Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-12

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 formation of the one type of desert which is known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, this process involves seven distinct stages, starting with movement of winds from the sea and ends with rain-shadow desert formation. This is a natural process.

The initial stage involves the formation of wind at the sea level then wind is pushed upwards over the mountain. Once it reached the windward side, it get converted into moist air which cools down and forms the cloud. Afterwards, cloud produces rain at the top of the mountain.

Upon completing this stage, dry air continues over mountain and reaches at leeward side which is opposite side of the mountain. After this stage, dry wind reach at the inland areas and rain-shadow desert is formed across thousands of kilometers from the mountain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as a sequence of seven stages and describe its main direction, from winds approaching from the sea to dry winds reaching inland. The account also includes the key contrast between the windward and leeward sides and the formation of rain. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling after winds are forced upwards, rather than wind being converted into moist air on the windward side. The overview could also state more clearly that rainfall occurs on the windward side while dry air creates a rain-shadow desert inland. The response is 14 words below the required minimum, which limits the development of these features.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages in sequence. Time and sequence markers such as “The initial stage,” “Once,” and “Afterwards” help the reader follow the process. The progression is generally logical, but some links are mechanical, and references such as “this stage” are not always precise about which part of the process is meant. The final sentence combines the inland winds, desert formation, and distance into one statement, making the relationship between these details less clear. Grouping the stages more explicitly and using precise references would make the cohesion more flexible and easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” and “inland areas.” These terms are relevant and help communicate the diagram’s main features. There are, however, some imprecise or awkward choices: “formation of wind at the sea level” does not accurately describe winds approaching from the sea, and “cloud produces rain” is less natural than describing rain falling from clouds. Repetition of “stage” and “mountain” also limits variety. More precise process verbs and natural collocations would improve clarity, while retaining the useful geographical vocabulary already present.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “Once” and “After this stage,” and the overall meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with agreement, tense, and articles. For example, “it get converted” should be “it gets converted,” and “dry wind reach” should be “dry winds reach.” In “Once it reached the windward side,” the tense does not fit the present-tense process description; use “Once it reaches.” There are also missing articles in phrases such as “forms the cloud” and “reaches at leeward side.” Check subject–verb agreement and maintain the present simple consistently when describing stages.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.