Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-11

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 depicts the information about the formation of rain-shadow in desert area and it passes through Windward side to Leeward side with various steps.

Overall, it is a seven step procedure, which starts from the upper surface of the sea, and it cross thousands of kilometers of the mountain area, finally dry winds reach inland areas.

The process initiates with winds approach formed on a sea surface and it is stay connected with the Coastal area. Afterwards, due to coast area winds pushed in the upward direction. In addition, after reached certain height winds are cool down and it rises moist air. Laslty, the water contain clouds form at the Windward side, and these water contain clouds falls rain on top of the mountain.

Furthermore, dry air continues blow into the downward direction, which is located at the Leeward side. Once dry winds reach inland areas, it shows rain shadow in deserts, and this process is known as rain-shadow desert process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main sequence and gives an overview that the process has seven stages, beginning at the sea and ending with dry winds reaching inland. It also correctly identifies the windward and leeward sides and the rain-shadow desert. This meets the task well, though some stages are described unclearly or inaccurately: for example, the account says the winds “are cool down and it rises moist air,” whereas the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling. The explanation of how the desert results from the rain falling on the windward side and dry air continuing inland could also be more precise. To strengthen the response further, report each stage in its correct cause-and-effect order and make the overview explain the key contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “Afterwards,” “In addition,” and “Furthermore” help the reader follow the process, and the movement from the sea towards inland areas is generally apparent. However, some links are mechanical or do not accurately express the relationship between ideas. For instance, “In addition” introduces a step in a sequence, while “Once dry winds reach inland areas, it shows rain shadow” has an unclear reference. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the progression within the third paragraph becomes difficult to follow because the order of rising, cooling, and cloud formation is muddled. Use precise sequence markers and clear references to the air, clouds, and rain.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “Windward side,” “Leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “dry winds,” showing an adequate range for describing the diagram. Some attempts at more specific wording are less natural or inaccurate, however: “formation of rain-shadow in desert area,” “winds approach formed on a sea surface,” and “water contain clouds” do not express the intended meanings clearly. There are also spelling and word-form slips, such as “Laslty” and “kilometers” (the latter is acceptable, though “kilometres” matches the task’s spelling). Aim for accurate collocations and avoid repeating “winds” and “areas” where a more precise term is available. For example, describe air as “rising,” “cooling,” and “descending.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “which” and “Once,” but control is uneven. Several verb patterns and agreements are faulty: “it is stay connected,” “winds pushed in the upward direction,” and “after reached certain height” need corrected verb forms and sentence structures. The sentence “after reached certain height winds are cool down and it rises moist air” combines several grammatical problems, making the sequence hard to interpret. Articles and prepositions also need attention, as in “in desert area” and “on a sea surface.” These errors sometimes impede clarity, although the overall meaning remains recoverable. Practise accurate present-simple passive forms for processes, such as “the winds are pushed upwards,” and check that each clause has a clear subject and correctly formed verb.

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

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