Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 of a particular type of desert, called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the whole process is consisted of seven linear stages. Moist air travels thousands of kilometres, rising over the mountains and producing rainfall on the windward side before dry air reaches the inland areas and forms rain-shadow desert.

To begin with, moist air comes in contact with the coast of the sea and rised upwards to the mountain. As the air gains altitude the temperature falls and produce clouds. Consequently, precipitation begins in the form of rain as the moist air rises and cools on the windward side.

Additionally, the air then becomes dry at the top of the mountain and starts travelling down on the leeward side. However, in the end this air reaches to a point where it enters to the soil through small pores and accumulates there which in turn forms rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student covers all key stages of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram, from moist winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland areas. An overview is successfully provided in the second paragraph, outlining the seven linear stages. Main features and comparisons are generally well reported, such as noting the moist air rising over the mountains on the windward side and producing rainfall before dry air moves to the leeward side. However, the final paragraph contains a minor factual inaccuracy based on the diagram, claiming that air enters the soil through small pores and accumulates there, whereas the diagram simply shows dry winds reaching inland areas where a rain-shadow desert is located. Despite this minor misinterpretation of the final stage, the response satisfies the requirements well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised into four paragraphs, featuring a clear introduction, an overall summary, and two body paragraphs detailing the sequential stages of the diagram. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the process, such as 'Overall', 'To begin with', 'As the air', and 'Additionally'. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function in structuring the report. Progression is mostly clear throughout the description of the linear process, though referencing in the final sentence ('this air reaches to a point where it enters to the soil') slightly disrupts the logical flow of the diagram's geographical features. Overall, the essay maintains a coherent arrangement.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a scientific process, employing terms such as 'altitude', 'precipitation', 'accumulates', and 'linear stages'. There are, however, some lexical and collocational inaccuracies. For instance, the phrase 'is consisted of' is incorrect passive usage, and 'rised upwards' contains a tense and spelling error ('rised' instead of 'rose' or 'rises'). Word choice is generally functional, but attempts at less common vocabulary occasionally result in slight awkwardness, such as describing the desert formation through soil pores. The vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main ideas clearly, though precision is occasionally lacking.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses such as 'as the air gains altitude' and 'when it enters to the soil'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including the passive voice mistake 'is consisted of', the incorrect past form 'rised', and missing prepositions or incorrect verb patterns like 'reaches to a point where it enters to'. Furthermore, tense consistency fluctuates between present and past ('rised', 'produces' versus 'reaches'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the grammar score from reaching a higher band.

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

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