Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-09

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 process diagram illustrates the formation of a particular type of of desert called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, rain-shadow deserts are the type of desert where one side is called the leeward side of the mountain is extremely dry and arid while the side facing the wind, named the windward side experiences rainfall and it is generally moist.

The wind blows over the sea and pushes towards the mountains. The sea water gets evaporated and rises above in the air. As the moist air rises up towards the sky and starts to cool down which results in the formation of clouds. These clouds retain water in them and eventually starts raining.

The side of the mountain which the wind blows towards is called the windward side. The windward side experiences heavy rainfall while the side facing away from the wind known as the leeward side remains dry. The mountains stretch over a thousands of kilometers in area, so the clouds generally run out of rain water till it reaches the leeward side of the mountain. This results in the dry air blowing over the dry side of the mountain which makes its way towards the inland and the rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have clearly distinguished between the windward and leeward sides and explained the causal link between moisture loss and aridity. The overview is functional, though it could be more concise. To reach a higher band, ensure that the description of the process is strictly objective; for instance, the phrase 'clouds generally run out of rain water' is slightly informal. Overall, you have covered all parts of the task well and provided a clear summary of the diagrammatic information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that follow the sequence of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'As the moist air rises', 'These clouds', and 'This results in' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the use of some cohesive markers is slightly repetitive. The progression of ideas is clear, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'arid', 'leeward', 'windward', and 'evaporated' correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'rises above in the air' (redundant) and 'run out of rain water' (slightly informal). While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary, the range is adequate rather than wide. To improve, focus on more precise collocations and avoid slightly awkward phrasing to show greater flexibility and control over your word choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'a particular type of of desert' (repetition), 'the side is called the leeward side... is extremely dry' (faulty sentence structure), and 'a thousands of kilometers' (article error). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band. You should pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and article usage to ensure that your complex sentences are more accurate.

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

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