Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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 sequential stages of formation of rain-shadow desert. Overall the process consist seven key stages start with moist air blowing towords the wind ward side over the sea areas and culminating in the creation of arid desert on the inland side of mountain.

Initially the moisture-laden wind originate over the sea and pushed upwards to the coastal line reached at windward side of mountain which leads condensation of water vapour in form of clouds and when the air become saturated it start precipitating into rain on the windward side of the mountain.

Having released most of the moisture in the rain the dried air start travelling over the mountain the leeward side. furthermore this dried air converts came in the contact with inland areas after coming the contact with these areas distancing upto thousands of kilometres. eventually this resulting in the formation of an inland rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the sequential stages involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, from the initial winds blowing off the sea over the windward side of the mountain to the final arid conditions on the leeward side. The response provides a clear overview and covers the main features depicted in the diagram, such as the condensation of moisture, cloud formation, precipitation, and the dry air descending onto the inland area across thousands of kilometres. While the description is somewhat condensed, it accurately reports the logical progression of the process without significant omissions or inaccuracies. This performance aligns well with the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0, and is rounded to a solid Band 6.5 due to slight under-development in comparing the two sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement, dividing the text into an introduction and two body paragraphs that follow the chronological stages of the diagram. Cohesive devices and transition words are used, such as 'Overall', 'Initially', 'Furthermore', and 'Eventually', which help guide the reader through the sequence. However, paragraphing is somewhat basic, and there are mechanical links and minor referencing errors that occasionally make the flow clunky, such as 'converting came in the contact with inland areas'. The logical progression is maintained throughout, but the management of cohesive devices lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for higher bands. Therefore, a Band 6.0 is awarded.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, including terms like 'moisture-laden', 'condensation', 'water vapour', 'saturated', 'precipitating', and 'arid desert'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors throughout the text, such as 'towords' instead of 'towards', 'wind ward' instead of 'windward', 'distancing upto' instead of 'stretching up to', and 'this resulting in' instead of 'this results in'. These lexical inaccuracies and non-standard collocations demonstrate an adequate range for the task with attempts at less common items, placing the response firmly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting relative clauses and participial phrases, such as 'having released most of the moisture in the rain the dried air start travelling over the mountain'. However, the text contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding missing punctuation, incorrect verb forms ('start' instead of 'starts', 'consist' instead of 'consists'), and run-on sentences lacking appropriate commas or conjunctions. While these errors do not severely impede communication, they disrupt the readability and reveal a lack of firm control over complex structures, warranting a Band 5.5.

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

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