently” and “transformed.” However, some choices are imprecise or unnatural: “the creation of moist air” does not accurately express that moist air rises, and “using the air, clouds get formed” is awkward. “Dry air gets transformed into dry winds” also adds a change that the diagram does not show. Prefer precise process collocations such as “moist air rises,” “clouds form,” and “the air becomes drier.” These refinements would make the vocabulary more accurate and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including the opening overview and clauses linked with “when,” “leading to,” and “Following this.” The sequence remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and awkward constructions persist. In “leading to the creation of moist air, this newly transformed air rises and cools,” two independent clauses are joined with a comma, creating a run-on sentence. “As a result, the winds get pushed upwards” is understandable, but the passive construction is less controlled than a direct description of the process. The phrase “when the clouds are formed, the rain falls” is grammatically possible, though the tense and passive wording are unnecessarily cumbersome for a diagram description. Use accurate present-simple forms and check sentence boundaries when combining stages.

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