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)

The process diagram depicts how one type of desert which is also known as rain-shadow desert is formed. It involves different phases to reach the end point.

Overall, the sequence is linear and consist of seven main stages, each of them is necessary for the outcome. Starting from the sea coast coverning thousands of kilometeres reaching the final stage of rain-shadow desert.

The process begins with the wind appraoch coast touches the sea level, showing the upward trend through the mountain while pushing the wind up. Going through windward side mosit air rises and cools down,and made the production of clouds possible from the same side.

After the formation of clouds rain falls in the form of droplets from the top of the mountains whereas the dry air countinues over mountain through leeward side downwards. At the final stage dry wind reach inland area making the formation of rain-shadow desert possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the diagram as a process and give a clear overall account that it proceeds through seven stages, from the sea to the formation of a rain-shadow desert. The main sequence is largely accurate: moist air rises and cools, clouds form, rain falls on the windward side, and dry air continues over the mountain towards inland areas. This covers the task, although some details are less fully explained. For example, the opening says the wind “touches the sea level,” which is not a distinct stage shown, and the role of the mountain in forcing the wind upwards could be stated more precisely. To strengthen the report, describe the contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side explicitly, and make clear that the desert forms inland beyond the mountains.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages in sequence. Time and sequence markers such as “The process begins,” “After the formation of clouds,” and “At the final stage” help the reader follow the process. This logical progression is a strength. However, some connections are awkward or unclear, particularly “Starting from the sea coast coverning thousands of kilometeres reaching the final stage,” which does not form a complete, clear statement. The phrase “from the same side” also requires the reader to infer which side is meant. Use more precise links between stages and ensure each sentence clearly identifies its subject; this would make cohesion less dependent on repeated sequencing phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which allows you to describe the diagram’s main features. There is also some attempt at more formal wording, such as “sequence” and “formation.” However, several spelling errors—“coverning,” “kilometeres,” “appraoch,” “mosit,” and “countinues”—reduce accuracy. Some choices are also imprecise or unnatural: “touches the sea level” does not clearly describe winds approaching from the sea, while “made the production of clouds possible” is unnecessarily cumbersome. Aim for accurate, natural collocations such as “winds approach the coast” and “clouds form,” and proofread spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “which” and “while,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, some grammatical errors remain. In the overview, “the sequence is linear and consist” has a subject–verb agreement error; it should be “consists.” The sentence beginning “Starting from the sea coast” is a fragment, and “the wind appraoch coast touches the sea level” lacks a clear grammatical structure. In “dry wind reach inland area,” the verb and noun forms need adjustment (“dry winds reach the inland area”). Punctuation also needs attention, especially the missing space after the comma in “cools down,and.” Build complete sentences with clear subjects and check agreement, articles, and punctuation to improve control.

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

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