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 process by which mountains create a rain shadow desert showing how moist air from the sea travels over a mountain range and become dry before reaching inland areas.

In an overall prespective , it is clearly seen that the process consists of seven main stages , beginning with winds approching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas.however, the windward side of the mountain recieves considerable rainfall , whereas the leeward side remains dry and develops.

To begin with, winds caraying moist air approach the coast from the sea.As the moist air rises it becomes cooler.moreover,clouds from and rainfall occurs on this side of the mountain.

moving forwards,after passing over the mountain peak , the air begins to decends on the leeward side . during the decent , the air become warmer and continues to lose its moisture . finally , the now dry winds move towards inland areas where a rain shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the process of rain-shadow desert formation and highlighting key features and comparisons. The response provides a clear overview in the second sentence, noting the progression from seven main stages and contrasting the wet windward side with the dry leeward side. The stages from the diagram—such as winds approaching the coast, moist air rising and cooling, cloud formation, precipitation, and dry winds reaching inland areas—are accurately reported in a logical sequence. The information is relevant and well-supported by the visual data, satisfying the requirements for a Band 7 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical organization. Information is grouped into appropriate paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by the specific stages of the process. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the stages, such as 'In an overall perspective', 'To begin with', 'moving forwards', and 'finally'. However, there are minor cohesion and referencing issues, such as the awkward transition 'and develops' at the end of the second paragraph and some punctuation and capitalization lapses that make the mechanical flow slightly clunky in places. Overall, the organization is clear and easy to follow, aligning well with Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task describing a natural process, including terms like 'moist air', 'precipitation', 'leeward side', 'windward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style, such as 'considerable rainfall' and 'continually lose its moisture'. However, there are a few spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'prespective' instead of 'perspective', 'approching' instead of 'approaching', 'caraying' instead of 'carrying', and 'decends' instead of 'descends'. These errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in the Band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'showing how moist air from the sea travels over a mountain range and become dry before reaching inland areas'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation issues, including lowercase letters at the beginning of sentences ('the diagram illustrates', 'In an overall prespective'), agreement errors ('clouds from' instead of 'clouds form', 'air become' instead of 'air becomes'), and tense inconsistencies ('recieves' instead of 'receives', 'decends' instead of 'descends'). While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede overall comprehension, reflecting a Band 6 performance.

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

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