Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-28

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 process involved in formation of rain shadow desert.

Overall we can see seven steps involved in the process and shows coast, sea, mountains and inland as main areas.

The diagram shows that initially the wind reaches coastal areas and sea pushing the water droplets upwards with it along the mountain and the air becomes moist due to water droplets from the sea. It then reaches a certain point in the atmoshpere where the droplets cools down and then moving along the windward side of mountain cloud formation occurs. The next step shows rain fall that occurs mostly on the windward side of mountain and once the moisture of air has been dropped down in form of rain dry wind continues to move over the mountain along leeward side and finally when that dry air reaches the inland area rain shaow desert is formed there.

The wind blows all the time and moves along the mountain but the only difference is that on one side of mountain it combines with water and falls in form of rain conversly to the other side of the mountain that only gets dry air which ultimately leads toward rain shadow desert formation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You cover the main sequence and give a clear overall account: moist air rises over the mountains, rain falls on the windward side, and dry air continues inland to create the rain-shadow desert. This matches the diagram and addresses the key stages. The overview also identifies the main geographical areas, while the final comparison between the wetter and drier sides reinforces the process. Some details are less precise: the diagram shows winds approaching from the sea and being forced upwards by the mountains, rather than “pushing the water droplets upwards”; it does not show droplets travelling with the wind. To strengthen the report further, describe the stages directly and avoid adding mechanisms not explicitly shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the process in a generally logical order, moving from the coast to the mountains and then inland. The opening overview and the later contrast between the two sides help the reader understand the main pattern. However, most of the explanation is packed into one very long paragraph and sentence, so the stages are difficult to follow. Linking phrases such as “It then,” “The next step,” and “finally” provide progression, but the final paragraph repeats the contrast already described rather than adding a distinct point. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the detailed sequence, and divide the sequence into shorter sentences with clear references to each stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” “cloud formation,” and “rain shadow desert,” which allows you to describe the diagram’s main features. There is also some variation in how you refer to the air and wind. However, several choices are imprecise or awkward, such as “combines with water,” “falls in form of rain,” and “rain shaow desert.” Spelling slips such as “atmoshpere” and “conversly” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process collocations, for example, say that moist air rises, cools, and produces precipitation, while dry air descends or continues inland. This would make the description more natural and exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex structures, including a sequence of clauses linked with “and,” “once,” and “when.” The overall meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors occur, particularly in the long sentences. For example, “Overall we can see seven steps involved in the process and shows” has an unclear subject and faulty agreement; “the droplets cools down” also has subject–verb disagreement. The sentence beginning “The diagram shows that initially” contains several clauses joined without clear punctuation, making the relationships harder to follow. Use shorter sentences, check singular and plural agreement, and ensure each clause has a clear subject and verb. More accurate control of these structures would improve readability.

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