Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-31

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 process charts illustrates the formation of rain-shadow deserts. It contains 7 step from wind approach coast to dry wind reach inland areas and the distance between sea and inland is in thousands of kilometres.

Overall, the major and long step in process of formation of rain-shadow deserts is cloud formation towards windward side and the rain falls at the peak of mountain.

On one side of mountain, there is a sea with coast from where winds approach coast, which is pushed the winds in upwards. Than moist air rises and cools as winds continue to flow in upwards direction toward windwards side. Thereafter, formation of clouds process start and after clouds are filled totally with water , then the clouds burst and rain falls at the peak of the mountain.

On the other side of mountain, after the rain fall dry air continues over mountain towards leeward side and lastly dry winds reache in land areas and rain shadow desert formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the full sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and correctly identifies the sea-facing windward side, the leeward side, and the desert beyond the mountains. The overview also highlights the key contrast between rain on the windward side and dry conditions inland. This gives the account a clear, relevant focus. However, some details are less fully or accurately explained: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, but the claim that clouds become “filled totally with water” and “burst” adds a mechanism not shown. Calling cloud formation and rainfall the “major and long step” is also unclear, since the diagram presents a sequence rather than a duration. A more precise overview and closer adherence to the labelled stages would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible order: an introduction, an overview, then a description of the windward and leeward sides. Sequencing expressions such as “Thereafter” and “lastly” help the reader follow the process, and the contrast between “one side” and “the other side” provides a basic organising framework. This is coherent overall, though some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “which is pushed the winds in upwards” makes the relationship between the mountain and the winds difficult to follow, while “after clouds are filled totally with water” creates an abrupt, unsupported transition. Use clearer stage-to-stage links and refer consistently to the air, clouds, and mountain so that each sentence connects unambiguously to the previous one.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “dry air,” and “rain-shadow desert,” showing an adequate range for describing the diagram. Some less common terms are attempted, but several choices are inaccurate or awkward: “process charts” is not the right label for a diagram, “clouds are filled totally with water” is imprecise, and “rain shadow desert formed” lacks a natural verb phrase. There are also spelling and word-form slips, such as “reache” and “in land.” These do not prevent the reader from understanding the overall process, but they limit precision and naturalness. Prefer concise, conventional process language and check spelling and collocations during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence joined with “as” and clauses introduced by “after.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make relationships between stages harder to understand. Examples include “The process charts illustrates,” where the subject and verb do not agree, “It contains 7 step,” and “which is pushed the winds in upwards,” which has a faulty clause structure. Other problems include “formation of clouds process start” and “rain shadow desert formed,” where articles, verb forms, or sentence structure are missing. To improve, build accurate basic clauses first, then add subordinate clauses; check subject–verb agreement, singular and plural forms, and complete verb phrases. Clearer punctuation around longer sentences would also help.

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.