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 below illustrates how rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall it is evident that the process contains 7 steps in total, beginning with winds approach coast and ending with teh formation of dry desert on opposite side.

The process begins when winds from the sea approaches the coast. In the next step winds are being pushed upwards due to which moist air rises up the windward side and air becomes cooler as it is going upwards. The following this stage, the water vapors condenses and clouds are formed which causes rain to fall on this side of mountain. Furthermore, in next step the dry air move down the other side of mountain leeward and becomes warmer and amount of moist in air decreases. Eventually dry air reaches area beyond the mountain range and because this region received very little rainfall. As a result it becomes extremely dry and causes rain-shadow desert to formed

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the process, from the initial moisture-laden winds to the final formation of the desert. The overview is clear, identifying the total number of steps and the beginning and end points. However, the description of the process is somewhat mechanical and lacks a more sophisticated synthesis of the information. While all key features are mentioned, the explanation of the 'rain-shadow' effect could be more precise in terms of the causal relationship between the cooling air and the precipitation. The response is accurate in its reporting of the diagram's content, but it would benefit from a more analytical approach to the data presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the process. Paragraphing is present, though the essay is quite short, making the structure feel a bit compressed. Cohesive devices such as 'In the next step', 'Following this stage', and 'As a result' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. However, some transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be improved by varying the linking phrases to create a more natural progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using subject-specific terms like 'moist air', 'water vapors', 'condenses', and 'leeward'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'winds approach coast' (missing article) and 'amount of moist in air' (should be 'moisture'). The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the more sophisticated or precise vocabulary that would elevate the response to a higher band. Spelling is generally accurate, with the exception of 'teh'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('winds from the sea', 'on other side of mountain') and verb forms ('winds are being pushed', 'desert to formed'). Subject-verb agreement is occasionally inconsistent. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The use of complex structures is attempted, but the control over these structures is not yet consistent enough to reach the 7.0 band.

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

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