Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-29

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 given diagram illustrates a type of desert, addressed as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Overall, a rain-shadow desert formation occurs in 7 different stages starting from the sea. The formation happens around thousands of kilometers. The stages revolve around the mountain which has two sides where the steps are divided.

To begin with the windward side of the mountain there are five stages which starts from the sea. The primary stage starts from the sea where the winds approach the coast. The winds are pushed upwards the mountain. In the third step the moist air rises and cools down. Due to the chilled air clouds starts to form. On further formation of clouds precipitation of rain occurs.

Furthermore, in the Leeward side of the mountain dry air continues over the mountain. Finally, dry winds reaches inland areas over thousands of kilometers. This results in the formation of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the windward and leeward sides and the process of cloud formation and precipitation. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For example, the mention of '7 different stages' is not clearly linked to specific labels or distinct visual markers in the diagram, making the summary feel slightly disconnected from the source material. While the main features are reported, the comparison between the two sides of the mountain could be more analytical. The response meets the minimum length requirement, but the development of the process is basic and lacks the depth required for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction to the windward side and finally the leeward side. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'The formation happens around thousands of kilometers', which is vague. Paragraphing is present, but the transition between the general overview and the specific steps could be smoother to improve the overall progression of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'windward', 'leeward', 'precipitation', and 'moist air'. However, there are some awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'addressed as a rain-shadow desert' (should be 'known as') and 'pushed upwards the mountain' (should be 'up the mountain'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and sophistication needed for a higher band. There are no significant spelling errors, but the lexical control is limited to fairly common, functional language.

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 instance, 'The given diagram illustrates a type of desert, addressed as a rain-shadow desert, is formed' is grammatically incorrect; it should be 'illustrates how a type of desert... is formed'. Other errors include 'starts from the sea' (subject-verb agreement with 'stages') and 'dry winds reaches' (should be 'reach'). These errors occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score, though the meaning remains clear throughout.

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

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