Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

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 foramtion of rain shadow in desert areas.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages. It begins with winds approaching coast area through sea and ends with dry winds reached inland areas that called rain-shadow desert. This process include five elements of earth such as water, heat, air, mountains and land area.

Firstly, the process begins with when winds approached coast area from sea and then winds pushed upwards parallel to the windward side of the mountain and goes towards the top of the mountain. Afterwards, the moist air raised and cooled down in atmosphere and start forming the clouds in the fourth step. Following this, the rain started falling on the peak of the mountain.

In the next step, the dry air continues over mountain downwards parallel to leeward side of mountain because of previous steps rain falls. Finally, the dry winds reached inland areas and start creating rain-shadow in desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process depicted in the diagram, covering the sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. An overview is provided, noting the seven stages and key geographical elements. However, there are minor omissions and slight inaccuracies in detailing the process, such as stating that rain falls on the peak rather than the windward slope, and minor misreadings of the sequence. Despite these minor flaws, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is arranged coherently with a clear introduction containing an overall statement, followed by logically sequenced body paragraphs that describe the progression of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Afterwards', 'Following this', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction from the body steps. Although some referencing and transitions feel slightly mechanical (e.g., repeating 'in the next step'), the overall organization demonstrates a clear logical progression, justifying a Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'atmosphere', and 'rain-shadow desert'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as 'foramtion' instead of 'formation', 'reached' instead of 'reaching', 'raised' instead of 'rising', and 'include' instead of 'includes'. These lexical errors and awkward collocations (e.g., 'five elements of earth') prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time conjunctions (e.g., 'It begins with winds approaching coast area through sea and ends with dry winds reached inland areas that called rain-shadow desert'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, including missing articles ('approaching coast area' instead of 'approaching the coast'), tense inconsistencies ('begins with when winds approached'), and passive voice errors ('that called' instead of 'that are called'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede overall communication, supporting a Band 6.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.