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)

The diagram illustrates the formation process that occurs in one type desert, popularly known as rain-shadow deserts.

Overall, the formation of rain-shadow deserts involve seven linear steps. The process begins at sea level where winds generally approach the coastal area. However, the process ends with reaching dry air to inland areas, consequently forms rain-shadow desert.

To begin the process, firstly the winds approaches towards coastal sea area followed by pushing them in the upward direction after hitting the coast. Thereafter, air traps the moisture from the atmosphere and becomes moist and cools down. Although these steps occur in the windward side, this moist cool air undergoes condensation, as a result forms the clouds.

After condensation, precipitation occurs where rain starts falling down on the mountains. Simultaneously, dry air continues to flow over mountains in the leeward side. At the end, these dry winds reach the inland areas resulting in the formation of rain-shadow area desert over a distance of thousands of kilometres from the coast to inland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully identifies and summarises the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. The response covers the sequential stages from winds approaching the coast up to the formation of the desert inland over thousands of kilometres. A clear overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the seven steps. The information reported is accurate and well-grounded in the visual data, with correct placement of the windward and leeward sides, condensation, cloud formation, and precipitation. However, the explanation slightly glosses over the precise mechanics at certain points, which keeps it from achieving the highest band. Overall, the task is addressed well and the main features are clearly reported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organised into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin the process', 'thereafter', and 'Simultaneously' are used to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different parts of the process. While the logical progression is generally clear, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in their phrasing (e.g., 'To begin the process, firstly...'), which prevents a higher score. Referencing is mostly clear, ensuring the information flows adequately from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for an Academic Task 1 response, successfully employing subject-specific terms such as 'condensation', 'precipitation', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'moisture'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'one type desert' (missing preposition), 'consequently forms rain-shadow desert' (ungrammatical form), and 'the winds approaches' (subject-verb agreement). Less common lexical items are attempted but occasionally lack precision. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main processes, though errors in word formation and choice prevent a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like 'after' and 'although'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('winds approaches', 'formation... involve'), missing articles ('one type desert', 'forms rain-shadow desert'), and awkward participial phrases ('followed by pushing them in the upward direction'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to restrict the score to a Band 6. A greater proportion of error-free complex sentences would be needed for a higher band.

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