Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-13

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 depicts the rain-shadow desert formation, there are mainly 7 stages in this process. This process is stretched across thousands of kilometres.

It is heavily dependent upon winds. The process of the formation begins in the sea and goes all the way to the Inland where the rain shadow desert is formed.

The process starts at the sea where the wind approaches the coast, when the winds hit the coast it is pushed over the mountains. As the wind is pushed upwards the moist air rises and then cools which leads to the formation of clouds. The major change in both the sides of mountains is the way the wind is travelling.

As seen in the diagram the rain falls occurs after these events at the windward side, After the rainfall the dry air continues over the mountains and go towards the leeward side until the dry air finally reaches the inland areas by going downwards and form the Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence accurately: coastal winds are forced upward, moist air cools and forms clouds, rain falls on the windward side, and dry air continues inland to create the desert. The overview also identifies the process as spanning thousands of kilometres. These details make the response relevant and generally clear. However, the overview could explain the key contrast more explicitly: moisture is lost on the windward side, leaving dry air on the leeward side. The statement that the wind is “heavily dependent” on winds is vague, and the comment about the “major change” in wind direction is not clearly supported by the diagram. Develop the cause-and-effect relationship and describe the windward/leeward contrast more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the diagram’s sequence and is divided into paragraphs, so the reader can trace the process from the sea to the inland desert. Linking expressions such as “As the wind is pushed upwards,” “which leads to,” and “After the rainfall” help connect stages. However, some connections are awkward or unclear: “The major change in both the sides of mountains is the way the wind is travelling” interrupts the process description without clearly explaining the contrast. The opening also joins two complete ideas with a comma. Use paragraphing to distinguish the overview from the detailed stages, and make each transition show a clear cause-and-effect relationship rather than relying on repeated “process” references.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “approaches the coast,” “pushed upwards,” “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms show awareness of the diagram’s labels, and the meaning is generally clear. There is also some variation in how stages are described, such as “formation of clouds” and “rain falls.” To make the description more precise and natural, improve a few collocations and avoid vague wording. For example, “heavily dependent upon winds” does not clearly describe the process, while “the major change” is imprecise. More exact terms such as “moisture-laden air,” “precipitation,” and “loses moisture” would strengthen the technical description and show greater control of word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “where,” “when,” and “which,” and the sequence is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “there are mainly 7 stages,” the comma joins two independent clauses; use a full stop or a linking word. “The winds hit the coast it is pushed” shifts from plural to singular and needs clearer sentence structure. Later, “the dry air continues … and go” has a subject–verb agreement error, and “the rain falls occurs” combines incompatible verb forms. Capitalisation is also inconsistent in “Inland” and “Rain-shadow desert.” Check agreement and verb forms, and punctuate longer sentences carefully so that complex structures remain controlled.

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