Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-02

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 demonstrates how a rain-shadow desert is formed. Overall, the process consists of three main stages. Begins with approaching of winds to the mountain on the windward side, cloud formation and rainfall, and reaching of dry winds to leeward side of the mountain, forming the rain-shadow desert.

In the beginning, winds from the sea moves towards the mountain and reaches a coast . The wind is then pushed upwards, while becoming moist and cool. As the temperature gets cold, the air consisting of moisture form clouds to rain on the windward side.

After the rainfall, the air becomes dry and continue to flow over mountain into downward direction on the leeward side. Since, the wind has lose its moisture, it has turned into dry air which eventually reaches the inland area. As a result, the land receives no perception over a long distance, leading to formation of the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response gives a clear account of the main process: sea winds move towards the mountains, rise and produce clouds and rain on the windward side, then continue as dry air towards the inland desert. The overview identifies the key contrast between rainfall before the mountain and dry conditions beyond it, and the stages are generally grounded in the diagram. Some details are less precise: the air is described as becoming moist while rising, whereas the diagram specifically shows moist air rising and cooling; also, “the land receives no perception” does not clearly report the absence of rain. To strengthen the account, describe the cooling and rainfall sequence precisely and avoid implying that the entire inland area receives no precipitation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into an overview followed by two chronological paragraphs, and the progression from coastal winds to the inland desert is easy to follow. Sequencing phrases such as “In the beginning,” “After the rainfall,” and “As a result” help connect the stages. The overview’s sentence beginning “Begins with” is incomplete, however, and the transition from the wind becoming dry to the claim about the land receiving no rain is not expressed clearly. Some linking is also slightly mechanical. For a more controlled progression, make each stage a complete sentence and use clear references to distinguish the rising moist air from the dry air that crosses the mountain.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is adequate vocabulary for describing the process, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” and “inland area.” These terms show some awareness of the topic-specific language needed for a diagram. However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward: “perception” appears to be intended as “precipitation,” “the air has lose its moisture” is not a natural expression, and “reaching of dry winds” is an unnatural noun phrase. “The temperature gets cold” is also less precise than language describing air cooling. Aim for accurate collocations and word forms, especially when naming the stages and outcomes; this would make the description more precise without requiring a much wider vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and complex structures, including a time clause (“As the temperature gets cold”) and a result clause (“leading to formation…”). However, errors in sentence formation and verb control remain noticeable. The overview fragment “Begins with approaching…” has no clear subject, and “winds from the sea moves” has a subject–verb agreement error. Other examples include “air … form clouds,” “air … continue,” and “the wind has lose,” where agreement or verb forms are incorrect. There are also punctuation and article problems, such as the space before the full stop in “coast .” and “leading to formation.” Use complete clauses with consistent subjects, check singular/plural agreement, and review past participles after “has.”

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