Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-22

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 explain the process of formation of rain-shadow desert.

Overall, total seven steps are involved in formation of rain-shadow deserts. Starting from the sea were the wind approach the coast and ending with the dry winds reaching the inland areas. In between two side plays major role namely Windward side and Leeward side one helps in formation of cloud and the other in passing dry air.

The process starts near the sea when the winds approach towards the coast from their it is pushed in the upward direction. After that the moist air rises and cools near Windward side which results in the formation of clouds. Because of the clouds formation rain falls on the peak of the mountain resulting in dry air.

Dry air continues over the mountain passing from Leeward side to Inland. When the dry winds reach's inland areas the Rain-shadow desert is formed. The overall process is time consuming as it involves several natural parameters.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response identifies the process as a sequence of seven stages and gives a relevant overview, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. It also correctly distinguishes the windward and leeward sides and explains the broad link between rainfall and the desert’s formation. These features show a sound understanding of the diagram. Some details, however, are less fully or precisely reported: the account says rain falls “on the peak,” whereas the diagram places precipitation above the windward slope and mountain area, and it does not clearly explain that rising air cools before clouds form and rain falls. The final claim that the process is “time consuming” is unsupported by the diagram. A more precise account of the stages and their locations would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the stages in sequence. The progression from the sea and coast, up the windward side, and then across the mountain to inland areas is easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “After that,” “Because of,” and “When” help show sequence and cause. However, some connections are awkward or unclear, particularly “In between two side plays major role,” which makes the relationship between the two mountain sides difficult to follow. The overview also repeats the seven-step sequence without adding much synthesis, and the unsupported closing comment interrupts the process description. More precise referencing and smoother links between stages would make the cohesion more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for describing this process, and the writer uses relevant terms such as “moist air,” “dry winds,” “Windward side,” “Leeward side,” and “Rain-shadow desert.” This allows the main stages to be understood. There are also attempts at more specific process language, including “formation” and “reaching.” However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “formation of cloud” would be more naturally expressed as “cloud formation,” and “passing dry air” does not clearly describe the air’s movement over the mountain. “The process is time consuming” is also an unsupported and imprecise description. Aim for accurate process verbs and natural collocations, while avoiding repetition of “formation” and “dry air.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and some attempts at complex structures, for example, “Because of the clouds formation rain falls…” and “When the dry winds reach’s inland areas…”. The sequence is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors remain and occasionally make relationships less clear. Examples include “The diagram explain,” where the subject and verb do not agree, and “the wind approach,” which also needs a plural verb. The sentence beginning “Starting from the sea…” is a fragment, while “In between two side plays major role” has problems with articles, number, and sentence structure. There are also errors in verb forms and punctuation. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and complete sentence construction, especially when combining stages with subordinate clauses.

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