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 process of the formation of the desert, known as a rain-shadow desert. It includes the travel of the winds from the windward side to the leeward side, a thousands of kilometers.

Overall, the winds travels through thousands of kilometers from coast, up to the windward side, then pass over the mountains where the dry air forms, which then reaches the inland.

First of all, the winds comes from seaside and pushed upwards to the mountains. The air becomes moist and cools down as it go up, where it eventually turns into the clouds. Moving forward, the clouds converts into the waterdroplets, means the rain falls to the tip of the mountains.

Furthermore, after the rain period the air converts into the dry one. then, dry air continues over mountains and travels towards the inland areas. Overtime, the dry winds causes the formation of rain-shadow desert over period of time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds rising over the mountains to dry air reaching inland, and you identify the rain-shadow desert as the outcome. The overview also recognises the long distance involved. However, some stages are not reported precisely: the diagram shows clouds forming and rain falling on the windward side, rather than clouds “converting into the waterdroplets” or rain falling “to the tip” of the mountains. The explanation that the desert forms “over period of time” is not shown, while the role of the mountain in causing the air to rise could be clearer. To strengthen the response, describe the windward and leeward sides explicitly and keep each stage closely tied to the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overall summary, and two paragraphs describing the process. Sequencing phrases such as “First of all” and “Furthermore” help the reader follow the stages. However, some links are mechanical or imprecise, and the transition “after the rain period” suggests a time interval that the diagram does not establish. The overview repeats parts of the introduction rather than clearly summarising the contrast between the rainy windward side and dry inland leeward side. Improve progression by grouping the stages into a clear sequence and using precise references such as “on the windward side” and “beyond the leeward side.”

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of process vocabulary, including “windward,” “leeward,” “moist,” “dry,” and “formation,” which suits this diagram. Some less common terms are attempted, but several choices are inaccurate or awkward: “clouds converts into the waterdroplets” does not describe the diagram naturally, and “the air converts into the dry one” is unclear. There are also spelling and form issues, including “Overtime” where “Over time” is intended. Aim for precise process collocations and avoid adding mechanisms not shown. For example, describe clouds forming, rain falling, and the remaining air becoming dry as it crosses the mountains.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses with “as” and “where,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, some errors in agreement, verb forms, and sentence construction remain. Examples include “the winds travels,” “the winds comes,” and “as it go up”; these subjects and verbs do not agree. In “winds … pushed upwards,” the passive construction needs an auxiliary verb, while “then, dry air continues” needs appropriate sentence-initial capitalisation. The sentence beginning “Moving forward” also has an unclear clause structure. Check subject–verb agreement and build each process step with a complete, consistent verb phrase.

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