Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-24

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 give image illustrates, how a particular type of desert, referred as rain-shadow desert, is created. The representation depicts how landscape is formed.

From overview, the main reason for the formation of this desert is blockage of sea wind by large montains,resulting in less to no rainfall. Hence these deserts are formed.

First the winds flow for sea to the coast, from there they are pushed upwards along the mountain surface. When the air reaches higher altitude its temperature is reduced and clouds are formed. when it reaches a certain threshold point it starts raining on the windward side of the mountain

On the leeward side, the dry air continiues along the mountain surface. When the air reaches the land on the other side of the mountain they are dry and moisture less leading to less to no rain fall. After a prolonged period of time, a rain shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response clearly describes the main sequence and gives a relevant overview: moist sea air is forced up the mountains, rain falls on the windward side, and dry air reaches the inland leeward side, creating the desert. These points match the diagram and address the task. The explanation is generally extended rather than merely listing labels. However, the overview’s claim that the mountains block the sea wind is somewhat over-generalised: the diagram shows air continuing over the mountain after losing moisture, not being blocked. The final statement that the desert forms “after a prolonged period of time” is also an added explanation not shown in the visual. Keep the account tightly tied to the illustrated stages and distinguish the windward and leeward effects precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information follows a sensible sequence, moving from the sea and coast to the mountain and then inland, and the paragraph break separates the overview from the process details. Linking expressions such as “First,” “from there,” and “On the leeward side” help the reader follow the stages. This gives the response a coherent overall arrangement. To make progression more consistently smooth, use clearer transitions between the cooling, cloud formation and rainfall stages, and avoid the abrupt shift into “When it reaches a certain threshold point.” The overview also repeats the idea of desert formation in “Hence these deserts are formed,” which adds little. More precise referencing and less repetition would strengthen cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “higher altitude,” “moisture” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms help communicate the process, and the meaning remains clear despite some imprecise choices. However, several phrases are awkward or inaccurate for this diagram: “blockage of sea wind” suggests the wind stops, while “moisture less” and “less to no rainfall” are not natural collocations. Spelling slips such as “montains” and “continiues” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process language and check spelling; for example, describe air as “losing moisture” before it “continues inland as dry air.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex structures, including a time clause (“When the air reaches higher altitude…”) and a result construction (“leading to less to no rain fall”). The sequence is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. The opening has an unnecessary comma in “illustrates, how,” and “From overview” needs an article or a more natural construction. There are also sentence-boundary and capitalisation problems: “clouds are formed. when it reaches…” should begin a new sentence with a capital, while the final sentence shifts awkwardly from singular “air” to plural “they.” Review articles, punctuation and pronoun agreement, and build complex sentences with clear subjects and clauses.

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

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