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 in the dry winds reaching the inland areas and forming the rain shadow desert.

In the first stage, winds approach the coast from the sea and then winds are 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 into 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 the 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 estimated to be 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, identifying the key elements such as the sea, mountains, and inland areas. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For example, the explanation of the 'leeward side' and the transition from moist to dry air lacks the technical precision expected in an Academic Task 1 response. While the overview is present, the connection between the stages could be more clearly linked to the visual data provided. The mention of 'thousands of kilometers' is a good attempt to include specific detail, but the overall development of the process remains basic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. Cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'Following this', and 'In the subsequent stage' are used to guide the reader through the process. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the mountain's windward and leeward sides could be more fluidly integrated to improve the overall progression of the explanation.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'winds are upward direction' are awkward and demonstrate a limited grasp of scientific collocations. While terms like 'moist air', 'leeward side', and 'transformation' are used correctly, the range is somewhat restricted. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to geographical processes, such as 'prevailing winds', 'precipitation', or 'arid conditions', rather than relying on general descriptive language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'winds are upward direction' (which should be 'winds move in an upward direction') and 'inside inland it forms' (which is redundant and grammatically incorrect). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The control of articles and prepositions is inconsistent throughout the text. More attention to sentence construction and subject-verb agreement is needed.

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

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