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 map demonstrates the formation of rain shadow desert that how it is formed in different stages.

It is clear that winds approach coast and then proceeding thorugh numerous steps it causes rain fall and then at leeward side dry winds reach inland areas.

Initially, at windward side from the sea winds approach coast then this air is pushed upward. After that, the moist air rises up and cool down, so this moist air forms cloud. Subsequently, these clouds become the reason for rain falls. However, at the leeward side (other side of mountain) the moist air becomes dry air due to rainfall and that dry air continues over mountain. Finally, dry winds reach inland areas after passing through these stages. All that process takes thousands of kilometers to complete and transfer the wind from sea to inland areas and form rain shadow desert in inland areas and individuals inhale this air.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main sequence and gives a general overview: winds move from the sea towards the coast, rise over the mountains, produce rain on the windward side, and continue inland as dry air. These details broadly match the diagram. However, some stages are not fully or clearly explained. For example, the account says the air “becomes dry air due to rainfall” but does not clearly connect the cooling of rising moist air with cloud formation and precipitation, or explain that the resulting dry winds create the rain-shadow desert on the leeward side. The final reference to people inhaling the air is not a relevant feature of the process. A more precise overview and clearer explanation of how the desert forms would make the key information more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in a broadly logical order, and sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “After that,” “Subsequently,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. The response also moves from the sea and windward side towards the inland area. However, the organisation is limited to a short overview followed by one long paragraph, so the stages and overall result are not clearly separated. Some linking is mechanical, with several transitions marking each step rather than showing the relationships between them. The opening sentence is difficult to follow, and the final sentence combines the scale, movement of air, desert formation, and an unrelated point. Grouping related stages and using clearer references would improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” which helps convey the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in sequencing language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “rain shadow desert” should be expressed consistently as “rain-shadow desert,” “forms cloud” is less natural than “clouds form,” and “the reason for rain falls” does not clearly describe precipitation. “Individuals inhale this air” is an inappropriate addition and distracts from the process. Spelling errors such as “thorugh” also reduce accuracy. More precise process verbs and natural collocations would make the description clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including cause-and-effect structures such as “so this moist air forms cloud” and a contrast introduced by “However.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors make individual sentences awkward or unclear. The opening phrase “demonstrates the formation … that how it is formed” has an incorrect clause structure, while “winds approach coast” and “at windward side” omit articles. In “the moist air rises up and cool down,” the verb does not agree with its subject, and “rain falls” is not correctly formed in “the reason for rain falls.” The final sentence also joins several ideas without clear grammatical control. Check articles, agreement, and clause construction when revising.

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