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 diagram illustrates the natural process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed, involving seven main stages from sea to inland.

Overall, the process starts when wind approach from the sea hit coastal mountains and ends with the rain shadow desert thousands of kilometers inland on the leeward side.

Initially, wind approach the coast from the sea and are pushed upwards when they meet the mountain range. Afterwards, moist air rises and get cool, which leads to the formation of clouds. In result, rain starts falling on windward side of mountains.

Subsequently, the air which continues leeward side becomes dry. Finally, these dry wind reache inland areas far from the coast. Here no rain falls which results in the formation of rain shadow desert.

In summary, the mountain acts as a barrier that blocks moisture, causing rain on one side and a desert on the other.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the process as a sequence from the sea to an inland rain-shadow desert, and your overview correctly highlights the mountain’s role and the contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dryness beyond it. The stages of rising, cooling, cloud formation and rain are also reported in the right order. However, some details are less fully explained: for example, “the air which continues leeward side becomes dry” does not clearly state that dry air crosses the mountain before reaching inland areas. The response also falls four words short of the required 150. To strengthen the account, clarify the transition over the mountain and describe the desert’s inland location more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological account of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Afterwards,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the stages, and the final sentence reinforces the main cause-and-effect relationship. Some linking is mechanical, however, and “In summary” repeats the function of the earlier overview rather than adding a distinct concluding point. The transition beginning “Subsequently” is also abrupt, while “the air which continues leeward side” leaves the relationship between the mountain and the inland area unclear. Use cohesive devices more selectively and make each stage connect explicitly to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “formation of clouds,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “barrier,” which allows the main ideas to be understood. There is also some useful variation in describing the stages. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “wind approach,” “get cool,” “In result,” and “dry wind reache.” The repeated use of “wind” and “air” also limits flexibility, and “rain shadow desert” is not consistently presented as the compound term “rain-shadow desert.” Aim for precise process verbs and natural collocations, while checking spelling and word forms. These improvements would make the description more fluent and exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including the relative clause in “the air which continues leeward side” and the cause-and-effect clause “which leads to the formation of clouds.” The sequence is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Subject–verb agreement is incorrect in “wind approach” and “dry wind reache,” while “moist air rises and get cool” has a mismatch in verb form. Articles and prepositions are also missing in phrases such as “on windward side” and “continues leeward side.” These errors do not prevent the reader from following the process, but they reduce accuracy. Check agreement and article use, and revise complex clauses to ensure their grammatical relationships are complete.

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

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