Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-16

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 image illustrates an specific type of desert, called 'rain shadow desert' is fashioned.

Overall, The diagram consists of 7 important steps needed to form rain-shadow deserts. The process starts from the sea, going all the way up through the mountain into the cloud and then it comes down from the mountain towards inland areas.

The process of formation starts when winds from the sea approach the coast, then they interact with mountains forcing them to move upwards. As the winds move upwards, moist air rises and cools thus clouds are formed. After clouds are formed the process move onto its fifth stage where rainfall occurs. Moving on after rainfall the dry air continues to move over the mountain, passing leeward side going downwards. Soon after harsh dry winds arrive at inland areas converting them into rain-shadow desert. Another thing to mention that base area of the mountain thousands of kilometers. This description summarizes almost of every detail shown in the diagram.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence and give an overview that identifies the seven stages, from winds approaching the sea to dry winds reaching inland. The account correctly includes upward movement, cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and the continuation of dry air over the mountain. However, some details are less fully or precisely reported: “converting them into rain-shadow desert” suggests the winds themselves transform the area, rather than the dry conditions creating a desert, and the final comment about the mountain’s “base area” being thousands of kilometres is unclear. The diagram indicates a horizontal scale of thousands of kilometres, not the mountain’s base area. A more precise overview and clearer explanation of the windward-to-leeward contrast would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph describing the stages in sequence. Time and sequence markers such as “Overall,” “As,” “After,” and “Moving on” help the reader follow the process. However, some linking is mechanical, and a few references are unclear. For example, “it comes down from the mountain towards inland areas” does not clearly identify whether “it” means the wind or the process, while “Another thing to mention” introduces the scale detail abruptly. The final sentence, “This description summarizes almost of every detail,” is unnecessary and interrupts the report’s ending. Use more precise references and connect the scale information to the relevant stage or location.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “approach the coast,” “moist air,” “rainfall,” and “leeward side,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are also attempts at more descriptive wording, such as “harsh dry winds,” although “harsh” is not the most precise choice for this diagram. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “is fashioned” is unnatural for describing a process, “interact with mountains” is vague, and “base area” misrepresents the scale label. “Almost of every detail” is also an incorrect phrase. Aim for precise, conventional process language, such as winds being forced upwards and dry air moving inland, rather than adding descriptive terms that do not clarify the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a useful cause-and-effect structure in “As the winds move upwards, moist air rises and cools.” Most stages remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. The opening has a faulty structure: “The image illustrates an specific type of desert … is fashioned” lacks a clear grammatical connection between the clauses, and “an” should not precede “specific.” There are also errors in agreement and sentence construction in “the process move onto its fifth stage” and “Another thing to mention that…”. The overview’s extra space after the comma and the comma splice-like sequencing in the final paragraph also affect control. Practise complete sentence patterns and check articles, verb agreement, and clause boundaries.

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