Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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 stages involved in the natural process of the formulation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, starting with the winds approaching the coast from the sea and terminating to the dry winds reaching to the inland areas and form the rain shadow desert.

In the first stage, winds approach the coast from the sea and then winds pushed to the upward direction. As a result of this, moist air rises and cools to form the clouds. Following this, the clouds undergo a transformation and grow in to the rainfall over a period of time.

In the subsequent stage, the leeward side is formed as rain falls from the clouds onto the mountains. Dry air continues over mountain. Once this phase is completed then winds reach the inland areas and inside inland it forms a rain shadow desert. In addition, the total distance from the coast to the rain shadow is astimated as thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have identified the key steps, such as the wind approaching the coast, the rising of moist air, cloud formation, rainfall, and the eventual creation of the desert on the leeward side. However, the description is somewhat basic and lacks a more sophisticated synthesis of the information. While you mention the distance, the explanation of the 'leeward' side and the transition from moist to dry air could be more clearly linked to the visual data provided. To improve, ensure you highlight the contrast between the windward and leeward sides more explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, a body paragraph, and a concluding section. You use some cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'Following this', and 'In the subsequent stage' to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive. The paragraphing is sufficient, but the connection between the final sentence about distance and the rest of the process is slightly abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would help elevate the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You use a range of vocabulary appropriate for describing a process, such as 'illustrates', 'transformation', 'approaching', and 'inland areas'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'formulation' (instead of 'formation'), 'astimated' (spelling error for 'estimated'), and 'grow in to' (should be 'grow into'). While the vocabulary is adequate to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. Focusing on accurate collocations and avoiding minor spelling errors will improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'winds pushed to the upward direction' (should be 'winds are pushed upward'), 'grow in to the rainfall' (should be 'grow into rain'), and 'inside inland it forms' (which is redundant). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they are frequent enough to impact the overall accuracy of the writing. Increasing your control over sentence construction is recommended.

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.