Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-09

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 given diagram shows the formation of a rain-shadow desert

Overall, this process consists of 7 different steps spread out over thousands of kilometers; it explains how wind flows from Sea to the Rain-shadow desert.

On the left side of the mountain, 1 to 5 steps explain the cloud formation. In the beginning the wind flows from the Sea, where it is pushed towards the Windward side, which becomes moist air and decreases the temperature. Above the Windward side, moist air forms into the white clouds. When the clouds are pushed towards the peak of the mountain, these clouds turn into grey and black clouds that produce rain and snowfall.

On the other side of the peak, there is no rain; only a snowfield can be seen. On this side only dry breeze flows towards the Leeward side. Below this area, temperature becomes warmer, and the dry air reaches towards the inland areas, making this land a Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram as a seven-step process and give a clear overall account of wind travelling from the sea towards the inland desert. The main sequence—air rising on the windward side, cloud formation and rain, followed by dry air crossing the mountains—is broadly represented. However, some details are not supported by the visual: it does not show clouds turning grey or black, snowfall, or a snowfield on the leeward side. The explanation that the air becomes moist as it is pushed towards the windward side is also unclear; the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling. Cover the stages more precisely and avoid adding visual details that are not shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an overview is followed by the windward-side stages and then the leeward-side outcome. Sequencing phrases such as “In the beginning” and “On the other side” help the reader follow the process, and the contrast between the two sides is clear. This organisation is effective, though some links are mechanical and the progression within the first paragraph is not always precise. For example, “When the clouds are pushed towards the peak” makes the sequence less clear than directly linking rising, cooling, cloud formation and rainfall. Use a wider range of accurate transitions and make each stage connect explicitly to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “Windward side,” “Leeward side,” “moist air,” and “inland areas,” which makes the topic clear. Some less precise or unnatural choices limit the accuracy of the description: “wind flows from Sea” is awkward, “white clouds” and “grey and black clouds” add unsupported colour details, and “dry breeze” is less suitable for describing the diagram’s dry winds. “Snowfield” and “snowfall” are also not shown. Aim for precise, neutral terms that describe only the labelled features, such as “winds approach the coast” and “dry air continues over the mountain.” This would improve both collocation and factual precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the relative clause in “which becomes moist air” and the time clause beginning “When the clouds are pushed.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical choices make relationships unclear. In “the wind flows from Sea,” the article is missing; “where it is pushed towards the Windward side, which becomes moist air” has an unclear pronoun reference and clause structure. The phrase “temperature becomes warmer” also uses an awkward grammatical pattern. Practise forming clear passive process sentences and checking articles, reference words and clause links. More consistently controlled complex sentences would strengthen the description.

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