Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30

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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed as wind approaches from the sea over a mountain range.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages, beginning with winds approaching coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas, where a rain shadow desert is formed.

Firstly, winds from the sea approach the coast and are pushed upwards as they reach the mountains. As the air rises along with windward side, it becomes cooler and moist. Additionally, clouds are formed and rain starts failing.

Subsequently, rain falls on the leeward side and dry and warm air starts continuing over the mountains. Finally, these dry winds reach the inland areas, resulting in the formation of Rain-shadow desert.

To sum up, the process begins with approaching wind through coast and pushing wind upwards through mountains and warm air continues over mountain and by forming clouds with dry winds reaching inland areas and forming rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow effect. You successfully highlight the transition from moist air on the windward side to dry air on the leeward side. However, the summary is slightly repetitive, particularly in the final paragraph, which restates information already provided. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview provides a more concise synthesis of the process rather than a mechanical list of steps. The description of the process is accurate, but could be more analytical by explicitly contrasting the conditions on the windward versus the leeward side of the mountain range more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the stages. However, the final paragraph is somewhat clunky and repetitive, which affects the flow. The referencing is generally clear, though the transition between the description of the windward side and the leeward side could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the concluding summary feels like a redundant list rather than a cohesive synthesis of the main trends observed in the diagram.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas' correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'rain starts failing' (likely a typo for 'falling') and 'approaching wind through coast', which is slightly unnatural. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. To improve, focus on more precise collocations and ensure that technical terms are used in grammatically correct phrases to avoid minor errors that slightly distract the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally understandable, there are several errors that persist. For example, 'along with windward side' should be 'along the windward side', and 'approaching wind through coast' is awkward phrasing. There are also issues with article usage and preposition choice. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on sentence variety and ensuring subject-verb agreement and correct prepositional usage will help improve the overall accuracy of your writing.

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

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