Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-27

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, how rain-shadow desert is established.

Overall, the process is divided into seven stages, beginning with the winds and concludes with winds reaching inland areas, where the desert is formed.

The first step involves winds coming from the sea approacing coach, and moving upwards, followed by cooling of the moist air. Afterwards, clouds are formed, which results in rainfall. Once, rainfall stops, the dry air continues to move downwards over the mountain. Following this, the air moves leeward side of mountain, where this air reaches the inland areas. In this way, the Rain-shadow desert is formed. Moreover, it can be seen that there are thousands of kilometers distance between the sea-coast and the desert.

In conclusion, the entire process can be seen as a number of steps, each playing a crucial role in the formation of the desert. Starting from the winds from the sea approaching the coast, and moving upwards, ending being dry, and approaching the inland sides of the mountain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the visual diagram regarding the formation of rain-shadow deserts. The student provides a clear overview and covers the key stages of the process, from winds approaching the coast and being pushed upwards, to cooling, cloud formation, precipitation, and dry air moving over the leeward side to the inland desert. Key features, such as the thousands of kilometres distance, are appropriately incorporated. The information is accurate and directly grounded in the visual data. Overall, the task is well-executed, earning a solid band score for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is generally well-organized with a logical progression from the introduction to the body and concluding summary. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'The first step involves', 'Afterwards', 'Following this', and 'In conclusion' are employed to guide the reader through the stages of the diagram. However, some mechanical or repetitive linking phrases appear (e.g., repeating 'approaching' and 'moving upwards' in the conclusion), which slightly limits higher-band flexibility. Nevertheless, the logical flow remains clear throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a natural geographical process, utilizing terms like 'moist air', 'precipitation', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. However, there are a few lexical and spelling inaccuracies that detract from precision, such as 'approacing coach' instead of 'approaching coast', and minor awkward collocations. Despite these slips, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main features of the diagram effectively, aligning well with the band 6 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'beginning with the winds and concludes with winds reaching', 'followed by cooling of the moist air'). There are some grammatical errors, such as the incorrect comma placement and awkward tense shift in the opening sentence ('illustrates, how'), subject-verb agreement issues ('concludes' instead of 'concluding'), and missing articles before nouns ('Rain-shadow desert'). Nonetheless, these errors do not impede communication, supporting a band 6 score.

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

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