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 illustration depicts the formation process of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process starts from the sea, where air flows uphill a mountain, forming clouds and ultimately showers the moisture in the form of a rain when it reach the top of the mountain. The air after loosing all its moister content moves down the other side of the mountain to reach inlands and form rain-shadow desert.

First, moist air from the sea start flowing towards the coast. The winds start upward motion when it strike the mountain and on its way upward, it cools and form clouds. The clouds shower rain as it reach the top of the mountain. All this process occurs on the windward side of the mountain.

On the leeward side, the dry air left after the rainfall moves down the mountain and flows through the plain areas to reach inland and form rain-shadow desert, at a location that is thousands of kilometers away from the sea.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response gives a clear overview of the main sequence: moist air arrives from the sea, rises and produces rain on the windward side, then dry air travels inland to create the desert. It also correctly identifies the leeward side and the great distance from the sea. These details address the key features of the diagram and are extended in the two process paragraphs. Some descriptions are slightly imprecise: the air does not simply “reach the top” before rain falls; the diagram shows cooling and cloud formation as it rises, followed by precipitation over the windward slope and peak. The overview could also state more directly that the mountain creates a wet windward side and a dry leeward region. Overall, the process is accurately and clearly summarised, with only modest scope for greater precision.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised effectively, with an introduction, a separate overview and two paragraphs that follow the process from the sea to the inland desert. Sequencing expressions such as “First,” “On the leeward side,” and “after the rainfall” help the reader follow the stages, while the contrast between the two mountain sides is clear. The progression is logical throughout, and the final sentence appropriately completes the account by locating the desert inland. Cohesion is occasionally less smooth because “the air” is repeated and some links are embedded in long sentences, particularly in the overview. To strengthen the flow further, use more precise references such as “this descending air” and divide the overview’s sequence into clearer stages. The overall organisation remains clear and purposeful.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for describing this process, and the response uses relevant terms such as “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “rain-shadow desert,” and “inland.” These choices show awareness of the diagram’s subject-specific language. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “shower the moisture in the form of a rain” and “flows through the plain areas” are less natural ways to describe precipitation and the air’s movement. There are also spelling or word-form slips, including “loosing” for “losing” and “moister” for “moisture.” Aim for precise process vocabulary, for example “precipitation falls” and “dry air descends,” and check spelling carefully. Meaning is generally clear despite these errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “where,” “when,” and “after,” and the sequence is usually understandable. However, some errors in verb forms, agreement and articles remain. For example, “air flows uphill a mountain” needs a preposition, while “when it strike the mountain” should use a verb agreeing with “it.” In “as it reach the top,” the verb form is also incorrect, and “a rain” uses an unnecessary article. The overview’s long sentence combines several stages and makes these errors more noticeable. Use consistent present simple forms for a process description, check singular subjects, and separate stages into shorter clauses. The range of structures is evident, but more reliable control is needed for the sentences to read smoothly.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.