Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-10

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 illustration depicts the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the whole desert creation process revolves around a mountain that separates the sea and the inland area by thousands of kilometres. This natural phenomenon starts with the winds approaching the coastal area and passing through several stages and eventually changing to dry winds.

Firstly, the winds blow towards the coastal area of the sea flowing towards the peak of the mountain while turning moist due to low temperature. The next process includes the moist air condensing and forming into clouds near the windward side. These new clouds eventually travel to the tip of the mountain and on the fifth step the rain starts falling.

The final two steps include the dry airs continuing from the leeward side of the mountain and reaching the inland area consequently. The final step is when the drier wind reaches the inland area creating a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have clearly outlined the progression from the sea to the inland area. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, relying heavily on listing steps rather than synthesizing the information into a cohesive process. To reach a higher band, ensure you highlight the causal relationships more explicitly, such as why the air cools or why the leeward side remains dry. While you covered the key stages, the analysis could be more detailed regarding the specific environmental changes occurring at each phase of the mountain crossing.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction and a progression that follows the steps shown in the diagram. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of the process. You use some cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'The next process', and 'The final two steps' to guide the reader. However, the transition between sentences can feel a bit repetitive. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and use more sophisticated referencing to connect ideas across sentences, which would help the flow feel more natural and less like a list of steps.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'condensing', 'windward side', and 'leeward side' correctly. This shows a good grasp of the subject-specific terminology required for this diagram. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'reach' and 'blow'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe the movement of air and the transformation of the climate, such as 'precipitate', 'arid', or 'atmospheric pressure'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and the meaning is consistently clear. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'the dry airs' (should be 'dry air' as it is uncountable) and 'consequently' used slightly awkwardly at the end of a sentence. While you attempt complex structures, the control is not always perfect. To improve, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a positive sign, but more variety in complex sentence forms would enhance the overall quality.

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

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