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 given diagram illustrates the formation of rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the formation is based on seven substanial stages. Starting with sea breeze from the sea and ending with dry winds by reaching inland areas. In this formation the winds is passed from various stages like cloud formation and rainfall.

Looking at the diagram more closely, First the winds approach the coastal area. Then the coastal winds make the sea water to evaporate and pushed upwards and the winds with water and moisture goes up through windward side and resulted in cloud formation. Due to high moisture on clouds it causes rainfall on mountains.

In the next stage, during the rainfall the dry air separated from the clouds and continues over mountains. Then, the dry air begin to come down by leeward side. In the last stage, the air become dry winds and reach the inland areas and reluted into rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland and identify the resulting rain-shadow desert. The overview also recognises the stages and mentions cloud formation and rainfall, so the response addresses the process rather than merely listing labels. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram does not show sea water evaporating, and it is moist air—not winds carrying water—that rises, cools and forms clouds. The explanation of how dry air continues over the mountain is also brief. To strengthen the account, describe the contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions beyond the leeward side, while keeping each stage faithful to the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the earlier and later stages of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “First,” “Then,” “In the next stage” and “In the last stage” help the reader follow the progression. This coherent structure is a strength. At times, however, the links between stages are mechanical, and some sentences combine several events without making their relationships clear—for example, the sentence about winds, moisture, the windward side and cloud formation. The overview also repeats details that are developed below. Use more precise links to show cause and result, and give each stage a clear sentence or clause so the progression is easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “rainfall,” “dry air” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in how you describe movement and sequence. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “the formation is based on” stages, “make the sea water to evaporate,” and “reluted into.” “Substantial” is misspelled as “substanial,” and “coastal winds” may suggest a different process from the diagram’s moist air rising. Aim for precise process verbs and natural collocations, such as “is formed through,” “is forced upwards” and “results in.” This would make the description clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “Starting with” and “Due to,” and the sequence is generally understandable. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, with errors in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction. Examples include “the winds is passed,” “the dry air begin,” and “the air become dry winds.” The sentence beginning “Starting with sea breeze” is a fragment, while “Due to high moisture on clouds it causes rainfall” has an unclear subject and faulty construction. Use complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement and tense consistently. For example: “Moist air rises over the windward side, cools and forms clouds, which produce rain.”

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