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 given diagram depicts the formation of rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it is a linear process which consists of seven stages, starts with the winds blowing through the coast at a speed of thousands of kilometres from the sea, reach to the top of mountain as cloud and ends with the formation of rain-shadow desert.

Initially, a brief rush of wind from the sea surface hit into the land and it pushed air on the land upwards. Subsequently, due to the force of strong wind, moist air rises and it cools when the altitude is increased. When this cooler air reached to almost the top of the mountain, it formed as clouds.

In the next stage, the rain started to fall from the cold clouds. During this time, the dry air located on the mountain peak blows downward through the leeward side of the mountain. Finally, dry winds reach inland areas and form a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence and give a clear overview that the process has seven stages and ends with a rain-shadow desert. The account correctly includes moist air rising and cooling, cloud formation, rain on the windward side, and dry winds continuing inland. This is relevant and generally accurate. However, some details are unclear or not fully grounded in the diagram: the winds do not travel “at a speed of thousands of kilometres”; that label indicates the horizontal scale. The opening stage is also better described as winds approaching the coast and being forced upwards by the mountains, rather than a “brief rush” hitting land. To strengthen the response, distinguish the windward and leeward sides explicitly and describe the mountain’s role more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an overview followed by the early and later stages, with a logical progression from sea to inland desert. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Subsequently,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. The paragraphing is also appropriate. Some links are less precise or slightly mechanical, however. “During this time” does not clearly identify the relationship between rainfall and the dry air crossing the mountain, while “In the next stage” repeats the step-by-step framing without adding much cohesion. The overview’s long sentence also combines the scale, wind movement, clouds, and endpoint in a way that makes the sequence harder to follow. Use clearer references to the windward and leeward sides and keep each stage’s relationship explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “altitude,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There is some variety in how the stages are described. However, several choices are imprecise or do not collocate naturally: “winds blowing through the coast,” “rush of wind,” and “hit into the land” do not describe the diagram accurately or idiomatically. “Reach to the top” and “formed as clouds” are also awkward expressions. The phrase “at a speed of thousands of kilometres” misuses the scale label. Aim for precise process language such as “approach the coast,” “are forced upwards,” and “clouds form,” while retaining the useful technical terms you already use.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “when” and “due to,” and the sequence remains understandable. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly in verb forms and sentence construction. In the overview, “which consists of seven stages, starts … reach … and ends” has an inconsistent subject and verb pattern; “starts” should also be “starting” after “which consists.” In “a brief rush of wind … hit,” the singular subject requires “hits,” and “it pushed air … upwards” shifts tense and has an unclear reference. “When this cooler air reached …, it formed as clouds” also uses an unsuitable verb pattern. Use consistent present simple for a process and check subject–verb agreement, articles, and clause structure. These corrections would make your varied sentences more controlled.

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.