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 process of formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the formation of rain-shadow desert includes seven stages. It begins with winds approaching the sea coast and ends with dry winds reaching the inland area after travelling several thousand kilometers.

The inital step for the formation of the desert starts with the winds approaching the sea coast. Afterwards the winds move towards the windward side of mountains in an upward direction. Along the way the the air traps moisture and gets cold. This cool and moist air move further upward and form clouds. When it reaches the top of mountain, rain falls.

Resultantly the air becomes dry. Now this dry air continue to travel towards the leeward side of mountain in a downward direction. The sir has travelled almost a thousand kilometers in order to form the desert. Lastly, when this dry air reaches the inland areas, the rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response gives a relevant account of the process and includes a clear overview: it identifies seven stages, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland. It also reports the key sequence of uplift, cooling, cloud formation and rain on the mountain’s windward side, followed by dry air moving towards the leeward side. However, some details are less fully or accurately explained. The diagram indicates that the air continues over the mountain before reaching inland; the response describes its downward movement but does not clearly explain this passage. It also says the air travels “almost a thousand kilometers,” whereas the diagram labels the horizontal scale as thousands of kilometres. A more precise account of the scale and the windward-to-leeward transition would strengthen coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information is arranged in a clear sequence, with an opening, an overview and a chronological description of the stages. Linking expressions such as “Afterwards,” “Along the way,” “Now” and “Lastly” help the reader follow the process, and the paragraphing separates the overview from the details. This meets the lower-band expectation of an overall coherent arrangement and shows some of the clearer progression associated with a stronger performance. However, the transitions can feel mechanical, and “Resultantly” is an awkward link between rainfall and the air becoming dry. The reference in “This cool and moist air” is understandable, but the repeated use of “the winds” and “dry air” makes the flow less flexible. Use more varied, precise links to show cause and sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for describing this process, and terms such as “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” “inland areas” and “rain-shadow desert” show relevant topic knowledge. The writer also attempts more formal wording, including “formation” and “Resultantly,” though the latter is not a natural choice in this context. Some word-choice and spelling errors reduce precision: “inital” and “sir” appear to be misspellings, while “traps moisture” is less accurate than describing air as carrying moisture. “Almost a thousand kilometers” also does not match the diagram’s scale label. Overall, meaning remains clear, but more accurate collocations and careful proofreading would make the description more precise and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple sentences and more complex forms, including “When it reaches the top of mountain, rain falls” and “after travelling several thousand kilometers.” Most stages remain understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. In “the air move further upward” and “this dry air continue to travel,” the singular subject requires a singular verb. Articles are also missing in phrases such as “top of mountain” and “towards the leeward side of mountain.” The duplicated “the the” interrupts accuracy, and “the formation of rain-shadow desert” would be more grammatical with an article. These errors rarely prevent understanding, but checking subject–verb agreement and article use, while retaining varied sentence structures, would improve control.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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