Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-25

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 process diagram illustrates the stages involved in the formation of a desert titled rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages. The process starts with winds approaching the coast of the sea, culminating at the tip of a mountain where rain falls, and ends with dry winds reaching inland areas. The process of transpiration and evaporation occurs during this process.

Starting with the process, the winds approach the coast of the sea and then climb upwards to the mountain. Reaching the higher altitude, the air combines with moisture and the temperature cools down. As they move higher, they combine to form clouds. At the highest point, the rain starts to fall.

After the rain falls, the air approaches the leeward side of the mountain. It becomes dry over the mountains and reaches the inland areas, where it creates the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, moving from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. An overview is provided, noting that the process has seven stages. However, the student includes an extraneous detail not present in the diagram by mentioning that 'The process of transpiration and evaporation occurs during this process', which detracts from accurate reporting of the visual data. Furthermore, the response is under the required 150-word minimum, containing only 143 words, which limits the level of detail and development possible for a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression from the beginning to the end of the process. The student uses basic cohesive devices and transitional markers to guide the reader through the stages, such as 'Overall', 'Starting with the process', and 'After the rain falls'. Paragraphing is appropriately handled, separating the introduction, overview, and body steps. However, referencing is sometimes repetitive, and the mechanical repetition of 'the process' reduces the sophistication of the cohesive framework, placing the response firmly in the mid-bands.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating process-related terms such as 'altitude', 'moisture', 'temperature', and 'leeward side'. However, there is some awkward phrasing and repetition, notably 'The process of transpiration and evaporation occurs during this process' and the repetitive use of 'the process' throughout the text. Less common lexical items are attempted but lack precision and natural collocation. Spelling is accurate, and vocabulary does not impede overall communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing participial phrases like 'Reaching the higher altitude' and dependent clauses like 'As they move higher'. Grammatical control is generally decent, with many sentences forming correctly. However, there are minor awkwardness issues and slight mechanical errors in expression, such as 'the air combines with moisture and the temperature cools down' where subjects shift slightly in reference. Overall, the grammatical range is sufficient for a competent score, though complex structures occasionally lack polished accuracy.

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

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