Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-27

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)

As far as this graphical description is concerned, this diagram illustrate that how the formation of rain-shadow desert happens.

Overall, the process consist of seven different stages, beginning with accumulation of moisture over the ocean and after precipitation how worm air traveled and turned into a barren desert.

The first stage of the process is the moving of wind towards the coast, which carries moisture and when this air with moisture collided with higher mountains consisted over the bank. Due to the high pressure of air, it travels up in the sky. As the air rises higher, it undergo the process of cooling. After cooling air turned into clouds.

Once clouds are formed, precipitation occurs over the windward side of mountains and then dry air travel over the mountains to leeward side of mountains and these dry airs traveled towards the inland areas and these warm air reach far thousands of kilometers and formed the rain-shadow barren desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to rain falling on the windward side and dry air reaching inland, and your overview identifies a seven-stage process. These details are broadly consistent with the diagram. However, some stages are not fully or clearly reported: the diagram shows moist air being forced upwards by the mountains, but “Due to the high pressure of air” gives a different explanation. The opening also refers to moisture accumulating over the ocean, which is not explicitly shown. The final outcome is clear, though the description could more precisely explain that the dry air crosses the mountain’s leeward side and creates a rain-shadow desert inland. More accurate coverage of these details would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the process in a generally logical order, and phrases such as “The first stage” and “Once clouds are formed” help signal progression. The overview is separated from the stage-by-stage account, giving the reader a basic structure. However, most of the description is packed into two long paragraphs, and the final paragraph contains several stages joined together, making the sequence harder to follow. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “and after precipitation how worm air traveled.” Use clearer sentence boundaries and connect each stage explicitly—for example, explain the rising and cooling air, then cloud formation and rainfall, before describing the dry air’s movement inland. This would make the progression smoother and references easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of process vocabulary, including “precipitation,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There are also attempts at more descriptive wording, such as “barren desert.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “worm air” appears to mean warm air, “bank” is not an appropriate term for the mountain slope, and “accumulation of moisture” does not clearly describe winds carrying moist air. “Dry airs” is also an unsuitable plural form. Aim for precise, conventional process language and avoid adding descriptions such as “barren” when a simpler label is clearer. More accurate collocations would make the account more natural and exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning “which” and “when,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, some errors in sentence structure and verb forms reduce accuracy. For example, “this diagram illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “the process consist” and “it undergo” also need agreement. The opening phrase “illustrate that how” uses an unnecessary “that,” and “After cooling air turned into clouds” needs clearer grammatical construction. Long sentences, especially the final one, combine several actions without clear punctuation. Practise accurate agreement and use shorter sentences to separate stages; this will preserve your range while making the process easier to understand.

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

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