Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-12

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 given diagram illustrates the stages of forming a rain shadow desert.

Overall,the process combines of 7 distinct stages,commencing with the approaching of winds to the coast andculminating in forming the desert by dry winds reaching inland areas.

In the beggining of the process,winds approach the coast area close to the sea and attached to the mountain.Then the winds pushes upward to carry on the cycle ,after that as the winds reach upwards the air becomes moist and cools down.Following that,when the air comes to the windward side of the mountains clouds start to form.Eventually because of clouds rain falls happen.

Simultaneously,over the mountain dry air starts to flow over the leeward side of the mountains.To mention specifically,there remains thousand of kilometres distance between the sea coastal area and the inland area .Subsequently following the flows finally dry winds get to the inland area and finally the circle ends by forming of rain shadow desert

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response identifies the diagram as a process and gives a clear overall sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland and the desert forming. It also reports the main stages of uplift, cooling, cloud formation and rainfall, so the account is relevant and covers the process. However, some details are unclear or imprecise: “the air becomes moist” does not clearly explain that moist air rises and cools, and the statement about “thousand of kilometres distance” is not integrated into the process or explained as the diagram’s horizontal scale. The windward and leeward sides are mentioned, but their roles could be described more precisely. A more complete account would clarify how rain on the windward side leaves dry air to continue inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological description of the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “In the beginning,” “Following that,” and “Subsequently” help the reader follow the process. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, with several transitions packed into long sentences, and the final paragraph shifts abruptly to the distance label before returning to the sequence. Some references are also unclear, as in “after that as the winds reach upwards” and “following the flows.” Separate the stages into clearer sentences and connect the inland dry-air movement directly to the rainfall on the windward side. This would make the progression smoother and the relationships between stages easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is adequate vocabulary for describing the process, including “coast,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist,” “dry air,” and “inland.” The writer also attempts more formal process language, such as “commencing” and “culminating.” However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “the process combines of 7 distinct stages,” “rain falls happen,” and “the circle ends by forming of” do not express the intended meaning naturally. There are also spelling errors, including “beggining,” and imprecise repetition of “finally.” Use standard process collocations such as “consists of seven stages,” “rainfall occurs,” and “the process ends with the formation of a desert.” These changes would improve precision while retaining the relevant range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “when” and “as,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, some grammatical errors recur in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction. For example, “the winds pushes upward” should use a plural verb, while “the process combines of” has an incorrect construction. The sentence beginning “Following that, when the air comes…” is not smoothly structured, and “there remains thousand of kilometres distance” has problems with number and article use. Punctuation and spacing also need attention, particularly where commas run into the next word. Aim for shorter, controlled sentences and check subject–verb agreement, verb patterns and articles; this will make the sequence clearer without sacrificing complex structures.

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.