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 moving an upward direction. As a result of this, moist air rises and cools to form clouds. Following this, the clouds undergo a transformation and grow into the prespitate 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. Ultimately this lack of rainfall forms the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the process, from the initial wind movement to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. You have successfully identified the key features, such as the rising moist air, cloud formation, and the leeward side effect. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the relationship between the mountain barrier and the resulting climate. While you mention the distance, more focus on the contrast between the windward and leeward sides would have strengthened the summary. The response is accurate but could be more concise and precise in its technical description of the meteorological process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'Following this', and 'In the subsequent stage' to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the sentence 'Once this phase is completed then winds reach the inland areas' is a bit clunky. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the stages, which helps the overall readability of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'formulation', 'transformation', and 'leeward'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'prespitate' (precipitate) and 'inside inland', which is redundant. The use of 'formulation' is slightly unnatural in this context; 'formation' or 'process' would be more appropriate. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise scientific terminology related to geography and weather patterns, and ensure that word forms are used correctly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'winds are moving an upward direction' (should be 'moving in an upward direction') and 'the clouds undergo a transformation and grow into the prespitate' (should be 'precipitate' or 'precipitation'). There are also minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. The majority of your sentences are understandable, but the frequency of these small errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher level of grammatical control.

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