Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-07

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 phases of rain-shadow desert formation.

Overall, its creation consists of seven phases. Mainly involves the approching of winds in the sea dragging the moist air upward and cools to form clouds results in the rainfall. After that, passing of dry air through leeward side of mountain and reach the inland areas to form rain-shadow desert also called dry desert.

At first, the dazzling winds reach the coast and move upward to the mountain until the moist air rises and cools at a ceratin temperature to form the cloud. The cloud formation leads towards rainfalls.This result in falling of rain drops on one side of the mountain.

On the other side, because of the very little moisture presence, no or very light rainfall happens on the leeward side of the mountain that blocks the prevailing wind. In this side temperature becomes warmer as pressure increases resulting in high temperature.Dry winds approach the inland areas from the leeward side result in rain-shadow desert formation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main process from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland, and your overview identifies the sequence and the contrast between rainfall on the windward side and desert formation beyond the mountains. These points are grounded in the diagram. However, some details are unclear or go beyond what is shown: the claim that the air reaches a “certain temperature,” and the explanation that pressure increases and causes higher temperatures, are not indicated. The statement that the leeward side blocks the prevailing wind also misrepresents the diagram, which shows dry air continuing over the mountain. To strengthen the response, describe the stages more precisely and avoid adding unsupported causes. The main features are present, but some are less accurately developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the windward-side stages and then the leeward-side outcome. Sequencing phrases such as “At first” and “On the other side” help the reader follow the process. However, some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “Mainly involves…” and “This result in falling of rain drops,” which interrupt the progression. The overview also compresses several stages into a difficult sentence. Use complete, direct statements and connect each stage explicitly—for example, explain that rising moist air cools, clouds form, and rain falls before the remaining dry air crosses the mountain. This would make the progression smoother and referencing clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “leeward side,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert,” so the topic is generally clear. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, but several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for a scientific process: “dazzling winds,” “winds … dragging the moist air,” “passing of dry air,” and “rainfalls” do not express the stages precisely. Spelling errors such as “approching” and “ceratin” also reduce control. Prefer standard, precise collocations such as “winds approach the coast,” “moist air is forced upwards,” and “precipitation falls.” The range is sufficient to communicate the process, but more accurate word choice and spelling are needed for clearer, more natural reporting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “until,” “because,” and “as,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, sentence construction is often faulty, especially in the overview: “Mainly involves the approching of winds…” is a fragment, while “After that, passing of dry air … and reach…” lacks a clear subject and consistent verb structure. There are also errors in agreement and sentence boundaries, as in “This result in falling…” and “rainfalls.This result.” Some long sentences combine several stages without clear grammatical control. Build each stage around a clear subject and verb, and check agreement, articles, and punctuation—for example, “The remaining dry air crosses the mountain and reaches inland areas.”

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.