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 illustrates the process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed as moist air travels from the sea across a mountain range.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, beggining with moist wind appoaching the coast and rising over the windward side of the mountains. After releasing most of thier moisture as rainfall, the air passes over the mountain as dry wind, eventually creating arid conditions in inland areas.

First, winds appoarch the coast from the sea. as they encounter mountains, they are forced upwards along with windward side, as the moist air rises it become cold and form clouds. Eventually, the moist air cause the rainfall.

After crossing the mountain peak, the air contain less moisture as continuously flow downwards as dry air. It move towards leedward side, as the dry air reach inland areas. Finally, due to the lack of rainfall results in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully covers the key features of the diagram depicting the formation of a rain-shadow desert. The overview clearly highlights the main stages, from moist air approaching the coast to the creation of arid inland conditions. Key processes such as the rising of moist air, cloud formation, precipitation on the windward side, and the subsequent descent of dry air over the leeward side are identified and sequenced. Although some minor details are slightly compressed, all parts of the visual prompt are adequately addressed, earning a solid Band 6.5 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The text is arranged with an overall logical progression, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview paragraph, and then breaking down the sequential stages of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'After crossing', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the explanation, though some linking and referencing feel a bit mechanical. Paragraphing is appropriately utilised to separate the overview from the body details, ensuring the response remains coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a natural process, incorporating terms such as 'moist air', 'mountain range', 'windward side', 'arid conditions', and 'precipitation'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, including 'beggining', 'appoaching', 'thier', 'contain' instead of 'contains', 'move' instead of 'moves', and 'leedward'. These inaccuracies detract from the lexical score, preventing the response from reaching higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory dependent clauses ('As they encounter mountains...'). However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several errors involving subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'the air contain less moisture as continuously flow downwards' and 'the dry air reach inland areas', along with punctuation issues like comma splices. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to cap the grammar score at Band 5.5.

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

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