Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-20

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 formation of rain-shadow deserts.There are many types of deserts around the world and one of them is known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the formation of rain-shadow desert involves several stages beginning with moist winds approaching the coast of the sea and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas. The process mainly occurs when moist air rises over a mountain, produces rainfall on the windward side, and then moves towards the leeward side as dry air.

Initially, moist winds approach the coast from the sea and move towards a mountain. As the winds rise up the windward side of the mountain, the moist area cool down, leading to the formation of clouds.The process continues when clouds formed. In the next stage, the rain falls from the clouds.

The rain moved from windward side to leeward side where dry air continued over the mountain.From the leeward side the dry winds reached inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response gives a relevant overview of the process, identifying its start with winds from the sea and its end with dry winds reaching inland. It also captures the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry air moving beyond the mountain. The stages are reported in broadly correct order. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: “The rain moved from windward side to leeward side” suggests that rain travels across the mountain, whereas the diagram shows dry air continuing over it. The explanation also repeats cloud formation and does not clearly explain that rising moist air cools before clouds form. More precise reporting of each stage would make the account more complete and clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “In the next stage,” and “From the leeward side” help the reader follow the process. However, progression is weakened by repetition: clouds are said to form, then “the process continues when clouds formed,” which restates the same stage rather than advancing the account. The final two sentences also connect the stages awkwardly, and the reference to “The rain” makes the movement between stages confusing. Use one clear sentence for each stage and link the windward and leeward processes with precise references to air and rainfall.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for describing this process, with relevant terms such as “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist winds,” “dry air,” and “inland areas.” These choices show some awareness of the topic-specific language needed for a diagram. There is some imprecision and repetition, however: “moist area” is not the intended meaning, and “The rain moved” mislabels what continues over the mountain. “Formation” and “process” are also used repeatedly. Aim for more accurate collocations and varied process verbs, such as “moist air rises,” “condenses,” “precipitation falls,” and “dry air descends or continues inland,” while ensuring each term matches the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response uses both simple sentences and more complex structures, including the overview clause “when moist air rises over a mountain” and the participial phrase “leading to the formation of clouds.” Meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “the moist area cool down” has an incorrect subject and verb form; “clouds formed” does not maintain the present tense used for a process; and articles are missing in “from windward side” and “to leeward side.” There are also punctuation and spacing problems, such as the missing space after “deserts.” and “clouds.” Review subject–verb agreement, consistent present-tense forms, and articles before geographical features to improve accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.