Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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 shows an illustration of the steps involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert. It depicts how four natural components play a major role together – sea, coast and mountains and inland.

On the left side of the mountain, which is known as the windward side, in the first stage the winds approach the coast from the sea, and then they are pushed upwards in the second stage, which results in most air rising and cooling by itself in the third stage. As a result, the clouds are formed in the fourth stage, which further leads to rainfall in the fifth stage at the mountain peak.

After heavy rainfall, on the leeward side , dry air continues over the mountains and gradually flows down to reach inland areas in the final stage. As the image depicts, the coast and inland area are thousands of kilometres away from each other, which plays a crucial role in forming the rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the diagram well, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow effect. You have successfully described the movement of air from the sea, over the mountain, and the resulting climatic conditions on both sides. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, relying heavily on listing the stages (e.g., 'first stage', 'second stage'). To reach a higher band, you should aim to synthesize the information more fluidly rather than simply following the numbered steps in the diagram. The mention of the distance between the coast and inland areas is a good observation, but it could be integrated more naturally into the explanation of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction and a progression that follows the physical process depicted. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial wind movement from the resulting rain-shadow effect. Cohesive devices such as 'As a result', 'After heavy rainfall', and 'As the image depicts' are used effectively to link ideas. However, the reliance on 'stage' terminology makes the flow feel slightly repetitive. Improving the variety of transition words and ensuring that referencing is more sophisticated would enhance the overall cohesion of the response.

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 'natural components'. The language is generally precise and appropriate for an academic task. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or descriptive verbs to avoid repetitive phrasing. For example, instead of 'results in', you could use 'precipitates' or 'triggers'. Overall, the lexical range is adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is generally correct. There are no major errors that impede communication. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to vary your sentence structure further, perhaps by using more passive constructions or relative clauses to describe the process. For instance, 'The winds, which originate from the sea, are forced upwards...' would demonstrate better control over complex grammatical forms.

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

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