Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14

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 depicts the formation of rain-shadow desert. At a glance, coast and inlands are thousands of kilometers away from each other separated by mountains. There are in total 7 steps in formation of a rain-shadow desert.

To begin with, winds from the sea approach the coast which is on the windward side of the mountain. The winds are then pushed upwards. As the winds gradually rise, it become moist, and eventually cool down. The next step is formation of clouds followed by rainfall near the peaks of the mountains. After rainfall, the moist air has turned to dry air. This dry air continues its motion over the mountains, and then descents onto the leeward side of mountains. After continuing its downwards approach, the dry air reach the inland areas which are at the foot of the mountains. Finally, such dry winds form a unique kind of desert known as rain-shadow desert.

Overall, sea-winds after passing through coasts and mountains, form a rain-shadow desert. This desert is situated very far from the sea-coast.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the diagram, covering the process from the sea-winds to the formation of the desert. You have clearly outlined the sequence of events, including the ascent, cooling, precipitation, and the subsequent descent of dry air. To reach a higher band, ensure you avoid minor inaccuracies; for instance, stating the winds 'become moist' as they rise is scientifically counter-intuitive in this context, as they are already moist from the sea. Additionally, while you mention 7 steps, the description is somewhat narrative rather than analytical. Focusing more on the contrast between the windward and leeward sides would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a brief summary. The use of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'The next step', and 'Finally' helps guide the reader through the stages of the process. However, the paragraphing is slightly unbalanced, with a very short concluding paragraph. To improve, ensure that the transition between the process description and the concluding summary is smoother, and consider grouping the information into two distinct body paragraphs—one for the atmospheric process and one for the geographical impact—to enhance the overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'precipitation-related' concepts. However, there are some word-choice inaccuracies, such as 'descents' (should be 'descends') and 'reach' (should be 'reaches'). The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, incorporate more precise academic collocations related to geography and meteorology, such as 'prevailing winds', 'orographic lift', or 'arid conditions', which would demonstrate a more flexible and precise control of language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'it become moist' should be 'they become moist' (subject-verb agreement), and 'the dry air reach' should be 'the dry air reaches'. Additionally, 'descents' is used as a verb when it should be the verb 'descends'. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tense usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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