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 diagram illustrates the process of a rain-shadow desert formation.

Overall, it can be seen that, the whole process passes through seven stages, starting from the wind approaching coastal area and ending with the formation of a rain-shadow desert. A rain-shadow desert forms thousands of kilometres far from the sea coasts.

The process starts with the first stage of winds approach at sea coastal area. Then these winds pushes upward along with some moist air and goes up side through the windward side of the mountain. At third stage, moist air becomes cool as it reaches higher.

In fourth stage, cool air transforms into clouds and in next stage, rain fall starts from the top of the mountain. Rest of the air becomes dry and continues to travel over the mountain and goes downward through the leeward side of the mountain. Finally dry winds reach inland areas and forms a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the full sequence and give a clear overview: the process begins with winds approaching the coast and ends with a rain-shadow desert inland, thousands of kilometres from the sea. The stages involving rising moist air, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air crossing the mountain are all relevant and broadly match the diagram. This gives the account a solid, informative foundation. Some details are less fully or precisely explained, however: the winds are pushed upwards by the mountain, and the rain falls on the windward side, rather than simply “from the top.” The overview could also highlight the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions beyond the leeward side. These additions would make the main features more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a clear sequence, with an overview followed by the stages in order. Transitions such as “Then,” “At third stage,” “In fourth stage,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process, and the paragraphing separates the overview from the detailed account. This is a coherent overall structure. However, the repeated stage-by-stage transitions make the linking somewhat mechanical, and a few references are not fully clear: “these winds pushes upward along with some moist air” blurs the relationship between the wind and the moist air. Grouping related stages into smoother sentences and using clearer links—for example, explaining that the mountain forces moist air upwards, “where it cools and forms clouds”—would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “rain-shadow desert,” and “inland areas.” These terms suit the diagram and help communicate the sequence. There are also some imprecise or awkward choices that limit flexibility and naturalness: “sea coastal area” and “goes up side” do not express the locations or movement clearly, while “rain fall starts” is less natural than the standard term “rainfall begins.” Repetition of “stage,” “mountain,” and “winds” also makes the description less varied. Aim for precise process verbs such as “rise,” “cool,” “condense,” and “descend,” and use natural collocations to describe the air’s movement across the mountain.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, and the sequence is generally understandable. The overview sentence and the final sentence show an effort to connect stages and outcomes. However, some grammatical errors recur and occasionally make relationships less clear. For example, “these winds pushes” has subject–verb disagreement, while “A rain-shadow desert forms thousands of kilometres far” has an awkward grammatical construction. Articles and sentence patterns also need attention in phrases such as “At third stage” and “In fourth stage.” Check agreement, article use, and verb forms when describing each stage; for instance, “the winds are pushed upwards” and “at the third stage” would be more accurate. Greater control of these patterns would make the process easier to read.

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