Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-12

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 schematic figure explains the multiple steps involved in the formation of rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the procedure is divided into series of seven interconnected meteorogical and geographical events. The synthesis involves the windward and leeward sides of mountains.

To begin with the left one termed as windward side, the winds approaching the coastal side of sea blow upward. As the elevation increases, the winds start losing heat and the humidity content gradually increase in them. The humid-cool breezes consequently ends up forming clouds. At the peak of mountains, the clouds loose water content by raining subsequently, marking the end of windward steps.

After rainfall, the cooling effect of these winds are finished the resultant dry air continues to fall downward due to low density. Here begins the formation of rain-shadow desert at the leeward part of mountains. The dry winds continue to flow in the descending direction eventually reaching the inland areas. The whole procedure involve winds circulations over the thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main sequence and gives a clear overall account: moist air rises on the windward side, cools, forms clouds and produces rain, after which dry air moves inland. This is relevant and shows a sound understanding of the process. However, some details are less fully or accurately explained. For example, the diagram shows dry air continuing over the mountain and dry winds reaching inland; it does not indicate that the air descends because of low density, or that the cooling effect has finished. The overview also calls the stages “seven interconnected” events without clearly summarising the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and aridity beyond the leeward side. A more precise overview and closer adherence to the labelled stages would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement, moving from an introduction and overview through the windward stages to the inland outcome. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “At the peak,” and “After rainfall” help the reader follow the process. The two main process paragraphs also broadly group related stages. Some connections, however, are awkward or unclear: “After rainfall, the cooling effect of these winds are finished” makes the transition difficult to interpret, and “Here begins the formation” does not clearly identify what “Here” refers to. The overview’s “The synthesis involves” is also an imprecise link to the process. Use direct stage-to-stage transitions and clearer references to the mountain sides to make cohesion more natural and less dependent on formulaic sequencing.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “elevation,” “humidity,” “windward,” “leeward,” “precipitation” (expressed as rainfall), and “inland areas.” These terms help describe the diagram, and the writer attempts more formal wording. Some choices are inaccurate or unnatural, however: “synthesis” does not mean the process shown, “breezes” is not a precise substitute for air or winds, and “winds circulations” is an awkward collocation. Spelling slips such as “meteorogical” and “loose” for “lose” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, conventional process language rather than ornate alternatives, and check spelling and word forms carefully. This would make the description clearer while retaining its formal tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex forms, including time clauses and participial phrasing, as in “As the elevation increases” and “eventually reaching the inland areas.” The sequence remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. In “the humidity content gradually increase,” the singular subject requires “increases”; “the humid-cool breezes consequently ends up” has a plural subject and needs “end up.” The sentence “After rainfall, the cooling effect of these winds are finished” also has a subject–verb agreement error and an unclear construction. There are article and number issues in “divided into series of seven” and “The whole procedure involve.” Review agreement, articles, and singular/plural forms, and simplify sentences when a more elaborate construction makes the relationship between stages unclear.

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