Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-14

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 process of how rain-shadow deserts are formed with the help of sea winds. The procedure contains seven steps starting from the sea wind approaching coast and ending reaching the inland areas.

Begining from the sea winds approaching the coast are pushed upwards the windward side of the mountain. The air gets cool and moist throughout the way which causes the formation of clouds. After clouds are formed, rainfall occurs as a result in the windward side of the mountain.

Afterwards, the remaining dry air climbs upto the mountain and reaches the leeward side of the mountain climbing downwards to the inland areas. Due to this process, the inland areas are found mostly dry and rough. In contrast to leeward side, windward area of the mountains are generally more moist and cooler. The winds from sea travells thousands of kilometers to finally reach the Inland areas.

In conclusion, the process of formation of rain-shadow deserts are described step-by-step.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland, and you identify the contrast between the wetter windward side and the dry leeward region. This gives the response a clear account of the process. Some details, however, are less fully or precisely reported: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, while “the air gets cool and moist throughout the way” blurs that sequence. The statement that inland areas are “rough” is not shown, and the conclusion repeats that the process is step-by-step rather than adding an overview of the key cause-and-effect pattern. To strengthen the report, describe the mountain’s role in forcing moist air upward and explain how rain on the windward side leaves dry winds to continue inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible order: an introduction, the stages before rainfall, the movement beyond the mountain, and a concluding sentence. Connectors such as “After” and “Afterwards” help signal the sequence, and the windward/leeward contrast gives the final body paragraph a useful focus. However, the progression is occasionally mechanical, with repeated references to “the mountain” and “the process,” and the conclusion largely restates the introduction. Some links between stages could be clearer—for example, explicitly showing that the air becomes dry after rain falls before it crosses the mountain. More precise referencing and a concise overview would make the organisation feel more controlled and cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “windward,” “leeward,” “rainfall,” and “inland areas,” so the topic is generally clear. There are also attempts to vary expression, such as “remaining dry air” and “in contrast.” However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise: “sea winds” is less natural than “winds from the sea,” and “the air gets cool and moist throughout the way” does not clearly express the diagram’s sequence. “Rough” is not an appropriate description of the inland area based on the visual. Spelling errors such as “Begining” and “travells” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process verbs and check spelling and natural word combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the relative clause in “which causes the formation of clouds” and the contrast structure “In contrast to…”. Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “The procedure contains seven steps starting from the sea wind approaching coast and ending reaching” has an awkward, incomplete parallel structure; “the formation … are described” has subject–verb disagreement; and “windward area … are” also mismatches singular and plural. Articles and prepositions are sometimes missing or awkward, as in “approaching coast” and “in the windward side.” Use consistent plural subjects where appropriate and check agreement, articles, and parallel verb forms.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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