Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-25

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 formation of rain-shadow desert in seven steps and shows the process that occurs in each step.

Overall, the formation consists of seven stages. In the initial steps, it shows how the process starts from the sea and then rain falls. Afterwards, there is a downward movement and dry conditions appear in inland areas.

At first, winds approach the coast from the sea and push upwards. After that, moist air rises and cools. Furthermore, on the windward side, clouds form and rain falls. However, after the rain falls, the process starts to change and the dry air continues over the mountain. On the Leeward side, there is a final step when dry winds reach the inland areas.

In the later stages, the air moves downward and the conditions become dry in inland areas. The whole process covers a huge distance of thousands of kilometres, starting from the coast and ending in inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow effect. You successfully highlight the transition from moist air at the coast to dry conditions inland. However, the description is somewhat repetitive, particularly in the second and third paragraphs, where the movement of air and the resulting dry conditions are restated multiple times without adding new information. To reach a higher band, ensure that each sentence contributes a unique detail from the diagram rather than paraphrasing previous points. The overview is clear, but the development of the process could be more precise by explicitly linking the mountain's height or the specific windward/leeward terminology to the meteorological changes described.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological flow of the process. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'At first', 'After that', 'Furthermore', and 'In the later stages' to guide the reader. While the progression is generally logical, some of the transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a short report. To improve, focus on varying your linking phrases to ensure the flow feels more natural and less like a list of steps.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas' correctly. This shows a good grasp of the subject-specific terminology required for this diagram. However, the vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, with frequent use of basic verbs like 'shows', 'starts', and 'becomes'. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic verbs and descriptive adjectives to characterize the process, such as 'ascends', 'precipitates', or 'arid'. The spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. For example, 'winds approach the coast from the sea and push upwards' is a clear, error-free sentence. You also successfully use complex structures like 'after the rain falls, the process starts to change'. To improve, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'the air is forced upwards') or relative clauses, to add sophistication to your writing and demonstrate greater control over sentence variety.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.