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)

The given diagram illustrates how rain shadow desert is formed.

Overall, it is evident that the side which do not recieve rain is known as rain shadow desert. As the clouds are unable to cross over the mountain, the other side only recieves dry winds.

It is evident from the given diagram that firstly the winds from the sea approach the coast. The winds from the coast are further pushed upwards. As the winds rise, they convert into moist air and cools. This cool air then becomes clouds. These clouds then fill with water and causes rain. Due to high mountain, the clouds are unable to travel towards the other side of the mountain and hence the other side of the mountain do not recieve enough rain. Due to not recieving rain, only dry winds reach inland areas. This is the reason why the other side of mountain is very dry and rough.

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 your overview identifies the key contrast between the rainy windward side and the dry inland side. This is a relevant account of the process. Some details, however, are unclear or not fully accurate: the air does not “convert into moist air”; rather, moist air rises and cools, forming clouds. The claim that clouds are unable to cross the mountain is also stronger than the diagram shows, which indicates that dry air continues over it. The final description of the land as “rough” is not supported by the visual. More precise reporting of these stages would make the explanation more complete and developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an overview is followed by a chronological account of the process. Sequencing phrases such as “firstly,” “then,” and “hence” help the reader follow the stages. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, with repeated openings such as “It is evident” and repeated references to “the other side of the mountain.” Some links also express an inaccurate cause-and-effect relationship, particularly the suggestion that clouds cannot cross the mountain. Use clearer referencing and vary the transitions—for example, group the rising, cooling, cloud formation, and rainfall into one connected stage, then explain the movement of dry air inland. This would make the progression smoother without changing the basic paragraph structure.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “approach,” “pushed upwards,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “dry winds,” so the main ideas are understandable. However, the range is somewhat repetitive, especially in the repeated use of “winds,” “clouds,” and “mountain,” and several choices are imprecise for describing the diagram. “Convert into moist air” is not a natural description of the process, while “fill with water” is less precise than saying that clouds form and rain falls. There are also spelling errors in “recieve” and “recieving.” Aim for accurate process collocations and use terms such as “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “precipitation” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “As” and “Due to,” and the sequence is generally understandable. Some grammatical errors remain. In “the side which do not recieve rain,” the verb should agree with the singular “side”; similarly, “the other side … do not recieve” needs “does not.” In “This cool air then becomes clouds,” the singular subject and plural complement do not agree, and “clouds … causes rain” also has a subject–verb agreement error. The sentence “As the winds rise, they convert into moist air and cools” has inconsistent subject reference and verb forms. Check agreement and keep the subject clear when describing each stage; these corrections would improve accuracy while retaining your sentence variety.

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