Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 figure illustrates the process involved in generation of a type of desert called as rain shadow desert.

Overall, the formation consists of a series of eight different steps which include approaching of sea winds to coast, cloud formation, rainfall on mountains and drying of air reaching to inland areas.

First and foremost, the winds from sea area is blowing to coastal region where winds is moving in upward direction of mountains and the air is getting moist and cools simultaneously, near the windward side. After that, cloud formation takes place resulting into rainfall around peak of highland.

Following this, when the rainfall stopped then air is becoming to dry over the mountains which then blowing in downward direction near leeward side. Once dried air reach the plain areas then finally inland rain shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main stages and give an overall summary, including winds approaching the coast, cloud formation, rain on the mountains and dry air moving inland. The sequence is broadly accurate, and you mention the windward and leeward sides. However, the overview says there are “eight different steps,” while the diagram shows seven, and some stages are compressed or unclear: the moist air rises and cools before clouds form, and the dry air continues over the mountain before reaching inland. The response also contains 138 words, below the required 150, so the process is not developed in enough detail. Add the missing stage distinctions and clarify how the rain-shadow desert forms.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological account of the process. Sequencing phrases such as “First and foremost,” “After that,” and “Following this” help the reader follow the stages, and the final sentence brings the process to its outcome. This meets the lower-band expectation of an overall coherent arrangement and shows some progression beyond it. To make the progression more precise, avoid linking stages with vague or awkward transitions such as “Following this, when the rainfall stopped then…” and use clearer links between the air rising, cooling, cloud formation, and precipitation. Paragraphing is also limited; separating the overview from the detailed stages more clearly would improve readability.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “cloud formation,” “rainfall,” and “inland areas,” so the meaning is generally clear. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “the process involved in generation.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “called as” should be “called,” “approaching of sea winds” is awkward, and “rainfall around peak of highland” does not describe the location naturally. “Drying of air” is also less precise than describing the air as becoming dry. Aim for accurate collocations and concise process language, for example, “moist air rises and cools” and “rain falls on the windward side.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence of clauses describing the winds, mountains and rainfall. The overall meaning remains understandable, but errors in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction are noticeable. For example, “the winds … is blowing” and “winds is moving” have subject–verb agreement problems, while “when the rainfall stopped then air is becoming to dry” mixes tenses and uses an incorrect verb pattern. Articles are also missing in phrases such as “near peak” and “over mountains.” Use the present simple consistently for a process diagram, and check agreement and articles. Shorter, controlled sentences would help you express each stage accurately while retaining some complex structures.

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

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