Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-24

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 outlines the stages of the formation of the one type of desert which is known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, this diagram consists seven distinct stages. Process begins with wind formation at a coastal area and ends with formation of rain shadow desert thousands killometers away from the sea.

Initially, the process starts with the wind movement at the coast area then it is pushes in a upward direction from the coast area towards the mountain side. After that dry air gets converted into the moist air and it cooled down at a windward side. Subsequently, moist air forms a cloud at the windward side then after rain falls occure at the peak of the mountain.

Following this, next stage occurs at the leeward side where dry air continues over mountain. After this stage, dry air converts into the dry winds which reaches at the inland areas. This inlad area is thousands killometres away from the coast area. This is the area where rain-shadow dessert forms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence and provide a clear overall summary: winds begin near the coast, rain falls on the windward side, and dry winds eventually reach inland areas where the desert forms. This addresses the key stages and the diagram’s broad spatial relationship. However, some process details are inaccurate: the air does not change from dry to moist after rising; the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, then clouds forming and rain falling. The description of the final stage is also somewhat repetitive, and the significance of the windward and leeward sides could be explained more clearly. The overview and relevant details are present, but correcting the causal sequence and developing the contrast between the two mountain sides would make the account more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the earlier and later stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Subsequently,” and “Following this” help the reader follow the process. The progression is generally logical, though some links feel mechanical or repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “After this stage” and “This is the area.” A few references are unclear: “it” in “then it is pushes” does not clearly identify the wind, and “this inland area” repeats information without adding much. Grouping the stages into a smoother cause-and-effect account, and using clearer references to air and the mountain sides, would improve cohesion while preserving the effective overall organisation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in sequencing language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “wind formation” for winds approaching the coast, “wind movement,” and “dry air converts into the dry winds.” The repeated use of “area” and “stage” also limits precision. Spelling errors, including “killometers,” “inlad,” and “dessert,” are noticeable and reduce the accuracy of the description. Aim for precise process verbs such as “rise,” “cool,” “condense,” and “continue,” and check spelling carefully; this would make the vocabulary more flexible and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence linked with “then” and clauses introduced by “where.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but errors occur across several sentence patterns. For example, “this diagram consists seven” needs a preposition, while “then it is pushes” has an incorrect verb form. In “After that dry air gets converted into the moist air and it cooled down,” the article and verb forms are not controlled, and the sentence also misstates the process. Subject–verb agreement is problematic in “dry winds which reaches.” These errors make some sentences awkward and occasionally obscure the intended sequence. Practise accurate passive forms and agreement, and use shorter, controlled sentences when describing each stage before combining them into complex structures.

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