Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19

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 shows the seven stage process of how rain-shadow desert is formed ,starting from the sea and ending inland.

Overoll , it is clear that the mountian range is the key factor. It blocks the rain on the window side and creates dry, desert climate on the opposite, leeward site.

In the first stage, winds approach the coast from the sea. Then, these winds are pushed upwards when they meet the mountians on the window side. As the moist air rises , it cools, which causes clouds to form. This leads to rainfall on the windward side of the mountians.

After losing its moisture, the dry air continues to travel over the top of the mountians to the leeward side. Finally, this dry air moves down and reaches inland areas thoushands of kilometers away. Since it has no moisture left, the inland area remains dry and a rain-shadow desert is formed there.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram, from the initial winds approaching the coast up to the creation of the desert inland. An overview is present, highlighting the mountain range as the key factor. However, there are multiple typos and misreadings of the source labels (e.g., writing 'window' and 'site' instead of 'windward' and 'side', and misspelling 'thoushands'). Despite these mechanical errors, the core information and sequence of the process are accurately reported and compared where relevant. The response satisfies the requirements for a Band 6.5, leaning towards Band 7 for covering all parts well, but spelling and typographical slips in key scientific terms pull it slightly back.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and well-sequenced body paragraphs that follow the chronological steps of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'Then', 'After losing its moisture', and 'Finally' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically separates the overview from the detailed progression. Referencing is generally clear, though minor spelling distractions exist. Overall, the organizational structure demonstrates clear logical progression throughout, fitting the Band 7 descriptor well.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a scientific process, using terms such as 'moisture', 'precipitation', 'inland areas', and 'atmospheric conditions' implied through context. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors that detract from precision, such as 'Overoll' instead of 'Overall', 'mountian' instead of 'mountain', 'window' instead of 'windward', and 'site' instead of 'side'. Additionally, 'thoushands' contains a spelling error. While communication is not impeded, these lexical inaccuracies prevent the score from reaching a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses such as 'As the moist air rises, it cools, which causes clouds to form' and 'Since it has no moisture left, the inland area remains dry'. Grammatical accuracy is generally decent, with correct verb tense usage for a present-tense process description. There are minor slips and typos, but they do not impede communication. The variety of complex structures shows good control, though the presence of frequent basic spelling errors spills over slightly into general accuracy impressions, justifying a solid Band 6.5.

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

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