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 diagram illustrates the formation of one kind of desert which is called as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, The formation of rain-shadow desert includes 7 stages. Winds come from sea to the mountains. From coast to inlands areas, the mountains cover thousands of kilometres straight. One important thing is that as winds approache mountains windward side it becomes moist and cool, then it forms clouds.

Initially, winds come from water side to coastal area, then it is pushed upwards. As winds go upwards, only moisture air rises and cools. After passing windward side of mountains, cloud formation happens. Later, these clouds cause rain fall on the sea side of mountain's peaks. Due to this, only dry air contiunues over mountain. After passing leeward side, the dry winds reach inland areas, which is the final stage for Rain-shadow desert's making. Because of the dry air, some air droplets continue to fall on inland to make desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from onshore winds rising over the mountains to rain on the windward side and dry air reaching inland, and you identify the process as having seven stages. This gives the reader a relevant account of how the desert forms. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: “From coast to inlands areas, the mountains cover thousands of kilometres straight” misrepresents the diagram’s horizontal scale, and the final claim that “air droplets continue to fall on inland to make desert” conflicts with the dry conditions shown. The overview also focuses on cloud formation rather than clearly summarising the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and aridity inland. Clarifying that contrast and correcting the scale and final stage would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological description beginning with “Initially” and continuing through “Later” and “After passing.” This helps the reader follow the broad process. However, the overview repeats details that are then explained again, and the sequence is not always expressed clearly. For example, “After passing windward side of mountains, cloud formation happens” makes the timing and location of cloud formation less clear, while “Due to this” has an imprecise reference. The final sentence also introduces a claim that disrupts the process account. Organise the overview around the main contrast, then describe each stage once in order, using clear references such as “this moist air” and “the resulting dry air.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” so the topic is generally understandable. There is also some attempt to vary wording with phrases such as “pushed upwards” and “continues over mountain.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “called as,” “water side,” “moisture air,” and “rain fall.” Spelling slips such as “approache” and “contiunues” also reduce precision. The phrase “mountains cover thousands of kilometres straight” does not convey the diagram’s scale accurately. Aim for standard process-report expressions, for example “is known as,” “moist air,” and “precipitation falls,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a time clause in “As winds go upwards” and a result clause beginning “Because of the dry air.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors remain. Examples include “which is called as” (use “which is called” or “which is known as”), “it is pushed upwards” where the plural subject “winds” requires “they are pushed,” and “After passing windward side” which needs an article or possessive determiner. Capitalisation is also inconsistent in “Overall, The formation.” Some sentences combine several stages, making grammatical relationships harder to follow. Use consistent present-tense descriptions, check subject–verb agreement and articles, and divide long process sentences into clearer clauses.

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