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 process diagram below illustrates how a type of desert called as the formation of rain-shadow desert is structured.

Overall, it is inferred that the process took 7 stages which was begin from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reach inland areas which formed rain-shadow desert. The formation mainly occurs as moist air is forced over the mountain range, causing rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions on the leeward side.

At first glance, winds approach the coast from the sea and pushed upwards as they encounter the mountains. As the moist air rises along the windward side, it cools, leading the formation of clouds. Subsequently, removing much of the moisture from the air.

Moving towards further details, after crossing the mountain peak, the now dry air continued downward over the leeward side. As it descended, it becomes increasingly dry and eventually develops into dry winds. Finally, these winds reach the inland areas, where the lack of rainfall creates the conditions necessary for the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the process, covering the transition from moist air at the coast to the formation of a rain-shadow desert. The overview is clear and captures the essence of the process. However, the description of the stages is slightly repetitive, and the claim that the process 'took 7 stages' is not explicitly supported by the diagram, which is a minor over-generalization. The response covers all parts of the task well, providing a logical summary of the meteorological progression shown in the visual. To improve, ensure that the summary focuses strictly on the information presented without adding external interpretations or arbitrary numbering.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'At first glance', 'Subsequently', and 'Moving towards further details' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more balanced. The referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the final stage and the overall process could be tightened to improve the flow. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'meteorological' context. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'called as the formation of' and 'which was begin from', which slightly hinder the natural flow. The range is sufficient to convey the process clearly, but it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would elevate the score to a higher band. Focusing on more precise verb-noun collocations would enhance the quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'which was begin from' (tense/passive voice error), 'leading the formation' (missing preposition 'to'), and 'it becomes increasingly dry' (tense inconsistency with 'descended'). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the student should focus on maintaining consistent verb tenses throughout the description of a process and ensuring correct preposition usage after verbs.

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

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