Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-06

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 type of desert called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the formation consists of seven natural processes that result in the Windward side of mountains being humid and the Leeward side transforming into an arid dessert. From the winds delivering moist air upwards and causing rain, to then delivering dry air to the desert side.

To begin, winds approach the coast to then be pushed upwards due to collisions with the landscape. Next the moist air that was pulled upwards by the wind cools as it rises to eventually form clouds. These clouds fall rain on the Windward side but not on the Leeward side.

As the air loses nearly all moisture, it continues down to the Leeward side. There, the dry winds reach inland areas or in other words, the rain-shadow desert. At the end, the wind has travelled for thousands of kilometers side to side and a considerable amount of distance upwards and downwards across mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the diagram well, identifying the key stages from the moist air rising to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. The overview is clear and highlights the contrast between the windward and leeward sides effectively. However, the description of the process could be more precise; for instance, the mention of 'seven natural processes' is not clearly supported by the text, as the steps are somewhat blended. Additionally, the final sentence about the wind traveling 'thousands of kilometers' is not explicitly supported by the provided diagram, which is a minor issue regarding the interpretation of visual data. Overall, the main features are clearly presented and the response is well-focused.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological flow of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin', 'Next', and 'As the air' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the overview from the detailed process. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the overall cohesion. The referencing is clear, and the progression of ideas is logical throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, using terms like 'humid', 'arid', 'windward', and 'leeward' correctly. There is an attempt to use a range of vocabulary, though some phrasing is slightly repetitive or simplistic, such as 'delivering moist air' and 'delivering dry air'. The spelling error 'dessert' (instead of 'desert') is a noticeable slip that detracts from the overall quality. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more varied collocations and ensure precise word choice throughout the description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'These clouds fall rain on the Windward side', where 'fall' is used incorrectly as a transitive verb (should be 'release' or 'drop'). Additionally, the sentence 'From the winds delivering moist air upwards and causing rain, to then delivering dry air to the desert side' is a sentence fragment that lacks a main verb. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear, and the punctuation is generally handled well. Increasing the variety of complex structures while reducing minor errors would improve the score.

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

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