Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 diagram illustrates the formation of a type of desert which is called rain-shadow desert. This desert is formed near a mountain which is linked with a sea.

Overall, the process of the formation of rain-shadow desert is consisted on seven different steps from winds approaching coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. This process contains two sides of the mountain: Winward side and Leeward side.

On the windward side of mountain, winds from above of the sea are approaching coast in the 1st step. After that winds pushed upwards as the mountains are high and here moist air rises and cools and make clouds. In the last step of this side, rain falls on the top of the mountain.

On the other hand, leeward side of mountain have to main steps. In the 6th step, dry air continues over the mountains and then dry winds reaches the inland areas making it the last step of the formation of rain-shadow desert. From winds approaching coast to reaching inland areas as dry, result the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main sequence and identifies the key contrast between the windward and leeward sides. It correctly reports that moist air rises and cools, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air then crosses the mountain towards inland areas. The overview also gives the process as seven steps, which helps address the task. However, some details are less fully or clearly described: the opening says only that the desert forms near a mountain linked with a sea, and the final explanation repeats the sequence without clarifying that the rain-shadow desert lies inland on the leeward side. A more precise overview of how rainfall on the windward side leaves dry air beyond the mountain would make the central cause-and-effect relationship clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate descriptions of the windward and leeward stages. Sequencing phrases such as “After that,” “In the last step,” and “In the 6th step” help the reader follow the process. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical because the account relies heavily on numbered steps and repeated references to “the step.” The final sentence, “From winds approaching coast to reaching inland areas as dry, result the rain-shadow desert,” is difficult to connect grammatically and logically to the preceding explanation. Use clearer cause-and-effect links, and make references such as “this process” or “the resulting dry conditions” explicit so the progression feels smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for describing the diagram, and relevant terms such as “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain falls,” “dry air,” and “inland areas” communicate the main stages. The writer also uses the labels “windward” and “leeward,” showing awareness of the diagram’s specific terminology. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “winds from above of the sea,” “the mountain are high,” and “making it the last step of the formation.” “Winward” is also misspelled, and “rain-shadow desert” is repeated frequently. More precise process language, such as “air rises over the mountain” and “the resulting desert forms inland,” would improve clarity and range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence joined with “as” and a contrast introduced by “On the other hand.” The main stages remain understandable despite some grammatical errors. There are problems with verb forms and agreement, for example “is consisted on,” “leeward side of mountain have,” and “dry winds reaches.” Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or inaccurate, as in “on windward side of mountain” and “winds from above of the sea.” The final sentence is particularly difficult to parse because its clause structure is incomplete. To improve, check subject–verb agreement and use complete clauses, for example: “The dry air continues over the mountain, and the winds then reach the inland areas.”

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