Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-27

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 picture illustrates the formation of well-known type of desert , a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, beginning with winds approaching coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas. It is a linear process. Moreover, windsand dry air are major means in the formation of the desert. While the most important stage is the rain in the windward side of the mountain.

At the first stage, winds approach coast of sea. Following this, winds are pushed upward, after which moist air rises and cools in windward side of mountains. The clouds are formed then rain falls before air being transferred to leeward side of mountain. The major stage is rain fall in the windward side of the mountain.

In the subsequent stage, dry air continues over leeward side of the mountain. Once this has been completed, dry winds move to inland areas. Finally, movement of winds across thousands of kilometers results in a rain-shadow desert. The linear process of formation of the rain-shadow desert ends at this stage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence accurately, from winds approaching the coast through uplift, cooling, cloud formation and rainfall to dry air reaching inland areas. The overview identifies the seven stages and the linear nature of the process, and you correctly distinguish the windward and leeward sides. This gives the account a clear foundation. Some details are less fully or precisely explained, however: the role of the mountain in forcing the air upwards could be made explicit, and the final link between dry winds and the formation of the rain-shadow desert is asserted rather than explained. The repeated claim that rainfall is the “most important stage” is not clearly supported by the diagram. A more neutral overview and fuller explanation of how the stages create the desert would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing the stages. Connectors such as “Following this,” “In the subsequent stage” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. The progression is generally clear, although some linking feels mechanical and the overview repeats information later, particularly the emphasis on rainfall as the “major” or “most important” stage. There is also a slightly unclear transition in “before air being transferred to leeward side,” which makes the relationship between rainfall and the air’s movement less smooth. To improve, use references such as “the remaining dry air” to connect stages precisely, and avoid repeating points already stated in the overview.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “dry winds” and “inland areas,” which allows you to describe the diagram’s key features. There is also some variety in how stages are introduced. However, a few choices are imprecise or repetitive: “major means” is awkward for describing the forces involved, and “the major stage” repeats the earlier “most important stage” without adding meaning. Some collocations, such as “winds approach coast of sea” and “rain fall,” are not natural in this context. Aim for precise process language and natural combinations, for example describing winds approaching from the sea and precipitation falling on the windward slope.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including the overview sentence beginning “While” and the sequence clause “Once this has been completed.” Most stages remain understandable, and the process is generally expressed in the present tense. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with articles and sentence construction: “approaching coast” needs an article, and “in windward side of mountains” needs a more complete prepositional phrase. “While the most important stage is the rain…” is a fragment because the dependent clause is not joined to a main clause. The phrase “before air being transferred” also has an incorrect verb pattern. Review articles, clause completeness and verb forms, while retaining the complex structures you have attempted.

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.