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 process diagram demonstrates the step-by-step formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, rain-shadow desert formation is a 7-step, linear process. It begins with the wind approaching the coast and ends when the dry wind reaches inland areas, covering a distance of thousands of Kilometres.

The process begins with the wind approaching the coast from one side of the mountain, which is then pushed upwards to the mountain. Following that, the moist air rises and cools at the windward side of the mountain. Once the air cools down, cloud formation starts just above the windward side. Subsequently, rain falls at the top of the mountain. Afterwards, dry air continues over the mountain at the leeward side.

Once the dry air continues to move down towards the bottom of the mountain, which covers an area of thousands of kilometres. Finally, the wind reaches inland areas and a rain-shadow desert forms at that place.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully summarises the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram. The overview statement captures the linear nature of the process well, noting that it begins with the wind approaching the coast and ends inland. Key stages of the process are reported, such as the wind approaching the coast, the moist air rising and cooling on the windward side, cloud formation, rain falling, and dry air moving over to the leeward side. However, some parts of the process are slightly underdeveloped, and the overall description lacks the deeper comparative or expansive reporting typical of a higher band. Nevertheless, all primary steps of the diagram are addressed accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement and logical progression, moving step-by-step through the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'It begins with', 'Following that', 'Once', 'Subsequently', 'Afterwards', and 'Finally' are used to sequence the stages, although some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Paragraphing is utilised, with an introductory sentence, an overview paragraph, and the body of the process broken down, though the body paragraphs could be structured with clearer division. Referencing is generally clear, helping the reader follow the cyclical/linear transition across the mountain stages.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms such as 'process diagram', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'moist air', 'cloud formation', and 'rain-shadow desert'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, but some word choices and phrasing are slightly awkward, such as 'which covers an area of thousands of kilometres' functioning as an incomplete relative clause fragment. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede overall communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The student attempts complex structures using dependent clauses introduced by 'Once', 'As', and 'where'. However, there are notable grammatical errors and awkward structures, particularly in the final body paragraph where the sentence 'Once the dry air continues to move down towards the bottom of the mountain, which covers an area of thousands of kilometres' lacks a main verb and results in a fragment. Punctuation and control are generally acceptable, but frequent minor grammatical inaccuracies keep the score at this level.

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

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