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 illustrates the information of a process by which a rain-shadow desert is produced. It depicts that how winds from coastal area travel towards inland through a range of mountains and results in the formation of deserts.

Overall, the processs invloves seven different stages. Initially , winds reaching the sea are pushed upward  where condensation occur to rainfall. Meanwhile, following through the dryness of winds, they approached the leeward side and ultimately end in the formation of rain-shadow desert.

The picture process regarding first step is the moist winds are approaching from the sea and travel upward where they rise to top of the mountains range. At this top point  mountain clouds formation travel towards the windward side, which results in the rain fall. What comes more, after the rain falls the dry air starts tarvelling towards the leeward side where dry wind approach the inland locations. As a consequence . by taking all steps into account the air-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, identifying the movement of moist air, condensation, and the resulting dry air on the leeward side. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision in describing the specific features of the diagram. While the main features are selected, the explanation of the process is slightly unclear in places, such as the phrase 'condensation occur to rainfall'. To improve, ensure that each stage is described with greater clarity and that the relationship between the windward and leeward sides is explicitly linked to the diagram's visual information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into three paragraphs, which is a logical structure for a process description. There is a clear introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'What comes more' and 'by taking all steps into account'. Additionally, the transition between the overview and the body paragraph is abrupt. While the progression of ideas is generally logical, the referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the stages of the process more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'the information of a process' instead of 'the process' and 'picture process' which is not standard English. Spelling errors like 'processs', 'invloves', and 'tarvelling' are present, though they do not significantly impede communication. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise scientific terminology related to geography and weather patterns, and ensure that your word choices are more natural and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('condensation occur', 'winds... is formed'), incorrect preposition usage, and awkward sentence construction ('It depicts that how winds...'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas and periods. While the meaning remains generally clear, the frequency of these errors indicates a lack of control over complex structures. Focusing on basic sentence accuracy and proofreading for common grammatical slips would significantly improve the quality of your writing.

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