Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-12

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 process of formation of rain shadow desert which is one of the type of desert formed by the dry winds over the time.

Overall, this formation includes contribution of seven major steps starting from coastal wind approachment and ending to dry winds reaching to inland areas to form desert.

In the first step ocean air flew towards the mountain region and then gets pushed upwards in the windward direction, as the moist air rises it condences, resulting in formation of clouds eventually leading to rainfall or sometimes torential rain over the thousands of kilometres of the area covered by mountains. Moist air got blocked by the peaks and dry cool breez continues to flow over the mountains creating a chilly weather towards the leeward side of the hills meanwhile the chinook reaches the inland areas and forms a complete weather for the desertification which finally creates rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the process, from the initial movement of moist air to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. However, the description is somewhat superficial. While you mention the 'windward' and 'leeward' sides, the explanation of the process lacks precision in connecting the specific meteorological changes to the resulting landscape. The summary is accurate in its overview, but it could be improved by more clearly contrasting the conditions on the windward side (precipitation) versus the leeward side (dryness). The response addresses the prompt adequately but lacks the depth of analysis required for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which provides a logical structure. There is a clear introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph detailing the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For instance, the transition between the steps in the final paragraph feels a bit rushed, and the flow could be improved with more varied linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'consequently', 'in contrast'). The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the 'chinook' and the desertification process is slightly abrupt, making the progression of ideas feel less smooth than it could be.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'windward', 'leeward', 'condensation', and 'desertification'. However, there are several spelling errors ('approachment', 'condences', 'torential', 'breez') and some awkward collocations ('ocean air flew', 'forms a complete weather'). These errors occasionally distract the reader, though they do not prevent the overall meaning from being understood. To reach a higher band, you should focus on improving the accuracy of your spelling and using more precise collocations to describe scientific processes, rather than relying on general descriptive terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, such as 'as the moist air rises it condences, resulting in formation of clouds', there are frequent grammatical inaccuracies. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('ocean air flew', 'air got blocked'), missing articles ('the' formation of rain shadow desert), and tense inconsistencies. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly regarding comma usage in complex sentences. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors limits the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage would significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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