Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-03

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)

Rain shadow desert is the result of dry wind reaching inland areas over a mountain. The whole process completes in stages. Winds are formed in sea and rushes towards the coastal areas, when there is a mountain in the coastal area the wind is pushed upwards to the mountain. As the moist air from the sea rises into windward side of the mountain, it gets cold and at higher altitude clouds are formed from this moist air. These clouds then makes the rain on the mountain and the water of the rain goes down over the mountain into the sea. While the dry wind after the raining continue to moves down the mountain on the leeward side. When the dry wind reaches at inland at the bottom of the mountain it eventually turns the land into a desert. Thus as a result of dry wind reaching to inland areas over a longer period of time forms rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland, and correctly identifies the windward and leeward sides. The opening and closing sentences also convey the central outcome: dry winds contribute to the formation of a rain-shadow desert. This gives the account a clear overall focus. To make the description more complete and precise, distinguish the diagram’s stages more explicitly: rain falls on the windward side, while dry air continues over the mountain before reaching the inland area. The claim that rainwater flows down the mountain into the sea is not shown, and the suggestion that the land becomes desert over a longer period adds a timescale not indicated in the diagram. These details limit how fully the process is reported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The stages are presented in a generally logical order, and linking expressions such as “As,” “While,” and “Thus” help the reader follow the process from the sea to the inland desert. The response also maintains a consistent focus on the formation sequence. However, the account is written as one continuous paragraph, and some connections are awkward or unclear. For example, “when there is a mountain in the coastal area” makes the relationship between the coast and mountain less precise, while “While the dry wind…” begins a dependent clause without a clear main clause. The final sentence largely repeats the opening idea. Grouping the stages into a clear introduction/overview and a sequenced explanation, and using references such as “this air” carefully, would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for describing the process, with relevant terms such as “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “altitude,” and “inland areas.” These choices show some awareness of the diagram’s subject-specific language, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, several word choices and collocations are imprecise or repetitive: “winds are formed in sea” does not accurately describe the diagram, and “makes the rain” is an unnatural way to describe precipitation. “Dry wind” is repeated where “dry air” or “descending winds” could provide more precise variation. The phrase “turns the land into a desert” also overstates the process shown. More accurate process vocabulary and natural collocations would make the description clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “As” and “when,” and the sequence remains understandable overall. However, some errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction reduce accuracy. For example, “These clouds then makes” should use a plural verb, while “the dry wind … continue to moves” combines an incorrect subject–verb form with an incorrect infinitive construction. “Winds are formed in sea” also has an article and structure problem. In addition, “While the dry wind…” is an incomplete sentence, and several long sentences join stages without clear punctuation. Aim for accurate, shorter process sentences and check agreement and verb patterns, such as “continues to move.”

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