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 given diagram illustrates the steps how the rain-shadow deserts are formed. Overall, it's a seven step process that shows how winds approach coast turn into dry winds reaching inland areas after covering thousands of kilometres to form rain-shadow desert.

Initially, winds travel across the sea to approach coast and from that point winds pushed upwards towards the Windward side of mountains. On the way upward, moist air rises which cools down the wind and then these cool winds become the source of clouds formation. Clouds perform rainfall on the peak of mountains which results in the formation of dry air and then dry air continues moving towards the Leeward side over the mountains. Dry air contiues moving downwards untill they reach inland areas. When these dry winds reach inland areas, rain=shadow deserts are formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and cover its main sequence: winds move from the sea towards the mountains, rain falls on the windward side, and dry air continues inland to create a rain-shadow desert. This gives the reader a relevant overall account. However, some stages are compressed or unclear: for example, the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, followed by cloud formation, but “these cool winds become the source of clouds formation” blurs that sequence. The description also omits the significance of the dry air descending on the leeward side and the diagram’s thousands-of-kilometres scale. The response is 15 words below the required minimum, which limits the opportunity to develop the stages accurately. Add a little more detail while keeping the overview clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the process in a sensible order, using “Overall,” “Initially,” and “then” to guide the reader from the coast to the inland desert. This creates a coherent overall arrangement. However, the account is presented as one paragraph, and several transitions are repetitive or mechanically linked through repeated uses of “and then” and “dry air.” Some references are also unclear: “these cool winds” appears to refer to the moist air, while the diagram distinguishes the cooling air from the later dry winds. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and stages, and make each link explicit—for example, explain that rain removes moisture before the remaining air crosses the mountain.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “Windward side,” “Leeward side,” “rainfall,” and “inland areas,” so the main subject is generally clear. There is also some attempt at less common wording, such as “approach” and “formation.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: clouds do not “perform rainfall,” and “the source of clouds formation” is an awkward collocation. “Cool down the wind” also does not precisely describe the air cooling as it rises. Spelling slips such as “contiues,” “untill,” and “rain=shadow” reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process terms such as “condenses,” “precipitation,” and “descends,” and check spelling and hyphenation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including the sequence “When these dry winds reach inland areas, rain=shadow deserts are formed.” The overall meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. The opening phrase “the steps how” needs a construction such as “the steps by which”; “winds approach coast” is missing an article, and “winds pushed upwards” lacks an auxiliary or a suitable active verb. In “moist air rises which cools down the wind,” the relative clause is awkwardly attached, while “they” does not agree clearly with the singular “dry air.” There are also tense and punctuation issues in the long process sentences. Use consistent present simple forms and divide the sequence into shorter, controlled sentences.

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