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 presents the process of formation of one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert. Overall, it is a seven step process where the mountains have a sea on one side and an inland on the other. Left side where process of precipitation is created is called windward side and the right side is known as leeward side where the dry winds flow.

To begin with, the entire process starts with winds above the sea that approach coast. These winds are then pushed upwards from the ground level of the mountains. On the Windward side, the moist air rises and cools down as it moves upwards, and leads to the formation of clouds. The rain fall then occurs at the peak of the mountains.

On the Leeward side, the precipitation causes dry air to continuously move over the mountains. The dry winds then reach the inland areas at the bottom and passes through the area. This leads to the formation of rain-shadow deserts. The coastal area is thousands of kilometers away from the inland rag.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and describe its main sequence: winds approach the coast, rise and cool, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air moves inland to create a desert. The windward/leeward contrast is also relevant. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: rain is shown falling above the windward side and peak, not simply “at the peak,” and the sentence saying “the precipitation causes dry air” misrepresents the process—the air becomes dry after losing moisture as rain. The final distance statement is also unclear and does not explain the scale. A more precise overview and clearer explanation of how rainfall leads to dry conditions inland would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the stages on the windward side and then the leeward side. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with” and “then” help the reader follow the process. However, some links between ideas are not fully logical, particularly “the precipitation causes dry air to continuously move over the mountains,” which makes the relationship between rainfall and the air’s later dryness unclear. The final sentence about the coastal area being thousands of kilometres away is disconnected from the preceding explanation. Use clearer cause-and-effect links and ensure each paragraph develops the process rather than adding an isolated detail.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “moist air,” “precipitation,” “windward side,” and “leeward side.” These terms suit the diagram and help convey its stages. There are, however, some imprecise or awkward choices: “an inland” is not natural in this context, “rain fall” is incorrectly formed as two words, and “inland rag” appears to be a mistaken word choice that obscures the meaning. “Passes through the area” is also vague when describing the dry winds reaching inland. Choose precise geographical terms and check collocations and spelling so that the technical vocabulary remains clear and consistent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses linked with “as” and “where,” and most of the process remains understandable. Some grammatical errors persist. For example, “Left side where process of precipitation is created” is an incomplete construction, while “the dry winds … passes” has a subject–verb agreement error. Articles and sentence structure also need attention in “winds … approach coast” and “mountains have a sea on one side and an inland on the other.” The sentence beginning “On the Leeward side” has an unclear grammatical relationship between precipitation and dry air. Aim to make each sentence complete and check agreement, articles, and clause connections.

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