Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-01

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 of how one type of desert is formed that is known as rain-shadow deserts, is formed.

Overall, the process of rain-shadow deserts contain seven distinct stages. it starts with the winds approach coast at sea and end with dry wind which is reached at inland areas.

At the initial stage, the winds approach coast goes upward which is pushed from the sea coast, then it converts in]to moist air rise and cool in the third stage, after which it will converted into cloud forms at the windward side. After that, clouds forms transformed into rain falls at the top of the mountains.

After that, rain falls changed into dry air which is continue over the mountain toward leeward side which is the 6 stage of the formation. Finally, dry air which comes from leeward side transform into dry winds which is reached at the inland areas

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence and identify the overall movement from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. The stages of rising and cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air crossing the mountain are all included, so the account is relevant and broadly accurate. However, some stages are not fully or clearly explained: for example, the opening says the winds “goes upward” without clearly stating that the mountains force them upwards, and the final transformation into dry winds is repeated rather than explaining the resulting rain-shadow desert. A clearer overview should highlight the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions inland on the leeward side. More precise reporting of these relationships would make the main features more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an overview followed by a description of the stages, and the sequence is generally easy to follow. Connectors such as “At the initial stage,” “After that,” and “Finally” help signal progression. However, the repeated use of “After that” makes the linking somewhat mechanical, and some references are unclear: “it” and “which” do not always identify whether the subject is wind, air, clouds, or rain. The overview also says the process “end[s] with dry wind,” while the final paragraph repeats this point without clearly linking it to the desert’s location. Use more varied sequencing language and make each stage’s subject explicit to improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “rain falls,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There are also attempts to describe change with verbs such as “transformed” and “converted.” However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward for this process: “rain falls changed into dry air” suggests a literal transformation, and “cloud forms transformed into rain falls” is not a natural collocation. Repetition of “after that,” “dry air,” and “which is reached” also limits flexibility. Choose precise process verbs such as “rise,” “cool,” “condense,” “precipitate,” and “continue,” and use the diagram’s labels accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses linked with “after which” and “which,” and the overall sequence can usually be understood. However, some errors in verb forms and agreement make the description less controlled. For example, “the process … contain” should use a singular verb, while “the winds approach coast goes upward” combines incompatible subject–verb forms. The phrase “it will converted” also needs a passive form such as “it is converted,” and “clouds forms” has incorrect agreement. Sentence boundaries and capitalization need attention too, as in “it starts” after a full stop. Practise accurate present-simple passive constructions for describing processes, while keeping sentences shorter when several stages are being explained.

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