Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-14

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 steps involved in the formation of Rain-shadow desert. These are formed due to the blockage of rainy clouds by the mountains, keeping one side of mountain deprived of rain, while the other side moist.

It begins when the wind approaches to the coastal region, and when these winds hit the tall mountains, they pushes upwards. Since the air arriving from sea is moist and contains water droplets, when the air cools down above, it results in the formation of clouds. This is followed by rainfall which happens on the same side of the sea coast also knows as the windward side. After the rainfall, the dry air continues to tavel over the other side of the mountain known as Leeward side (Both of these sides are separated by thousands of kilometeres). The dry air continues reaching to the inland areas. This process repeats, ultimately keeping one side rain deprived and leds to the formation of Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds rising over the mountains to rainfall on the windward side and dry air reaching inland, and your opening gives a useful overall explanation of how the desert forms. The account is generally accurate, including the contrast between the two mountain sides. Some details are less fully explained: for example, you do not clearly state that the moist air cools as it rises, and the final description that the process “repeats” is not shown in the diagram. The claim that clouds are “blocked” by the mountains also simplifies the process; the diagram shows moist air rising, cooling and forming clouds before rain falls. More precise coverage of these stages would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The stages are presented in a sensible order, and sequencing phrases such as “It begins,” “This is followed by,” and “After the rainfall” help the reader follow the process. The response also moves from a general explanation to the sequence and its outcome. However, the whole account is presented as one paragraph, so the overview and process details are not clearly distinguished. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “rainfall which happens on the same side of the sea coast also knows as the windward side,” where the relationship between the coast and mountain side becomes difficult to follow. The repeated use of “the dry air continues” also makes the progression somewhat mechanical. Clearer paragraphing and more precise referencing would improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “coastal region,” “moist,” “rainfall,” “windward side,” “Leeward side,” and “inland areas,” which allows you to describe the diagram adequately. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “deprived of rain.” However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “blockage of rainy clouds” does not describe the process precisely, and “rain deprived” is awkward. Spelling slips such as “tavel” and “kilometeres” also reduce accuracy. Aim for consistent, natural terms such as “moist air,” “precipitation,” and “rain-shadow effect,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a conditional-style sequence beginning “when these winds hit” and a relative clause in “the other side of the mountain known as Leeward side.” The overall meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “they pushes upwards” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “the air arriving from sea” needs an article. The sentence beginning “Since the air arriving from sea is moist…” is overloaded and its clause structure is difficult to control. There are also problems with forms and sentence boundaries in “keeping one side rain deprived and leds to the formation.” Use shorter, clearly structured sentences and check agreement, articles and verb forms.

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