Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-19

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 the various stages of formation of a rain-shadow desert, one of the types of desert.

Overall, the formation of rain-shadow desert contist of 7 different stages and each played its part from going through various processes.

First of all, the process starts from wind approaching coast above the sea, which then pushed upwards by the surface of the mountain. While the rising upward, air got moist and cold. Afterward, cool air form clouds which then converts into raindrops which falls on the top of the surface of the mountain.

In the next stage, dry air which passes through the rain starts to go down on the leeward side of the mountain. Finally, the dry winds reach inland area and forming a rain-shadow desert.

To conclude, the process of making a rain-shadow desert passes through various stages and winds travel through thousands of kilometers to make it happen.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to the formation of an inland rain-shadow desert, and the overview identifies seven stages. The account also correctly distinguishes the windward and leeward sides and mentions the long distance travelled inland. However, some stages are less fully or precisely described: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, whereas “air got moist and cold” blurs that sequence. “Dry air which passes through the rain” is also unclear; the air continues over the mountain after rain falls on the windward side. To strengthen the response, report each key transition accurately and make the overview explain the central contrast: moist air loses rain on the windward side, leaving dry air to create desert conditions inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs that follow the process from the coast to the inland desert. Sequencing phrases such as “First of all,” “Afterward,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the stages. This gives the account a coherent progression, although some linking is mechanical and the final “To conclude” repeats the general idea rather than adding a useful process detail. Connections within the description could also be clearer: for example, the transition from rain falling to dry air crossing the mountain is compressed into “dry air which passes through the rain.” Use more precise links to show cause and sequence, and group related stages so each sentence clearly leads to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “approaching,” “surface,” “leeward side,” and “inland,” and the key topic remains understandable. There are also attempts at more specific terms such as “rain-shadow desert.” Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, however: “contist” appears to be a spelling error, “air got moist” is imprecise, and “converts into raindrops” does not naturally describe the formation of rain. “Making a rain-shadow desert” is also less appropriate for a natural process than “forming” or “creating.” Aim for accurate process verbs and standard collocations, such as “moist air rises,” “clouds form,” and “precipitation falls.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “dry air which passes through the rain” and a sequence of linked clauses describing the process. The overall meaning is generally clear, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “which then pushed upwards” lacks an auxiliary verb, and “While the rising upward” is not a complete, correctly formed clause. There are also tense and agreement problems in “air got moist and cold” and “raindrops which falls.” The final phrase “and forming a rain-shadow desert” does not match the preceding verb structure. Improve control by using consistent present simple for a diagram, checking subject–verb agreement, and ensuring each clause has a complete verb phrase.

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