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 step by step formation of rain-shadow deserts. Overall, the wind passes by the sea and carries water above for the formation of clouds, but precipitation occurs before it can cross the windward side of the mountains. This results in only the dry air crossing over the mountains on the leeward side and the dry winds reach the rain-shadow desert.

It is clear from the diagram that the winds approach the mountains from the windward side, passing by the sea where on reaching the coast it rises upward carring all the moisture from the sea along with it. As the winds rise, the moist air cools down which results in the formation of the clouds and eventually rainfall occurs. The clouds produce rainfall on the windward side, as it never crosses the other side of the mountain because of it's huge height and vast length of thousands of kilometers.

The dry air then continues to flow over the mountain and reaches the inland areas where the rain-shadow desert begin. Therefore, the land remains barren and dry as all the rainfall occured on the windward side of the mountain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence and give a clear overall account: moist air rises, cools, forms clouds and produces rain on the windward side, while dry air continues inland to the desert. This is relevant and shows the key cause-and-effect relationship. Some details, however, are less fully or accurately explained. The diagram shows winds approaching from the sea and being forced upwards by the mountains; saying they rise “on reaching the coast” makes the trigger less clear. The claim that rain cannot cross because of the mountain’s “huge height and vast length” is not shown as an explanation in the diagram. To strengthen the summary, describe the stages precisely and avoid adding unsupported causes, while retaining the clear overview already provided.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into an introduction and overview followed by a chronological explanation, and the progression from sea to mountain to inland desert is easy to follow. Linking phrases such as “As the winds rise,” “The dry air then,” and “Therefore” help connect the stages. The overview also usefully previews the outcome. Some connections could be more precise: “but precipitation occurs before it can cross the windward side” is confusing because the windward side is the sea-facing slope, not the far side of the mountain. The second paragraph also repeats the cloud-and-rain sequence already stated in the overview. Use clear spatial references and reduce repetition so each paragraph adds distinct information.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms help communicate the diagram’s subject, and the meaning remains clear. However, some choices are imprecise or awkward for a formal process description: “carries water above” is unclear, “passing by the sea” is less exact than describing winds coming from the sea, and “huge height and vast length” adds unsupported emphasis. There are also spelling errors, including “carring” and “kilometers” (the latter is acceptable in American English, but consistency matters). Aim for precise collocations and use the diagram’s labels where possible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including the overview contrast with “but” and the time clause “As the winds rise, the moist air cools down.” Most sentences communicate the process successfully. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in agreement and verb forms: “the rain-shadow desert begin” should be “the rain-shadow desert begins,” and “all the rainfall occured” should be “all the rainfall occurred.” The phrase “where on reaching the coast it rises upward” is also awkwardly structured, making the subject and sequence harder to follow. There is a punctuation issue in “because of it's huge height”; the possessive is “its,” and the clause would benefit from clearer phrasing. Review agreement, past-tense spelling, and sentence boundaries.

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