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 illustrates that how a rain-shadow desert is formed by a logical series of several steps over thousands of kilometers.

Overall, the process consists of the sequential stages, beginning with the first stage when winds approach coast and culiminating in last stage during which dry winds reach inland areas for the formation of a rain-shadow desert. Although procedure constitutes several steps, each step is essential for the successful completeion of the desert.

Furthermore, in the begining, the given process is started with the first stage during which winds from the outside areas approach the coast of sea. Subsequently, in the second step, winds are pushed upwards against the mountains and then are transformed in to the moist air. Following this, this moist air rises and cool down in the third step. Thereafter, clouds are formed from this cool air, then these clouds cause rain falls in the fifth stage. In the sixth stage, dry air continues over mountain against the leeward side of mountains. In concluding stage, dry winds reach inland areas and finally a Rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and relies heavily on listing steps (e.g., 'first stage', 'second step', 'third step') rather than synthesising the information into a cohesive scientific explanation. While the key features are identified, the explanation of the physical phenomena—such as the cooling of moist air and the resulting precipitation—is slightly simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should aim to group related stages together more effectively and provide a more sophisticated summary of the causal relationships between the air movement, temperature changes, and the resulting landscape.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. While the logical progression is generally clear, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'in the first stage', 'in the second step', and 'in the third step' create a list-like structure that lacks flow. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally clunky, such as 'this moist air rises and cool down'. Improving the variety of linking words and using more sophisticated transition phrases would help the ideas connect more naturally and improve the overall readability of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and minor errors, such as 'culiminating in last stage' (should be 'the last stage') and 'rain falls' (should be 'rainfall'). The word choice is functional but basic; for instance, using 'approach' and 'pushed' repeatedly limits the range. To improve, try to incorporate more precise scientific terminology related to meteorology and geography, such as 'prevailing winds', 'orographic lift', or 'leeward side', which would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally hinder the flow. Examples include 'illustrates that how a rain-shadow desert is formed' (the 'that' is redundant), 'transformed in to' (should be 'into'), and 'cool down' (should be 'cools down' to match the subject). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent. To achieve a higher score, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions, and aim for more varied sentence structures to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility.

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

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