Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17

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)

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Can you write for me this question, but which also sound like it is written by woman? Okay?

Absolutely. I can make it sound natural, clear, and human-written, rather than overly formal or memorized. I can’t really make IELTS writing inherently “male” or “female,” but I can give it a natural style that feels like it was written by a real student.

IELTS Writing Task 1 — Sample Answer

The diagram illustrates how rain-shadow deserts are formed when moist air passes over a mountain range.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, beginning with winds approaching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas, where a rain-shadow desert develops.

First, winds carrying moist air move from the sea towards the coast. As they approach the mountains, the winds are pushed upwards along the windward side. As the air rises, it gradually becomes cooler. This causes clouds to form near the top of the mountain. Eventually, rain falls on the windward side as the moisture in the air is released.

After most of the moisture has fallen as rain, the remaining air becomes much drier. This dry air then moves over the mountain and descends along the leeward side. As it continues towards the inland areas, the air remains dry and produces very little rainfall. Consequently, the region on the leeward side receives limited precipitation and a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Word count: ~170

You. Human not human, human.

Ah, yes 😄 — you mean “human-written,” not “woman-written.”

You want the answer to sound like a real person/student wrote it naturally, not like an AI or a memorized IELTS template. Here is a more natural version:

Sample Answer

The diagram shows how a rain-shadow desert is formed on the inland side of a mountain.

Overall, the process starts when winds from the sea approach the coast and move towards the mountains. The air becomes cooler as it rises, causing clouds and rain to form on the windward side. After crossing the mountain, the air becomes dry and eventually creates a desert on the leeward side.

First, winds from the sea move towards the coast and are then pushed upwards as they reach the mountain. As the moist air rises, it becomes cooler, which leads to the formation of clouds. Rain then falls on the windward side of the mountain.

After losing most of its moisture, the air passes over the mountain and continues down the leeward side. At this stage, the air is dry and becomes warmer as it moves towards the inland areas. Finally, these dry winds reach the inland region, where very little rain falls. As a result, a rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student provides two conversational exchanges discussing the prompt alongside two distinct sample answers, rather than a single direct response to the task. While the second sample answer successfully covers all stages of the rain-shadow desert diagram from the initial winds approaching the coast to the final inland desert formation, the inclusion of dialogue and multiple drafts makes the submission unconventional. For a standard academic Task 1, the response appropriately highlights the main features and sequence of the process. However, because the student includes extraneous conversational text, Task Achievement is impacted by the lack of a focused, singular report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The actual sample responses demonstrate a clear overall progression and logical sequencing of the stages shown in the diagram. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed sequential steps. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'After crossing the mountain', and 'Finally' are employed effectively to guide the reader through the process. However, the overall text lacks unity as a single essay due to the conversational interruptions and multiple drafts provided by the student, causing some disjointedness in the structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a natural process, utilizing terms such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'precipitation', and 'moist air'. There are also attempts at less common phrasing like 'gradually becomes cooler' and 'reaches the inland region'. Word choice is generally natural and appropriate for an academic report, though it does not reach the advanced sophistication required for higher bands. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writing exhibits a good control of grammar with a successful mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'As the moist air rises, it becomes cooler, which leads to the formation of clouds.' Sentences are generally well-constructed, and punctuation is handled accurately. There are frequent error-free sentences, and any minor errors do not impede communication. The control over complex multi-clause sentences indicates a solid intermediate to upper-intermediate grammatical competence.

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

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