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 diagram shows the process of the rain- shadow desert formation through different stages.

Overall, the rain shadow desert formed in 7 stages, beginning with the winds approaching to Coast and by going through different stages ending with the formation of rain-shadow desert in last stage.

Firstly, winds from sea approaches to coast , secondly pushed upward onto the mountain , then from there air get moisted this moisted air rises upward and becomes cool there. In 4th stage at Windward side clouds are formed from this moisted and cool air followed by rain fall on top of the mountain.

Then at leeward side dry air continue to flow over mountain in sixth stage, in the final stage these dry winds which flow over mountain at leeward side reaches inland areas , at the end rain-shadow desert is formed after completion of all these stages. This whole process takes thousands of kilometers surface of mountain to be completed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence and give an overview that the process begins with winds approaching the coast and ends with a rain-shadow desert. The account also correctly identifies the windward side as the area where clouds form and rain falls, followed by dry air crossing the mountain toward inland areas. Some details, however, are unclear or not fully accurate: the air becomes moist as it rises, rather than “from there air get moisted,” and the final stage is dry winds reaching inland areas; the desert is shown there as the result, not explicitly as a separate final stage. The statement that the process takes “thousands of kilometres surface of mountain” misreads the scale arrow, which indicates the horizontal distance across the diagram. Clarifying these points would make the report more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by two paragraphs that move through the stages in sequence. Sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “then,” “followed by,” and “in the final stage” help the reader follow the process, and the paragraph break after rainfall is sensible. This logical progression is already effective, though some linking is mechanical and the long opening process sentence in the first body paragraph makes several stages feel crowded together. The repeated references to “stage” also add little. To strengthen the flow further, give each stage a clearer sentence or group related stages more deliberately, and use pronouns or concise transitions where the reference remains clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “approaching,” “upward,” “Windward side,” “leeward side,” “dry air,” and “rain fall.” These terms make the subject understandable, and the attempt to use the diagram’s labels is helpful. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “air get moisted,” “moisted air,” and “takes thousands of kilometres surface of mountain.” “Formation” and “process” are also repeated without much variation. Aim for precise, natural phrases such as “moist air,” “is forced upwards,” and “extends over thousands of kilometres.” Check spelling and hyphenation too: “rain-shadow” should be used consistently, and “rainfall” is normally one word when used as a noun.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex structures, including a sequence joined with “followed by” and a final clause beginning “which flow over mountain.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction reduce accuracy. For example, “winds from sea approaches” has a plural subject with a singular verb and needs an article before “sea”; “air get moisted” also has incorrect agreement and verb form. In “secondly pushed upward onto the mountain,” the clause lacks a clear subject, while the first body paragraph runs several stages together with weak punctuation. Use complete clauses with consistent present-simple verbs, and separate each major stage with a full stop to improve control.

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.