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 series of steps of how rain-shadow desert has evolved from the Sea.

Overall, the desert formation runs across the mountains of thousands of kilometers with Windward side and Leeward side. Beginning with the winds being raised up by Sea water to dry air moving down the mountains to reach the Inland area.

Initially towards the Windward side, some strong winds approach the coast of Sea water. Water forces these winds to climb up the mountains while moving upward the air becomes moist and cool. This is followed by the moist air forming a cloud in the sky. Then, the moisture in the cloud begins to fall as rain on the mountain peak.

While in the Leeward side as the rain falls dry air is produced which continues to pass down the mountains. These dry winds reach the inland areas from where the desert begins to form. As the process repeats the desert will form thick and even on the land surface.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, successfully identifying key geographical locations such as the sea, coast, windward side, mountains, leeward side, and inland area. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, capturing the horizontal span and the core transition from moist to dry air. However, some aspects of the process description are slightly inaccurate or confusingly phrased, such as stating that 'winds are raised up by Sea water' or that the desert 'will form thick and even'. These minor misinterpretations of the diagram limit the precision of the response, keeping it at a Band 6.5 level where the key features are selected and reported, but with some under-developed or imprecise explanations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological and spatial sequence of the diagram from left to right. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Initially', 'This is followed by', and 'While in the Leeward side' are used to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is logical, separating the introduction/overview from the detailed steps. However, referencing and cohesion occasionally feel slightly mechanical or abrupt, such as the transition at the beginning of the final paragraph ('While in the Leeward side as the rain falls dry air is produced...'). Overall arrangement is coherent, earning a solid Band 6.5 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to the diagram, including appropriate terms like 'moist air', 'cloud', 'precipitation', 'dry winds', and 'inland areas'. However, there are notable instances of awkward word choice and collocation, such as 'winds are raised up by Sea water' and 'desert will form thick and even'. Some expressions are imprecise or slightly unnatural for describing geographical processes. While the vocabulary is adequate to communicate the main points, these lexical inaccuracies prevent the response from reaching a higher band, placing it comfortably at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'as rain falls dry air is produced which continues to pass down the mountains'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation issues throughout the text, such as missing commas after introductory phrases ('Overall', 'Initially'), awkward preposition usage ('moving upward the air becomes moist'), and tense inconsistencies regarding hypothetical future outcomes ('the desert will form thick and even'). Although these errors do not impede overall communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the grammar score from exceeding Band 6.0.

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

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