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 provided diagram illustrates the formation of rain-shadow deserts, depicting the various stages involved in this natural process. Overall, it is evident the process consists seven major steps, beginning with wind approach coast over a mountain range and ending with the formation of a rain-shadow desert. It is a relatively lengthy process.To begin with, moist winds approach the coast from the sea and forced upwards by the mountain range. In the third stage was moist air rises and gradually cools as it reaches highly altitudes. Next stage, the cooling and condensation of moist air leads to cloud formation. After cloud formation, rain falls on the windward side of the mountain.

In the sixth stage, dry air continues over the mountain. The dry air then descends on the leeward side of the mountain, creating a dry region. In the seventh stage, the dry air reaches inland areas, resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main sequence and gives an overall account, identifying wind from the sea, uplift over the mountains, cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and the movement of dry air inland. This is relevant and generally accurate. However, some stages are described less fully: the overview says the process ends with the desert, but does not clearly summarise the contrast between rain on the windward side and dry conditions beyond the leeward side. The claim that the process is “relatively lengthy” is not supported by the diagram, which instead indicates a horizontal distance of thousands of kilometres. Also, the final desert is presented as resulting from dry air reaching inland, without explaining the rain-shadow effect. A more precise overview and clearer explanation of this cause-and-effect relationship would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information is arranged in a broadly logical sequence, moving from the approaching winds through rainfall to the dry air and inland desert. The opening overview and the use of “To begin with,” “Next,” and “In the sixth stage” help the reader follow the process. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical because the stages are repeatedly introduced by number or sequence markers, and the paragraphing leaves the overview and process details somewhat compressed together. The transition from rainfall to dry air could more clearly signal the change from the windward to the leeward side. Some links between ideas are also abrupt, particularly “It is a relatively lengthy process” before the description begins. Grouping the stages into clearer phases and using more varied, precise links would improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “condensation,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas.” These terms are relevant and help convey the diagram’s stages. There are also attempts at more specific description, such as “gradually cools” and “resulting in the formation.” Some choices are inaccurate or imprecise: “highly altitudes” is not a natural expression, and “wind approach coast” is awkward. “Relatively lengthy” is also not a useful description of the process; the diagram’s distance label could instead be reported directly. Greater precision in collocations and more consistent use of the diagram’s terminology would make the description clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the opening overview and the clause “as it reaches highly altitudes.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “the process consists seven major steps” needs “consists of,” while “winds approach the coast … and forced upwards” lacks a finite verb or passive auxiliary in the second part. “In the third stage was moist air rises” has an incorrect clause structure, and “the cooling and condensation … leads” has a subject–verb agreement error. These issues make several sentences less controlled, although the intended sequence is usually clear. Check verb forms, sentence structure, and agreement when editing, while retaining the useful range of clauses.

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