Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22

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 the rain-shadow desert. Overall, there are main 7 stages of the process, including the flow of the wind, cloud formation and rainfall, and the dry air flow.

Initially, the wind from the sea begins to approach the coast, pushing the wind upwards the mountain then the air will became moist as it rises and cools down at the windward side. Subsequently, the cloud will now start to form that leads to the next step, which is a rainfall.

Simultaneously, the process continues with the dry air moving over and downward at the leeward side of the mountain, and finally reaching the inland areas thus the formation of the rain-shadow desert. This process takes place thousands of kilometers away in the mountain area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student provides an overview of the process in the introduction and outlines the main stages from the winds approaching the coast to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. Key features such as moist air rising, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air crossing the mountains to inland areas are successfully identified and reported in a logical sequence. However, there is a penalty for length, as the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement at only 134 words. This prevents full development of all details shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organised into three paragraphs, including an introduction with a clear overview, and subsequent body paragraphs following the chronological steps of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', and 'Simultaneously' are used to guide the reader through the stages. However, referencing and transitions are at times slightly mechanical or abrupt, such as 'thus the formation of the rain-shadow desert'. Paragraphing is generally appropriate, ensuring a logical overall arrangement.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with domain-specific terms successfully incorporated, such as 'rain-shadow desert', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. There are some awkward word choices and minor inaccuracies, such as 'pushing the wind upwards the mountain then the air will became moist' (where 'became' contains a spelling slip and phrasing is unnatural). Nonetheless, the range is sufficient to convey the main features clearly without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'which is a rainfall', 'as it rises and cools down'). However, there are notable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout, such as 'there are main 7 stages' and 'pushing the wind upwards the mountain then the air will became moist'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor structural slips keep the grammar within the band 6 category.

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

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