Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-31

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 given sketch illustrates how to made rain-shadow deserts, from single type of desert, which is known as a formation of rain-shadow deserts, basically this phenomenon consists of seven stages. To began from sea and goes to inland the rain-shadow desert.

Firstly, the stage starts from sea where the winds approach coast goes into winds pushed upwards direction. Similarly, in the next stage moist air rising and cools the surrounded area. Furthermore, in the windward side of mountain, the clouds formation happened and after that the rain falls in certain area. One the next stage, rain stopped and dry air continues over the mountain in the leeward side goes downward direction. Ultimately, the dry winds reached inland areas and the season got smooth.

Moreover, lower side of mountain depicts thousands of kilometers and the left side sea and coast nearby, whereas the right side rain-shadow desert on the inland area. In additionally, in this process the formation of rain-shadow desert should be happened.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision in reporting the key features. While you identify the movement from the sea to the inland desert, the explanation of the stages is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'the season got smooth'. The overview is weak, as it does not clearly synthesize the overall process of moisture loss and air warming. To improve, focus on clearly identifying the transition points—moist air, orographic lift, precipitation, and the rain-shadow effect—rather than listing them as a simple sequence of events.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'One the next stage' and 'In additionally'. The progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed, particularly in the final paragraph where the connection between the mountain's height and the desert formation is not clearly linked to the previous stages. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words will help the flow of your writing significantly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'goes', 'happened', and 'side'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'how to made' instead of 'how to describe the formation of' and 'season got smooth', which does not accurately convey the scientific process. While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'windward' and 'leeward', these are not always used in a natural or precise way. Expanding your range of verbs and adjectives would help you describe the process more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are persistent issues with verb forms ('how to made', 'clouds formation happened'), articles ('from sea', 'in inland'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple or contain errors in basic syntax, such as 'the winds approach coast goes into winds pushed upwards'. While the meaning is generally discernible, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and correct article usage to improve accuracy.

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