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)

This illustration depicts the creation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, this natural phenomenon occurs around a mountain that separates the sea and the inland area by thousands of kilometres. This whole process is about winds approaching the coastal area and moving towards the summit and eventually turning into drier winds forming the desert.

Firstly, this whole formation begins when the wind from the sea approaches the coastal area and travels towards the mountain. As the wind moves upward the temperature decreases consequently, the air condenses and forms into clouds near the windward side. Moreover, these cloud eventually cause rainfall on the peak of the mountain.

Furthermore, the wind that does not turn into clouds comes toward the leeward side as arid air. This humid air lost all the moisture due to the rainfall and eventually moving downwards opposite of the sea. This dry air in the inland results in creation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, from the initial moisture-laden winds to the final arid conditions on the leeward side. The overview is clear and identifies the key mechanism involved. However, the description of the process is somewhat simplified. For instance, the text mentions the wind travels 'thousands of kilometres' and focuses on the peak, whereas the diagram highlights the specific transition from the windward to the leeward side. While the main features are reported, the response could be improved by providing more precise detail regarding the elevation changes and the contrast between the two sides of the mountain to fully meet the requirements of a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'Furthermore' helps to guide the reader through the stages of the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. For example, the phrase 'this whole formation' and 'this whole process' are used in close proximity. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas follows the sequence of the diagram effectively, ensuring that the information is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'phenomenon', 'condenses', 'windward', 'leeward', and 'arid' used correctly to describe the scientific process. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the meaning clearly. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'opposite of the sea' (which is slightly awkward) and 'creation of a rain-shadow desert' (where 'formation' would be more precise). The range is adequate for the task, but it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would be expected at a higher band level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist. For example, 'these cloud eventually cause' (should be 'these clouds') and 'eventually moving downwards' (which lacks a main verb). Additionally, there are some punctuation issues, such as the missing comma after 'consequently'. While the errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching a higher band. The control of complex structures is present but not consistently accurate.

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

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