Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-05

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 describes the process of formation of a desert which is also called as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it is a linear and natural process which contain seven steps to form a rain-shadow desert. The process of formation begins when winds approaching a coast and ends when dry winds reached the inland areas.

Initially, winds approach the coast from the sea and pushed in upward direction to the windward side of the mountain. While moving upward, winds air temperature cools down and become moist. Hence, clouds are formed from moist air and rain starts to fall at the windward side of mountain.

On the leeward side, the dry air continues to move over mountain as it goes down and after travelling thousands of kilometers dry winds reach an inland areas. Consequently, rain-shadow desert is formed by the winds that travel all the way from sea to inland areas, crossing the mountains and become dry.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence and provide a clear overview: the process has seven stages, beginning with winds approaching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas. The account also correctly distinguishes the windward side, where clouds and rain form, from the leeward side, beyond which the air is dry. This gives the reader a sound understanding of the diagram. Some details are less fully or precisely explained, however. For example, the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, whereas “winds air temperature cools down and become moist” makes the change less clear. The final explanation also repeats the journey rather than clarifying how the dry conditions create the desert. More precise reporting of these stages would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is organised into a brief introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs that follow the process from the coast to the inland area. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “Initially,” “Hence,” and “Consequently” help guide the reader, and the stages are presented in a generally logical order. This is a coherent overall arrangement. At times, however, the links feel mechanical or the references are not fully clear: “While moving upward” does not clearly identify whether the winds or the air is moving, and “On the leeward side” introduces the next stage without smoothly connecting it to the preceding rainfall. The final sentence also repeats information already given. Use clearer references and more varied links between stages to make progression more fluent.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms show awareness of the diagram’s subject, and the meaning is generally understandable. There are some inaccurate or unnatural choices that limit precision, such as “called as,” “winds air temperature,” and “in upward direction.” “Dry air continues to move over mountain as it goes down” also describes the movement imprecisely. Aim for natural collocations and accurate word forms, especially when describing scientific processes. For instance, use “known as” rather than “called as,” and describe air as rising, cooling, and losing moisture. This would make the account more concise and precise without requiring a much broader vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including “While moving upward…” and “Consequently…,” and the overall meaning remains clear. However, some errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction prevent more consistent accuracy. For example, “which contain seven steps” should use a singular verb, while “winds approaching a coast and pushed” mixes verb forms and omits a clear auxiliary. In “winds air temperature cools down and become moist,” the subject and verb relationships are unclear. There are also article and number issues in “an inland areas” and “over mountain.” Review subject–verb agreement and keep the same tense and grammatical structure throughout each process description. More accurate control of these patterns would improve readability.

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