Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01

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 illustrate the procedure through which rain-shadow deserts are formed.

Overall, it is crystal that the process has seven stages. It begins when wet air rises from sea level and ends when dry air creates a desert far from coast.

It is apparent form the process that firstly, winds approach from sea level to the mountain and pushed upwards. Secondly, as the air rises, it becomes cool and forms clouds on the windward side. Further, these clouds then produce heavy rainfall on the peak of the mountain and starts to slope downward on the other side of mountain.

Moving further, in sixth stage, once the air lost its moisture through rainfall, , it continues over mountain to the leeward side on its right side. This dry air travels over inland areas and when no moisture is left, a rain-shadow dessert is formed thousands of kilometres from the coastal area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have provided a clear overview and followed the sequence of events from the rise of wet air to the creation of the desert. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, listing stages rather than synthesizing the information into a more fluid report. While you mention the 'seven stages', the diagram does not explicitly label them as such, which makes this reference slightly inaccurate. To improve, focus on integrating the stages more naturally and ensuring that the comparison between the windward and leeward sides is more explicitly highlighted to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. You use cohesive devices such as 'firstly', 'secondly', 'moving further', and 'in sixth stage' to guide the reader through the process. However, some of these transitions feel a bit repetitive or forced. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and referencing techniques to avoid the 'list-like' feel of the description. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'moisture', 'leeward', 'windward', and 'coastal area'. There are some minor errors in word choice, such as 'crystal' (should be 'clear') and 'dessert' (spelled as the sweet dish rather than 'desert'). While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary, the range is somewhat limited. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise verbs and descriptive adjectives to explain the movement of air and the transformation of the landscape, while ensuring accurate spelling of key terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement ('The diagram illustrate') and missing articles ('on the other side of mountain'). Additionally, there are punctuation errors, such as the double comma usage in the third paragraph. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage, and try to vary your sentence structure further by using more complex subordinate clauses.

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

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