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 following diagram illustrates the formation of one type of desert, which is also known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, there are numerous aspects, which are forming a rain-shadow desert such as winds, moist air, clouds, rains and dry air along with dry winds. Furthermore, the process takes place over thousands of kilometres.

It is clearly seen that there is a sea to the left of the mountain besides the coast which approaches to windward side. On the other hand, there is an inland area located to the right side of the mountain. Moreover, the process of rain-shadow desert initiates from winds approach the coast, afterwards winds are pushed upwards.

As a result of this, moist air rises and cools, and clouds form. Consequently, rain falls and the dry air continues over the mountain. Subsequently, dry winds approach inland areas coming from the leeward side where a rain-shadow desert forms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow process from the sea to the inland area. The overview provides a summary of the components involved, such as moist air and dry winds. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a more sophisticated synthesis of the relationship between the mountain's topography and the resulting climate change. While all parts of the task are addressed, the development could be more analytical by focusing on the causal links between the elevation and the moisture levels more explicitly. The response is accurate in its reporting of the visual information provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that follow the process chronologically. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Consequently' are used to guide the reader through the stages of the process. However, some of the transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the sea, over the mountain, to the inland area. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be improved by varying the sentence structure more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'moist air', and 'rain-shadow desert' used correctly. There is an attempt to use topic-specific terminology, which is good. However, the range is somewhat limited, and some phrasing is slightly simplistic, such as 'there are numerous aspects, which are forming'. The word choice is generally accurate and does not impede communication, but it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band score. Expanding the range of verbs and descriptive adjectives would enhance the quality of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While there are some grammatically correct sentences, there are also minor errors in syntax and article usage, such as 'winds approach the coast' (missing 'as') and 'there is a sea to the left of the mountain besides the coast'. The punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is occasionally clunky. The majority of the sentences are clear, and the errors do not cause confusion for the reader. To reach a higher band, more variety in complex sentence structures and greater precision in grammatical accuracy are needed.

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

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