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 illustrates the formation of a type of desert which is called as rain-shadow desert. The process involves several stages and prominents includes: Winds Approaching coast, Air Pushed Upwards, Moist air rises and cool, cloud formation, rain fall, dry air flow, dry air reaches inland to form rain shadow desert and that happens by covering thousands of kilometers.

The air from the sea level evaporates and moves up along the mountains and the liquified air cools down and condensation leads to the formation of cloud precipitations. These clouds becomes the cause of rain fall on the top of mountains and towards the leeward side dry air blow continuesly and then the dry air reaches the inland area where it cause the development of rain-shadow desert. In comparison to the distance, the process covers thousands of kilometers of the earth and produces this phenomenon.

Finally, the reasons and the causes of the development of rain-shadow desert discussed above, it is clear that the process involves the physical and chemical changes and that too after travelling kilometers of distance.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds rising over the mountains to rainfall on the windward side and dry air reaching inland, so the process is recognisable and relevant. You also identify the rain-shadow desert and the diagram’s large horizontal scale. However, some stages are not fully or accurately explained: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, then clouds forming and rain falling, whereas “air from the sea level evaporates” introduces evaporation, which is not shown. The overview is also weakened by the final claim about “physical and chemical changes,” which is vague and unsupported. To strengthen the report, give a concise overview of the contrast between the wet windward slope and dry leeward inland area, then describe each stage precisely without adding causes absent from the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a broadly logical order: an opening summary is followed by a description of the process and a concluding sentence. The sequence from rising air to clouds, rain and dry inland winds is generally easy to follow. However, the first paragraph lists stages in a compressed, uneven way, and the final paragraph repeats the idea of the process rather than adding a useful summary. Linking phrases such as “and then” are used mechanically, while “In comparison to the distance” does not establish a clear comparison. Organise the report into a clear introduction, an overview, and a chronological account, using precise links such as “as a result” and “on the leeward side” only where they clarify relationships.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “condensation,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the process. There is also some attempt to vary wording, for example “formation” and “development.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “prominents includes” is not an appropriate way to introduce stages, “cloud precipitations” is unclear, and “dry air blow continuesly” contains incorrect word forms and spelling. “Liquified air” is also misleading because the diagram describes moist air cooling, not becoming liquid. Aim for accurate process collocations and consistent terminology, such as “moist air rises,” “clouds form,” and “precipitation falls.” This would make the vocabulary more precise and natural for a diagram report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a sequence joined with “and” and a relative clause in “a type of desert which is called…”. The main stages can usually be understood, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “These clouds becomes” has subject–verb disagreement, while “the dry air reaches the inland area where it cause” also needs agreement. The opening phrase “which is called as” uses an incorrect grammatical pattern, and the final sentence beginning “Finally, the reasons and the causes…” is not a complete, well-formed sentence. Work on agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries, and make sure each sentence has a clear subject and main verb. More controlled complex sentences would improve accuracy without sacrificing range.

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