Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-25

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 below illustrates the steps which are performed in the formation of a desert known as rain shadow desert.

Overall,there are mainly seven steps which are required for its formation.The whole process ranges for thousands of kilometers.As the result of this long process is the formation of Rain-shadowm desert.

Firstly the winds approach at the coast through the sea and then upwards toward the mountain.As the winds further go vertically upwards the propotion of moist air increases due to this the temprature of the air also cools down.Due to increase in the moist air this results in the formation of the clouds.After the clouds are formed the process of rain fall starts at the top or peak of the mountain.

In comparison to the Windward side after rain fall the next step involves the air to dry at the top of the moutain and travel downwards towards the Leewardside.The final step involves the dry winds to reach the the Inland areas mostly at the bottom of the mountain.At the bottom of the moutain in the inland area the Rain-shadow finally forms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to the formation of the inland desert, and your overview identifies both the seven stages and the process’s large geographical scale. The account of rising air, cloud formation and rainfall on the mountain’s peak is relevant to the diagram. Some details, however, are unclear or not fully accurate: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, rather than the “proportion of moist air” increasing, and it does not specify that the desert forms at the mountain’s bottom. The windward-to-leeward transition is included, but the role of the mountain in causing the air to lose moisture could be explained more precisely. This covers the task well overall, with some features less fully developed than others.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by the early stages and then the movement of dry air inland. Sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “After the clouds are formed,” and “The final step” help the reader follow the process. However, some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Due to increase in the moist air this results” repeats the causal link without clearly showing how cooling leads to cloud formation, while “In comparison to the Windward side” does not express the intended transition to the leeward side. Paragraphing is sensible, but clearer references and more precise links between cause and effect would make the progression smoother and less dependent on formulaic sequencing.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “formation,” “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain fall,” and “Inland areas,” so the topic is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more specific terms such as “Windward side” and “Leewardside.” However, the range and control are uneven: “winds,” “process,” and “formation” recur, and some choices are inaccurate or awkward, including “the steps which are performed,” “the proportion of moist air increases,” and “the air to dry.” Spelling and word-form errors such as “propotion,” “temprature,” “moutain,” and “Rain-shadowm” are noticeable and sometimes distract the reader. More precise process collocations and careful spelling would improve clarity and flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including cause-and-effect structures with “as” and “due to,” and the sequence is usually understandable. However, complex sentences are not consistently controlled. For instance, “Due to increase in the moist air this results in the formation of the clouds” has a faulty construction, and “As the result of this long process is the formation…” is not a complete, well-formed sentence. There are also errors in articles, agreement and sentence boundaries, as in “the winds approach at the coast” and “the next step involves the air to dry.” Commas are often missing after introductory phrases, and spacing around punctuation is inconsistent. Greater control of clause structure and proofreading would make the range more effective.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.