Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-20

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 figure below illustrates the formation of particular sort of desert called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, a rain shadow desert is formed after the winds approaching the coast, undergo a number of steps, before eventually reaching the inland areas thus forming the said desert.

The formation of rain-shadow desert is a seven step process. In the first step the winds reach the coastal areas around the mountain. These winds are then pushed upwards in the second step. The third step involves moist air rising from the windward side of the mountain and resulting in a cooling effect. In the next step, the winds becoming cooler as they reach a higher altitude and clouds are formed consequently.

Rain then falls from these clouds in the fifth step, while dry air continues to move over the mountain from the leeward side. In the last step, these dry winds arrive at the inland areas, thus resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarising the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process diagram. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the overall sequence from winds approaching the coast to the formation of the desert. The response follows the seven sequential steps accurately, noting how moist air rises, cools, and forms clouds that produce rain on the windward side, before dry air moves over the mountains to the leeward side and inland. The data is accurately reported without any major omissions or invented facts, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped reasonably well into introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological steps of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'In the first step', 'The third step involves', and 'In the next step' are used to guide the reader through the process, although they lean slightly mechanical at times. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction/overview from the main body steps, supporting an overall coherent structure aligned with a Band 7.0 descriptor.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, incorporating subject-specific terms like 'coastal areas', 'altitude', 'precipitation/rain', and 'leeward side'. There are some minor lexical slips and awkward phrasing, such as 'particular sort of desert called rain-shadow desert' (missing an article before rain-shadow) and 'winds approaching the coast, undergo a number of steps' (unnecessary comma). However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process clearly, earning a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several good complex constructions, such as 'while dry air continues to move over the mountain from the leeward side.' However, a few grammatical errors are present, including participle phrase issues like 'winds becoming cooler as they reach a higher altitude' (lacking a main verb) and missing articles ('a particular sort', 'a rain-shadow desert'). These errors do not impede communication, placing the grammar comfortably at a Band 6.0 level.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.