Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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 illustrats the how one type of desert ,known as a rain shadow desert .is formed.

overall,the process involves sever main stages,begning with wnds blowng from the sea towards the coast and endng with the formaton of a rain shadow desert on the cooposite side of the mountain.

initially,winds approach the coast and move towards the mountains.as the warm air rises up the mountain,it gradually becomes cooler.this causes clouds to orm near the top of the mountain.subsequently ,rain falls on the windward side of the mountain .as a result ,most of the moisture is lost before the air reaches the oter side.

in the next stage ,dry air moves over the mountain towards the leeward side.as the air descends, it becomes warmer and drier .finally,this dry air reaches the inlannd area ,where very little rainfall occurs.consequently,a dry region known as a rain shadow desert is formed on the leeward side of the mountain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have clearly outlined the progression from wind movement to the final desert formation. The overview is concise and effectively highlights the key stages. To reach a higher band, ensure that you avoid minor inaccuracies in the description, such as the claim that 'most' moisture is lost, which is a reasonable inference but should be framed as a description of the provided visual data. Overall, you have addressed all parts of the task well, providing a clear and logical summary of the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the process. You use cohesive devices such as 'initially', 'subsequently', 'as a result', and 'consequently' to guide the reader through the stages. However, the punctuation is inconsistent; there are several instances where spaces are missing after commas and periods (e.g., 'desert ,is', 'overall,the', 'stages,begning'). Improving your control over punctuation and spacing would make the flow of ideas much smoother and more professional, which is necessary for higher band scores in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'leeward side', 'windward side', 'moisture', and 'descends' appropriately. However, there are several spelling errors throughout the text, such as 'illustrats', 'sever', 'begning', 'wnds', 'blowng', 'formaton', 'cooposite', 'orm', 'oter', 'inlannd'. These errors are frequent and occasionally distract from the content. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, the high frequency of spelling mistakes limits the score. To improve, focus on proofreading your work to ensure that basic vocabulary is spelled correctly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'As the warm air rises up the mountain, it gradually becomes cooler.' While the grammatical structures are generally functional, the text is marred by persistent punctuation errors, specifically the lack of spaces after punctuation marks. Additionally, there are minor slips in article usage and word formation. While these errors do not impede the overall understanding of the process, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on basic sentence mechanics and proofreading for spacing will significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

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

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