Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-28

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 to formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, starting with the winds approach the coast from the sea. Terminating in the dry winds reach inland areas which form the rain-shadow desert.

In the first stage of the process, winds approach the coast from the sea. Then they move in an upward direction. As a result of this, moist air rises and cools the vapor. Following this, cools the vapor and forms a clouds. Clouds undergo a transformations and grow precipitation onto the mountain over a period of time.

In the subsequent stage of the process, the leeward side form as dry air continues onto the mountain. Finally, dry winds reach the inland areas and they forms a rain-shadow desert. Additionally, the distance between from coast to inland 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 movement of moist air, precipitation, and the resulting dry conditions. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a cohesive overview of the relationship between the stages. While the main features are reported, the explanation of the process is slightly simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should focus on synthesizing the information more fluidly rather than listing the stages sequentially. The inclusion of the distance measurement is a good detail, but the overall development of the process could be more analytical.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. You use basic cohesive devices like 'In the first stage', 'Following this', and 'Finally' to link ideas. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes repetitive, and the use of cohesive devices feels a bit mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the transition between the description of the mountain and the inland area could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences connect more naturally would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use relevant terms such as 'moist air', 'precipitation', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'to formation of' instead of 'to the formation of' and 'grow precipitation' which is not a standard collocation. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple, repetitive structures. To improve, try to incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive terminology related to geographical processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For example, 'winds approach the coast' should be 'winds approaching the coast', and 'forms a clouds' is grammatically incorrect. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'they forms a rain-shadow desert'. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and article usage prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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