Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-02

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 formation of a desert, known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the processdiagram contains seven stages, it shows the coast and how the winds approach the coast, how rain falls and went to inland areas.

The formation of rain-shdow deserts started from first step in which the wind approached to the coast and it carry moister from the see, after that it forced to rise in upward position. Step three illustrates that, how air moisturize and cooled, as it is coming from the sea coast. Step four shows the formation of clouds because of the cooling air.

Furthermore, in stage five the clouds produce rainfall on the windward side of the mountain. Moreover, after losing its moisture, the drybair passes over the mountain through the leeward side. Step seven depicts the dry wind which reach to inland areas and very little rainfall occure. Consequently, a rain-shadow desert developes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the diagram as a process and cover its main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland and a desert developing. The overview also notes the seven stages, while details such as rainfall on the windward side and dry air crossing the leeward side are relevant and accurate. This gives the account a clear task focus. However, the overview is not fully precise: “how rain falls and went to inland areas” blurs the contrast between precipitation on the mountain’s windward side and dry winds continuing inland. The final stage could also be explained more clearly as the result of moisture loss over the mountains. A sharper summary of this cause-and-effect relationship would make the key features more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response follows the process in a sensible order, and the use of “Overall,” “Furthermore,” “Moreover,” and “Consequently” helps signal summary, added stages, and outcome. The progression from coastal winds through rainfall to the inland desert is generally easy to follow. However, some links are mechanical or unclear: “after that it forced to rise” does not clearly identify what is forced upward, and the overview’s phrase “how rain falls and went to inland areas” makes the sequence difficult to interpret. The paragraphing is limited, with the overview and stage-by-stage account running together. Separate the overview from the detailed stages and use clearer references such as “the air” or “the wind” to strengthen cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” “rainfall,” and “formation,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variation in how stages are introduced. However, noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision: “rain-shdow,” “moister,” “see,” “drybair,” “occure,” and “developes” should be corrected. Some expressions are also unnatural, such as “forced to rise in upward position” and “air moisturize and cooled.” Prefer concise, accurate collocations such as “is forced upwards” and “moist air rises and cools.” The vocabulary is adequate for describing the process, but more accurate spelling and natural phrasing are needed for clearer control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses with “because” and “after,” and the sequence is usually understandable. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction remain noticeable. For example, “the wind approached … and it carry” shifts tense and has incorrect agreement; “after that it forced to rise” is missing a clear grammatical subject and passive construction; and “a rain-shadow desert developes” has an incorrect verb form. The overview also joins two independent clauses with a comma: “contains seven stages, it shows…”. Use consistent present simple for a diagram, check subject–verb agreement, and separate or connect clauses correctly. These revisions would make your range of structures more controlled.

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