Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 a desert formation, known as a rain-shadow desert in 7 linear steps.

Overall, the rain-shadow desert formation is a linear, multi stage process involves 7 distinct stages including thousands of kilometres wide mountain area to complete. Upon closer inspection the process involves two main layouts, windward side and leenward side. Windward side includes 5 initial stages while leenward side involves 2 final steps.

Regarding the windward side, the process begins with winds travel through the coast then pushed upwards to the wall of the mountains. Afterwards, the air become moist and cools as it rises. Slowly the cloud formation starts and when the cloud become heavy, it rains.

On regards to the leenward side, dry air continues to flow downwards from the mountain peak. As the downward wind flow reaches the bottom of the mountain, the formation of desert starts. Finally, the inland area fills with dry winds and form the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response covers the main sequence and gives a clear overview by identifying the process as seven stages and distinguishing the windward and leeward sides. It accurately reports the key transition from moist air rising and producing rain to dry air continuing inland, where the desert forms. This is a strong account of the diagram’s central features. However, some details are imprecise: the mountains are not described as “thousands of kilometres wide”; the label indicates the horizontal distance shown, not the width of the mountain area. The account also says the air becomes moist, whereas the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling. Clarifying these points and describing the wind’s movement more precisely would make the report more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is organised clearly: an introduction and overview are followed by separate descriptions of the windward and leeward stages. The sequence is easy to follow, and transitions such as “Afterwards,” “On regards to,” and “Finally” help signal progression. The division into two sides also gives the reader a useful framework for understanding the process. Some linking is less natural or slightly repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “process” and the formulaic transitions. The overview’s reference to “two main layouts” is also less clear than calling them two sides or phases. More precise referencing and smoother links between stages would make the cohesion more flexible and less noticeable.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “distinct stages,” “windward,” “downwards,” and “inland,” and the main meaning remains clear. It also attempts more specific terms such as “linear” and “multi stage.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “leenward” is misspelled, “two main layouts” does not describe the mountain sides well, and “the wall of the mountains” is an imprecise description. Phrases such as “the cloud become heavy” and “inland area fills with dry winds” are understandable but not idiomatic. Greater control of collocations and accurate spelling of key geographical terms would improve precision and flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, for example, “Afterwards, the air become moist and cools as it rises.” The sequence is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. In the overview, “a linear, multi stage process involves” needs a relative clause or a different sentence structure, and “windward side includes” would be clearer with an article. Verb forms and agreement are also inconsistent: “winds travel … then pushed upwards,” “the air become,” and “the cloud become” need corrected forms. The sentence beginning “when the cloud become heavy” also needs clearer agreement and punctuation. More reliable control of clauses, articles, and verb forms would strengthen accuracy.

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