Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-08

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 figure shows the series of steps which take place in a specific order and lead to the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

The process of generation of rain-shadow deserts starts from the winds coming from the ocean. When these winds come closer to the coast of the sea, they are pushed to the vertical direction. These winds continue moving upward while lowering the temperature of air by adding humidity to it. This cool breeze blow upward and results in the production of clouds. Here it starts the rain which falls on the mountains and breaks tiny sand particles from them.

After the rain, as the air becomes less humid or almost dry, it continues to blow over mountain and finally arrive at the inland areas along with the sand particles. The continuous process of winds coming from ocean to inland areas results in the production of rain-shadow desert.

One thing which is worth noticing is that, the production of rain-shadow desert does not take place right next to the coast. It takes place thousands of kilometers away from the coastal area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall sequence from ocean winds to an inland rain-shadow desert, and your final paragraph notes the important distance from the coast. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately explained, which limits how fully the process is reported. For example, the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form and rain falls; the claim that the winds lower the temperature “by adding humidity to it” does not clearly convey this. The statement that rain “breaks tiny sand particles” and that winds carry sand inland is not shown in the diagram. To strengthen the response, describe the windward and leeward sides explicitly, explain that air becomes dry after rainfall, and avoid adding unsupported causes or materials.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall progression: an introduction, a description of the process, and a concluding observation about the desert’s distance inland. Sequencing expressions such as “When,” “After the rain,” and “finally” help the reader follow the stages, and the paragraphs broadly group related information. Some links are less precise, however: “Here it starts the rain” has an unclear reference, and “This cool breeze” does not clearly identify which air or wind is meant. The final “One thing which is worth noticing” also shifts from process description to commentary. Use direct stage-to-stage links and clearer references, and keep the overview integrated with the process account, to make the progression more consistently smooth.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “humidity,” “coast,” “inland areas,” and “continuous process,” and the main subject remains understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “worth noticing.” Some choices are imprecise or unnatural for this diagram: “production” is repeated where “formation” is more suitable, “vertical direction” is awkward, and “breaks tiny sand particles” does not accurately describe the rainfall shown. “Cool breeze” also gives a misleading impression of the air movement. Aim for precise geographical terms and natural collocations, such as “air rises,” “moisture condenses,” and “precipitation falls on the windward slope.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including time clauses (“When these winds come closer…”) and a concluding relative clause (“which is worth noticing”). Most of the meaning can be followed, but some grammatical errors remain. In “This cool breeze blow upward,” the subject and verb do not agree; “blows” is required. “Over mountain” needs an article or plural form, and “finally arrive” does not agree with the singular subject “it.” The sentence beginning “Here it starts the rain” also has an unclear grammatical subject. Review subject–verb agreement, articles with singular countable nouns, and sentence construction around pronouns. More accurate control of these forms would make your varied sentences clearer.

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