Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24

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 a systematic process involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert through a type of desert.

Overall, the process includes seven different stages, starting with winds approach coast and ending with dry winds reach inland areas to make rain-shadow desert. Other stages consist of winds pushed upwards, moist air rises and cools, clouds form, and dry air continues over mountains.

Initially, winds from the upside of the sea approach the coast, where it is then pushed upwards from the windward side of mountains. Subsequently, when the air rises along the windward side of the mountans, it becomes moist and cools gradually. The cool air allows the formation of clouds which results rainfalls on the mountains. At this time, dry air moves continuously over the mountains along the leeward side. The air then travels downward and subsequently, dry winds reach inland areas. Finally, after travelling for about thousands of kilometers, rain-shadow desert is formed in inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and describing the sequential stages involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert. An appropriate overall summary is provided, identifying the seven key stages from coastal winds to the formation of the desert. The details provided, such as the windward and leeward sides of the mountains, the formation of clouds, and the dry conditions inland, closely reflect the provided visual data. The response meets the minimum word count requirement and presents a coherent picture of the process without introducing extraneous or fabricated information.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression from the beginning to the end of the natural process. The introduction outlines the process, and the overview paragraph effectively summarizes the main features. Cohesive devices and sequence markers such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'At this time', and 'Finally' are used to link the stages smoothly, though some transitions like 'at this time' feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is appropriately handled, separating the introduction/overview from the main body detail.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, successfully incorporating subject-specific terms such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'rainfalls', and 'inland areas'. However, there are some minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'winds approach coast' instead of 'winds approaching the coast' and 'upside of the sea' instead of 'sea level' or 'surface of the sea'. Despite these minor flaws, communication is not impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using relative clauses and participial phrases adequately (e.g., 'where it is then pushed upwards' and 'after travelling for about thousands of kilometers'). Grammatical control is fairly good, though there are occasional errors in subject-verb agreement and preposition use, such as 'where it is then pushed' (referring back to plural 'winds') and 'results rainfalls' instead of 'results in rainfall'. Punctuation is generally correct and does not hinder readability.

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.