Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-13

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 picture depicts the process of formation of the rain-shadow desert when moist air passes the mountain range.

Overall, it is a natural process and it consists of several stages. It begins with the approach of winds to the cost and ends when the dry winds reach the inland areas, where rain shadow desert develops.

Initially, the moist winds from the sea approach the coastal areas and pushed upward as they encounter the mountains. As the air rises in the windward side it becomes cooler and form clouds. Once this stage is completed, rain falls from the clouds formed. This will loss in much of the air moisture.

After that, The dried air continues to flew over the mountain in the leeward side. As it continues to move downwards it becomes warmers and continues to lose its moisture. Then, the dry wind reach the inland areas by travelling thousands of kilometres. This is how it leads in to formation of rain-shadow deserts.

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 provided a clear overview and followed the sequence of events from the moist air approaching the mountains to the development of the desert on the leeward side. The key stages—moist air rising, cooling, precipitation, and the subsequent descent of dry air—are all covered. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the contrast between the 'windward' and 'leeward' sides more clearly as a comparative feature, as the prompt asks for comparisons where relevant. Overall, the information is accurate and well-summarized.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. You use cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once this stage is completed', 'After that', and 'Then' to guide the reader through the stages. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and there is a clear progression of ideas. To improve, try to vary the cohesive devices further and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'This stage') is always precise to maintain a smoother flow between sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'mountain range', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'precipitation' (implied). There are some minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'pushed upward' (should be 'is pushed upward') and 'loss in much of the air moisture' (should be 'results in a loss of moisture'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process clearly, it lacks the more sophisticated, precise terminology that would characterize a higher band score. Focus on using more precise collocations to describe meteorological processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'The picture depicts the process of formation of the rain-shadow desert when moist air passes the mountain range' is slightly clunky. Other errors include 'continues to flew' (should be 'flow'), 'becomes warmers' (should be 'warmer'), and 'leads in to formation' (should be 'leads to the formation'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of error-free complex structures will help improve this score.

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

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