Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-17

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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed, which starts with natural winds approaching a coast and in the end the dry winds reach inland areas which creates a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it is a process which goes around a large mountain. Winds approach the coast of a mountain and starts climbing the mountain going through various other processes. This wind is then converted into dry air and reaches inland areas where it transforms the area into a rain-shadow desert.

In detail, Winds coming from the sea approaches the coast and then starts pushing upwards. While flowing upwards it becomes moist air and starts to cool. This moist air forms into a cloud and through that same cloud rain starts to fall on top of the mountain. The air then converts into dry air that countinues over the moutain. Finally this dry air reaches the inland areas which transforms into a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland, and you identify the resulting rain-shadow desert. The overview also recognises the mountain as central to the process. However, some stages are not reported precisely: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, whereas “it becomes moist air” suggests the wind only becomes moist as it rises. The description also says rain falls “on top of the mountain,” rather than specifying the windward side, and does not explain the contrast between the wet windward and dry leeward sides. Develop these key relationships more clearly and avoid implying that the desert itself is directly transformed by the wind.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and a final paragraph that follows the process in sequence. Connectors such as “Overall,” “In detail,” “While,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the stages, and the progression from coast to inland is easy to understand. This is a coherent structure, though some linking is mechanical and the overview repeats information already given in the introduction. There is also a slightly unclear reference in “through that same cloud,” since the cloud is not the cause of the rain in the way the wording suggests. To strengthen progression, make the overview more distinct and use precise links to show cause and sequence, rather than repeating the same endpoint.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “dry air,” “coast,” and “inland areas,” so the main meaning is clear. There is also some useful variation in describing movement, such as “approaching,” “climbing,” and “continues.” However, several choices are imprecise or awkward for a process description: “goes around a large mountain” does not accurately describe the air’s route, and “transforms the area into” overstates the relationship between the winds and desert formation. “Forms into a cloud” is also less natural than “forms clouds.” Check spelling carefully, particularly “countinues” and “moutain.” More precise terms such as “windward,” “leeward,” and “precipitation” would help describe the diagram accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including the relative clause in “a rain-shadow desert is formed, which starts…” and the time clause beginning “While flowing upwards.” Most sentences communicate the sequence, but some grammatical errors remain. In “Winds approach the coast of a mountain and starts climbing,” the plural subject requires “start”; similarly, “Winds coming from the sea approaches” should use “approach.” The opening sentence also has an unclear “which” reference, and “the air then converts into dry air” uses an awkward grammatical pattern. Capitalisation after a full stop is inconsistent, as in “In detail, Winds…”. Review subject–verb agreement and use clear subjects for each stage to improve accuracy while retaining your sentence variety.

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