Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-15

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 is a multi-stage process and delineates the formation of particular type of desert named rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it is clear that this is a multi-stage linear process, comprising of seven stages, commencing with the winds approach coast above the sea and culminating with the formation of rain-shadow desert in inland area.

The process initiates with winds approach coast above the sea level. Following this, these winds are pushed upward in the next stage. In the third step, moist air is risen and then cold. Subsequently this air is moved to the windward side. In the later step this air id formed into clouds. Rain falls at the top of the mountains, and dry air is continued over mountain to the leeward side. In the last step, dry winds are reached inland areas to produce rain-shadow desert. The distance between coast to rain-shadow desert is thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and give a clear overall direction, from winds approaching the coast to a desert forming inland. You also include the key mountain-related stages, rainfall on the windward side, dry air crossing to the leeward side, and the thousands-of-kilometres scale. However, some stages are not fully or accurately explained: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, then clouds forming above the windward side before rain falls; your account adds that the air moves to the windward side after rising, which is not presented as a separate stage. The causal link between the loss of moisture and the dry inland conditions could also be clearer. More precise coverage of these relationships would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological account of the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Following this,” “In the third step,” and “In the last step” help the reader follow the process, and the progression from coast to inland is easy to recognise. This meets the lower-band expectations securely and shows some of the flexibility associated with stronger organisation. However, the repeated step-by-step transitions make the account somewhat mechanical, and “Subsequently this air is moved to the windward side” interrupts the diagram’s sequence rather than clarifying it. Grouping related stages—for example, rising air, cooling, cloud formation and rainfall—would create smoother links and make the causal progression more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “multi-stage process,” “culminating,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas.” These terms show awareness of the topic and generally allow the reader to understand the stages. There are also some inaccurate or unnatural choices: “particular type” needs an article, “air is risen and then cold” is not a natural way to describe cooling, and “air is formed into clouds” does not express cloud formation precisely. “Above the sea level” is also an awkward description of the winds’ position. These issues do not prevent understanding, but more accurate collocations and process verbs would improve precision and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including the overview clause “comprising of seven stages” and the sequence of passive constructions. The stages are mostly understandable, and the response uses present-tense process description. However, some errors recur in verb forms and sentence construction: “the winds approach coast” lacks an article and does not fit smoothly after “commencing with”; “moist air is risen” uses an incorrect passive form; and “dry air is continued” and “dry winds are reached” use passive structures where the process requires active verbs. There are also article and preposition problems in phrases such as “in inland area” and “between coast to rain-shadow desert.” More accurate verb patterns and noun phrases would strengthen the range you are attempting.

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

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