Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12

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 represents the step-by-step formation of a rain-shadow desert, which is a kind of desert.

Overall, it is a 7-step natural process that starts when wind approaches the coast, and then travels across the mountain covering thousands of kilometers. Finally, making its way to inland areas forming a rain-shadow desert.

The making of rain-shadow deserts begins from seas, after the wind reaches the coast at the step 1. At stage 2 wind goes upward towards the windward side, thereafter reflecting with the mountain, where moist air rises and cools down in the later step forming clouds at the snowcapped peak of the mountain. Following rain fall at step 5, dry air countinues over mountain.

Subsequently, towards the leeward side, the dry air go in the direction of land, at the end of the 6th stage the dry wind reaches the inland areas resulting in a rain-shadow desert, meanwhile covering the distance of thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the overall topic and outlines the main stages involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert. The writer provides an overview in the second paragraph mentioning the '7-step natural process' and tracks the progression from the coast across the mountain to inland areas. However, some of the specific details and cause-and-effect relationships from the diagram are described rather simplistically or slightly out of precise order, such as mentioning 'reflecting with the mountain' and grouping cloud formation and precipitation in a somewhat compressed way. While all major parts of the process are touched upon, the lack of full development and occasional slight inaccuracies in interpreting the diagram place this at a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay has a basic overall logical arrangement, beginning with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the steps. Cohesive devices and sequence markers are used throughout, such as 'starts when', 'Finally', 'begins from', 'thereafter', 'Following', 'Subsequently', and 'meanwhile'. However, some of these transitions feel mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Finally, making its way to inland areas forming a rain-shadow desert' (which forms a sentence fragment). Paragraphing is attempted, though the division between steps is sometimes abrupt. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences can be disjointed, earning it a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a natural process, including terms like 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'moist air', 'snowcapped peak', and 'inland areas'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, but these are accompanied by word choice errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'reflecting with the mountain' instead of 'rising up the slope' or 'encountering the mountain', and 'dry air countinues'. Spelling contains a clear slip ('countinues'). Nevertheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main features of the diagram, justifying a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'starting when wind approaches the coast', 'forming clouds at the snowcapped peak'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips, notably sentence fragments or run-on tendencies, such as 'Finally, making its way to inland areas forming a rain-shadow desert' and 'the dry air go in the direction of land'. Subject-verb agreement and preposition choices also show occasional inaccuracy (e.g., 'air go'). These errors do not impede overall communication, placing the grammatical control securely at a Band 5.5.

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

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