Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-06

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 process of formation of rain shadow desert by a number of steps.

Overall, it consists of multiple steps involving wind reaching on coast area, rising and moisturizing of air, cloud formation and rain fall, reaching of dry air through mountains into inland areas where desert form.

Firstly, wind arrives from ocean to coast where it rises upward along mountains. It become cool and clouds formation occur at windward side of mountains. After that, cloud bursts and raining occur at mountains peak. As a result of this, air become dry and carried to other side of mountains.

After then, dry air continues to move downward along leeward side and ultimately it reaches to inland areas where rain shadow desert forms. Air is moist on windward side where it climbs upward while it is dry on leeward side where it moves downward towards the land. The whole process starting from sea takes thousands of kilometer distance until desert forms on other side of mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages and give a clear overview: moist air rises on the windward side, rain falls, and dry air continues inland to form the desert. The sequence is generally accurate, and the contrast between the two mountain sides is a relevant comparison. This is a strong account of the process, though some details are less fully explained. For example, the diagram shows winds approaching from the sea and being forced upwards by the mountains; your description mentions this, but the causal link could be clearer. “Cloud bursts” also suggests a sudden event not specified in the diagram. To strengthen the response further, describe the stages precisely and avoid adding interpretations beyond the visual information.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement, with an overview followed by the process in sequence and a concluding comparison. Sequencing phrases such as “Firstly,” “After that,” and “After then” help the reader follow the stages. However, some linking is mechanical, and the final two sentences partly repeat information already given about dry air reaching inland areas. The overview also compresses several stages into a long list, making the relationships between them less clear. Use a more direct progression, grouping the windward stages together before explaining the leeward side, and make the final sentence add a distinct point rather than restating the process.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist,” “dry,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the diagram’s key distinctions. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “ultimately” and “formation.” Some choices are inaccurate or awkward, however: “rising and moisturizing of air” does not naturally describe the process, and “cloud bursts” is not the same as clouds forming and rain falling. Phrases such as “rain fall” and “desert forms” also show imprecise word forms or collocations. Aim for standard process language and use the diagram’s labels where they are accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast with “while” and a result clause beginning “As a result of this.” The main sequence remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “It become cool” has incorrect subject–verb agreement, while “clouds formation occur” has problems with number and verb agreement. Articles and sentence structure also need attention in phrases such as “formation of rain shadow desert” and “where desert forms.” The long overview sentence is difficult to control because several stages are joined together. Check agreement and articles, and divide dense sentences so each stage has a clear subject and verb.

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

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