Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-26

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 below shows the formation of one type of desert. It is called a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process generally involves several stages. First, the winds approach the coast. Finally, the dry winds reach inland areas thousands of kilometers away from the coast.

In the first stage, the winds approach the sea near the coast, and then, in the second stage, the winds are pushed upwards. The moist air rises and cools, which is the third stage. Next, the fourth stage involves cloud formation, and in the fifth stage, the clouds produce rain. This process happens in the middle of the windward side, where precipitation occurs.

In addition, the sixth stage involves dry air, which continues over the mountains towards the leeward side. The dry winds then reach inland areas, creating the area known as a rain-shadow desert, thousands of kilometers away from the coast. This is the final stage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student covers all key features of the diagram regarding the formation of a rain-shadow desert, noting the progression from winds approaching the coast, rising and cooling moist air, cloud formation, rainfall on the windward side, and dry air continuing over the mountains to the leeward side and inland areas. An overview is provided at the beginning, summarizing the general process. However, the heavy reliance on numbering the stages directly as they appear in the prompt (e.g., 'in the first stage', 'the third stage', 'the fourth stage') makes the response read like a mechanical list rather than a smoothly integrated academic summary. To reach a higher band, the student should synthesize the information more fluidly rather than enumerating every single step sequentially.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and an overall summary statement. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different phases of the geographical process. However, cohesion relies heavily on repetitive sequential markers like 'In the first stage', 'in the second stage', 'the third stage', and 'the sixth stage', which feels overly mechanical and repetitive. While referencing is generally clear ('the winds', 'the dry air'), the mechanical transitions prevent the text from achieving a smoother, more natural logical progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range suitable for describing a scientific process, successfully utilizing relevant terms from the prompt such as 'coast', 'moist air', 'precipitation', 'mountains', 'leeward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. However, the lexical resource is somewhat restricted because the writer relies heavily on repeating words and phrases directly from the prompt rather than paraphrasing them (e.g., 'winds approach the coast', 'dry air continues over the mountain'). There are no glaring spelling errors, but the lack of less common lexical items or skillful paraphrasing keeps this criterion at a modest level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses such as 'which is the third stage' and participle phrases like 'creating the area known as a rain-shadow desert'. Grammatical control is generally sound, and punctuation is used correctly throughout the text. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, with no severe errors that impede communication. The range of structures is sufficient to fulfill the task requirements, though greater variety in clause structures and subordinating conjunctions would elevate the grammatical score further.

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

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