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 of formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, starting with the winds approaching the coast from the sea. The process with 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, its cools the vapor and forms a clouds. Clouds undergo a transformation and grow precipitation onto the mountain over a period of time.

In the subsequent stage of the process, the leeward side forms as dry air continues onto the mountain. Finally, dry winds reach the inland areas and they form a rain-shadow desert. Additionally, the distance 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. You have identified the key steps, such as the movement of moist air, the cooling process, precipitation, and the final formation of the desert on the leeward side. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, cohesive summary of the relationship between the stages. While you have included the distance mentioned in the diagram, the explanation of the process could be more detailed to fully capture the 'how' of the formation. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the main trends or stages more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'Following this', and 'In the subsequent stage' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, though the sentence 'The process with terminating in the dry winds reach inland areas' contains a grammatical error that disrupts the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the stages of the process, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'precipitation', 'leeward side', and 'transformation'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'grow precipitation' (which is not a standard collocation) and 'cools the vapor' (which is slightly awkward). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. To improve, focus on using more natural collocations related to meteorological processes and geographical features.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that, while not impeding communication, are noticeable. For example, 'The process with terminating in the dry winds reach' is grammatically incorrect, as is 'forms a clouds'. Additionally, 'its cools the vapor' contains an unnecessary pronoun. While you attempt to use complex structures, the control is inconsistent. Increasing the number of error-free sentences and ensuring subject-verb agreement will help improve your score in this criterion.

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

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