Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-07

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 6.0)

The figure illustrates the processes of a desert creation which is known as rain shadow desert.

Overall, the process consist of 7 steps, starting with the approach of the wind towards the coast and ending with the dry wind flowing over the inland areas.

As the wind approches towards the coast by flowing over the sea, it absorb moisture and then the mountain push this upward. As the air went up, the temperature drops, the air containing moisture cools down and rise up. Then this moist air form clouds over the windward side and goes up more and fall as rain. On the other side of the mountain, which is known as leeward side, dry air flows over this side. As the air flow over the mountain, after a certain time it reaches the inland areas. Then the dry air flow over the area and the area is known as rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response identifies the diagram as a seven-stage process and gives a clear overall direction, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland areas. It also includes the key contrast between the windward and leeward sides and links the latter to the rain-shadow desert. However, some stages are not fully or precisely reported: the account says the wind absorbs moisture over the sea, which is not explicitly shown, and it does not clearly explain that rising moist air cools, forms clouds and produces rain before the remaining dry air crosses the mountain. The final description also repeats that dry air flows over the inland area rather than clearly summarising the desert’s location. A more exact account of these cause-and-effect stages would make the coverage more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence, with an introduction, an overview and a chronological description of the process. Connectors such as “As,” “Then” and “On the other side” help the reader follow the movement from the coast across the mountain. However, the body is presented as one long paragraph, and some links are repetitive or imprecise. For example, “As the air went up” and “rise up” repeat the same movement, while “As the air flow over the mountain, after a certain time it reaches the inland areas” makes the relationship between stages less direct. Use clearer sentence boundaries and references, and group the windward-side stages separately from the leeward-side outcome to improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for describing the process, and the response uses relevant terms such as “moisture,” “windward side,” “leeward side” and “rain shadow desert.” These choices show some awareness of the topic-specific language needed. There are, however, several inaccurate or awkward expressions, including “desert creation,” “the mountain push this upward” and “goes up more and fall as rain.” Spelling errors such as “approches” also reduce accuracy. Some repetition of “air,” “flows” and “area” limits variety. Aim for more precise process verbs and natural collocations—for example, describe air as being forced upwards, cooling and condensing, then state that dry air descends or continues inland.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “As” and “which,” and the overall meaning remains understandable. However, errors occur in verb agreement and tense, as in “the process consist,” “it absorb moisture,” “the mountain push” and “the air flow.” There is also inconsistent tense use in “As the air went up” within a present-tense process description, and the sentence “the air containing moisture cools down and rise up” does not maintain agreement between its verbs. Some sentence structures are awkwardly joined, particularly “As the air flow over the mountain, after a certain time it reaches…” Practise consistent present simple forms and check that each subject agrees with every verb; clearer sentence boundaries would also improve control.

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