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 given illustrates the formation of rain-shadow desert on inland situated thousands of kilometer away from sea levels and separated from them by maountain ranges.

Overall, it is a multistage process begining with wind reaching coastal areas with maountains from sea and end up with dry wind reaching inland and formation of desert.

In the first step wind from sea approaches coastal areas followed by upward drift due to mountains. Subsequently, the moist air moves upward along the windward side of mountains it gradually becomes cooler and form clouds. These clouds rise further and results in precipitation, near mountain tops. Consequently, the air following rains beocmes dry without moisture and descents towards leeward side. Finally this dry air reaches inland area resulting in formation of desert formation due to lack of water. This type of desert is called rain-shadow desert formed on land situated faraway areas from coastal areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main sequence and gives a clear overview: winds arrive from the sea, rise over the mountains, lose moisture as rain, and continue inland as dry air. It also correctly identifies the windward and leeward sides and links the dry conditions to the desert. This is a relevant account of the process, though some details are less fully explained. For example, the diagram shows clouds forming before rain falls, while “These clouds rise further” is not clearly supported; the key point is that the moist air cools and condenses. The final reference to the desert being “faraway” is also vague. To strengthen the account, describe the stages more precisely and avoid adding unclear details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information is arranged in a sensible order, with an overview followed by a chronological account of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “In the first step,” “Subsequently,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the stages. The progression is generally clear, although some links are mechanical and a few references are imprecise. For instance, “These clouds rise further” does not clearly connect the cloud formation to the rainfall shown, and “the air following rains” is an awkward reference to the air after precipitation. The final sentence repeats the idea of desert formation rather than adding a distinct concluding point. Use clearer references and group the stages into more deliberate paragraphs to make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “precipitation,” and “moisture,” which helps convey the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in verbs such as “approaches,” “moves,” and “reaches.” However, noticeable spelling and word-choice problems reduce precision: “maountain” and “beocmes” are misspelled, while “upward drift” and “formation of desert formation” are unnatural or repetitive. “Sea levels” is not an accurate way to refer to the sea in this context. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully; this would make the description more fluent and precise without requiring more complex vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including the overview sentence and clauses linked with “followed by” and “while” is not used. The sequence is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “it is a multistage process begining” needs a correctly formed participle (“beginning”), and “the moist air … becomes cooler and form clouds” has a subject–verb agreement error. Articles and number are also inconsistent in phrases such as “formation of rain-shadow desert” and “inland area.” The sentence beginning “Consequently” has an unclear construction around the air after rainfall. Review agreement, articles, and verb forms, and simplify sentences when needed to maintain control while retaining some complex structures.

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