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 illustration depicts the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

Overall,the process consists of 7 sequential steps, beginning with the winds that approach the coast ,followed by raining at the peak of the mountain and ending with dry winds accumulating the inland areas. In addition,the process ends at thousands of kilometres away from the sea level.

Initially,moist winds from the sea hit the coast and is pushed upwards in the windward side gradually. After the wind rises, it subsequently undergoes cloud formation as it cools.Eventually, the cloud float upwards to give rainfall at the peak of the mountain range.

The remaining steps occur on its leeward side where dry air continues to flow downhill over the mountain slope. Once the dry winds in the leeward side reaches the inland areas, rain-shadow desert is formed.Moreover, the mountain acts as a high inducer responsible for the formation of such an irreversible phenomena near the sea level.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarising the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. The overview correctly outlines the seven sequential stages, moving from coastal winds to inland desert conditions, and captures the scale of 'thousands of kilometres'. Key features such as the windward side, cloud formation, precipitation at the peak, and the leeward dry air descent are accurately reported. However, there are minor factual slips in the expression, such as claiming the process ends 'near the sea level' when the diagram shows inland areas at a distance, and stating 'raining at the peak' rather than precipitation. Nevertheless, the core information is well-covered and salient features are compared and reported effectively, earning a solid Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised and easy to follow. Progression is clearly guided by sequential markers such as 'Overall', 'Initially', 'After', 'Eventually', and 'Once'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction and overview from the detailed body stages. Cohesive devices are generally well-managed, though there are minor mechanical issues with spacing and punctuation after commas (e.g., 'Overall,the process', 'In addition,the process'). Referencing is clear throughout, allowing the reader to trace the flow of air masses from the sea across the mountain range to the inland area. The overall logical arrangement meets the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process effectively, using terms such as 'sequential steps', 'accumulating', 'subsequently', and 'irreversible phenomenon'. There are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'dry winds accumulating the inland areas' instead of reaching or affecting, and 'high inducer', which is unnatural in this context. Spelling is generally accurate, though minor spacing errors occur after commas. The lexical range allows for some precision, but occasional inaccuracies in word choice prevent a higher band, placing this response firmly at Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and temporal subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Once the dry winds in the leeward side reaches the inland areas...'). Grammatical control is fairly good, but there are a few noticeable errors, such as subject-verb agreement ('winds... hit... and is pushed', 'winds... reaches'). Punctuation and spacing errors around commas are also present throughout the text. Despite these slips, communication is never impeded, and complex structures are attempted with reasonable success, justifying a Band 6.0.

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

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