Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-23

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 akind of desert which is also known as rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process is comprised of 7 different processes, where each process is inter-related with one another. Fast moving coastal winds approach the mountains where rain clouds are formed and rainfall occurs on the windward side of the mountain and the dry air moves to the leeward side reaching the inland area after travelling thousands of kilometres.

Coastal gusts are pushed updwards towards the mountain where the moist air is cooled down and rose to form clouds. These clouds are later converted to rain clouds due to high precipitation which are eventually dried out after rain fall. This whole process occurs on the windward side of the mountains.

After rainfall, drier air is moved over the mountain reaching the bottom where the inland areas are.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as rain-shadow desert formation and give a broad overview of the windward-to-leeward sequence, including rising moist air, rainfall, and dry air moving inland. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows clouds forming before rain falls, not clouds being “converted to rain clouds,” and it does not describe “fast moving” winds or high precipitation. The final stage—dry winds reaching the inland rain-shadow desert—is only briefly mentioned, so the stages are not all explained with equal clarity. The response also falls short of the required 150 words. To strengthen the report, describe each labelled stage accurately and explain how the mountain creates a dry area on its leeward side.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall shape: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the windward and leeward stages. The sequence is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “After rainfall” help signal progression. However, the overview and body repeat some information, while the final paragraph is very brief and does not fully develop the inland outcome. Some linking is also awkward: “These clouds are later converted to rain clouds” does not clearly express the next stage in the process. Use a more consistent step-by-step progression, with each paragraph adding a distinct part of the diagram, and use precise references such as “on the leeward side” to make connections clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “coastal winds,” “moist air,” “windward side,” “rainfall,” and “inland areas.” These terms help communicate the main subject, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, some choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing the diagram: “high precipitation” and “converted to rain clouds” do not accurately describe the sequence, while “drier air is moved” is less natural than a direct process verb. There are also spelling errors in “akind” and “updwards.” Aim for accurate collocations and verbs that name each stage directly, such as “rises,” “cools,” “condenses,” and “continues inland.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “a kind of desert which is also known as rain-shadow desert” and a longer sentence describing the overall process. The main ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “the moist air is cooled down and rose” mixes passive and past-tense forms; use parallel forms such as “rises and cools.” In “the dry air moves … reaching the inland area,” the participle construction is awkward, and “the process is comprised of 7 different processes” is grammatically repetitive. Check verb forms and sentence construction, and use consistent present tense for a process diagram.

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