Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08

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 process by which rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages starting with wind approaches the cost and ending with dry winds reaches the inland areas. The process takes over thousands of kilometres. The main feature is the moist air reaches the mountain top and produces rain, while dry air goes to the opposite sides.

Initially, wind approach the coastal through sea and pushed upwards towards the mountain. Followed by moist rises and cools down over the windward side. As the air cools, clouds are formed, which subsequently form rain in the top of the mountain.

After that, dry air continues to move from the top of the mountain through the leeward side. Following this, the air decants and become dry because moisture on the air has been lost. Finally, dry winds reach the inland areas. As a result, rain-shadow deserts are formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the process described in the diagram. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the wind movement, the cooling of moist air, and the resulting rain-shadow effect. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the process. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that the comparison between the windward and leeward sides is more explicitly linked to the final outcome. The description is accurate, but could be slightly more detailed in explaining the transition between the stages to fully develop the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into clear paragraphs, moving from an introduction to the process stages. You use cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Followed by', 'After that', and 'Finally' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as 'moist rises' (which should be 'moist air rises'). The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the flow could be improved by varying the linking words and ensuring that each sentence connects more naturally to the previous one.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. However, there are several word-choice errors that hinder precision, such as 'wind approaches the cost' (should be 'coast'), 'moist rises' (should be 'moist air'), and 'air decants' (should be 'descends'). These errors are noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding the process. To improve, focus on using more precise scientific terminology and ensuring correct word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'wind approach' (should be 'winds approach'), 'clouds are formed, which subsequently form rain in the top' (should be 'on the top'), and 'moisture on the air' (should be 'in the air'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing your control over basic grammar and proofreading for verb endings would significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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