Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-20

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 the process of the formation of rain-shadow deserts which includes, clouds formation, rainfall and dry winds.

Overall, it can be clearly seen that this is a mixed stage linear process with seven main stages. It begins with winds approach to coastal areas and concludes with the day winds reach inland areas forming rain-shadow desert.

Initally, the process starts at the sea level where the winds approach to the coast which is directed upwards by the sea. While being pushed towards the mountains, air starts to get moisture due to high altitude, where it cools enough to form clouds. On the windward side of the mountian, denser clouds burst into rain. Due to low temperature at the mountains that rain turns into snow which falls on top of the mountain.

On the leaward side, dry air continues to pass over the mountain which forms high pressured dry winds reaching in inland areas. That dried air caused by the rainfall, eventually forms a rain shadow desert. This whole process take over thousands of kilometres to complete.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence and provide a clear overview: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountains, produce rain, and continue inland as dry air. This gives the reader the central cause-and-effect pattern shown in the diagram. Some details, however, are less accurate or developed. The diagram says winds are pushed upwards by the mountains, not by the sea, and it does not show rain turning into snow or specify that clouds are denser. The claim that the process begins “at sea level” and that dry winds form the desert could be expressed more precisely: the diagram shows dry winds reaching inland, where the rain-shadow desert is located. The overview is relevant, but accurate reporting of the labelled stages would strengthen it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence, with an overview followed by the windward-side stages and then the leeward-side outcome. Linking phrases such as “While being pushed towards the mountains” and “On the leeward side” help show how the process progresses. The paragraphing is also appropriate for separating the overview from the detailed account. Some connections are less clear or slightly mechanical, however. For example, “That dried air caused by the rainfall” makes the relationship between rainfall and dry air difficult to follow, and “which is directed upwards by the sea” creates an unclear reference. Use more precise links between each stage, and ensure pronouns and relative clauses clearly refer to the intended feature.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” “altitude,” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms help describe the diagram, and the meaning is generally understandable. There are some inaccurate or unnatural choices that limit precision: “clouds formation” is an awkward form, “high pressured dry winds” is not a natural collocation, and “day winds” appears to be a mistaken word choice for “dry winds.” Spelling slips such as “Initally,” “mountian,” and “leaward” also reduce accuracy. Aim for consistent, standard terminology and check spelling; avoid adding technical descriptions such as “high pressure” unless the diagram supports them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning “While” and “where,” and most of the process remains understandable. Some grammatical errors occur, but they do not generally prevent the reader from following the sequence. Examples include “winds approach” after “It begins with,” where the verb form should be “winds approaching,” and “This whole process take,” which needs subject–verb agreement (“takes”). The sentence “On the windward side of the mountian, denser clouds burst into rain” also has an unclear construction, while “reaching in inland areas” contains an incorrect preposition pattern. Review verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction, especially when combining several stages in one sentence.

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