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 process of forming of a dessert named as rain shadow desert.

Overall, there are four main routes of this formation such as Sea coast, windward side, leeward side and Inland. Coast is the initial point, while the last stage is inland and the distance between coast and inland is thousands of kilometers.

The formation of rain shadow desert consists of seven steps. Initially winds approach the coast and these winds start to move upward from the sea or coast, which leads to the cooling and rising of moist air. This results in the formation of clouds towards the windward side and eventually rain fall starts.

After rain fall dry air continues over the mountain and leads toward the leeward side. Dry winds then reach the inland areas and leads to the formation of rain shadow desert. All of this process of formation happen over the mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses the main features of the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert. An overview is attempted, noting the key regions (sea coast, windward side, leeward side, and inland) and the horizontal scale of 'thousands of kilometers'. The seven distinct steps of the process are reported logically, tracking the movement of moist air, cloud formation, precipitation, and the resulting dry air passing over the mountains to the inland desert. However, there are minor inaccuracies in terminology, such as referring to a 'dessert' rather than a 'desert', and stating that there are 'four main routes' when the labels actually represent geographical zones and features. Nevertheless, all parts of the visual data are covered reasonably well, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a clear overall arrangement and follows a logical progression from the initial stages of the process near the sea to the final formation of the rain-shadow desert inland. Paragraphing is used adequately, separating the introduction, the overview, and the detailed sequence of steps. Cohesive devices are employed to link the stages, such as 'Initially', 'After rain fall', and 'Dry winds then', although some transitions are slightly repetitive or mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical progression could be smoother with more varied cohesive links and better integration of the overview into the essay structure. This corresponds well to a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting less common terms such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'rain shadow desert'. However, there is a notable spelling error in the opening sentence ('dessert' instead of 'desert'), and some word choices are slightly imprecise, such as referring to geographical zones as 'routes'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, but it remains generally sufficient to communicate the main features of the process without impeding the reader's understanding. This performance fits the Band 6.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'which leads to the cooling and rising of moist air'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the process of forming of a dessert named as rain shadow desert' (awkward passive/preposition use) and subject-verb agreement issues like 'All of this process... happen'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but commas are occasionally misused. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication, placing the response firmly at Band 6.0.

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

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