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 given process illustrate the various stage involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, showcasing a clear step-by-step progression.

At first glance, it is evident that the entire production consist of seven distinct stages, beginning with approach of the winds at the coastal area and culminating in the dry winds at the leeward side.

To commence the process, the winds above the sea approched to coastal areas,then they are pushed in upward direction near to the mountain lining. Following this, winds absorbed moisture and cooled near the Windward side.Subsequently, clouds are formed as a result of precipitaion from the moistured air.

The next stage involves, rain falled from the clouds at the top edge of the mountaion. Afterwards, the water is converted into dry air and coninues down the mountain from the Leeward side.At the end of the process, wind reached the inland areas, as a result rain-shadow desert is formed.This circular and systematic process ensures the efficient formation of the Rain-shadow desert from the sea winds.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as a sequence and give a clear opening and overview, noting its seven stages and movement from coastal winds towards inland areas. Most key stages are included, including uplift, cloud formation, rainfall and the continuation of air beyond the mountains. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the air does not “absorb moisture and cool” at the windward side; the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, then clouds forming and rain falling. The ending also says the desert is formed as a result, rather than clearly explaining that dry winds reach inland and create the rain-shadow conditions. Develop the causal links and describe the windward-to-leeward contrast more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by stages in chronological order, with paragraph breaks helping to separate the process. Sequencing expressions such as “To commence,” “Following this,” and “At the end” make the progression easy to follow. This shows effective organisation, though some linking is mechanical and a few connections are not logically precise. For example, “clouds are formed as a result of precipitation” reverses the relationship between cloud formation and rainfall, while “The next stage involves” is followed by a comma that interrupts the sentence. Use fewer formulaic transitions and make each link express the actual cause-and-effect relationship.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “culminating,” “progression,” “windward side,” and “leeward side,” and the main subject remains understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing. However, several word choices and spelling errors reduce precision: “winds absorbed moisture” is not the process shown, “precipitaion” is misspelled, and “the water is converted into dry air” is an inaccurate description of the air continuing over the mountain. Some phrases, such as “mountain lining” and “top edge,” are also imprecise for this diagram. Choose standard geographical process terms and check spelling and collocations so that the vocabulary describes each stage accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex opening with “beginning” and “culminating,” and the sequence is generally understandable. However, some grammatical errors recur in verb forms, agreement, articles and punctuation. For instance, “The given process illustrate” needs subject–verb agreement, while “rain falled” and “wind reached” use incorrect or inconsistent past forms for a process description. “The entire production consist” also has an agreement error, and several sentences run together after commas or full stops, as in “areas,then” and “side.At.” Use the present simple consistently for a general process, check singular/plural agreement, and proofread sentence boundaries. These corrections would make your varied structures more controlled.

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