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 shows the formation process of a type of desert which is known as the rain-shadow desert.

Overall, this phenomenon consists of 7 steps. Starting with winds that approach the coast and ending with the arrival of the dry winds in the inland areas. This process takes place across thousands of kilometres and mountains.

In the beginning, winds that approach from the sea to the coast are pushed upwards. At a higher level of elevation moist air rises and cools which leads to cloud formation. Everything so far has happened at what is known as the Windward side.

At step 5, rain starts to fall at the peak of the mountain after clouds form. Dry air continues to flow over the mountain at the other side known as the Leeward side. At the bottom, the dry winds reach the inland areas subsequently causing the formation of a rain-shadown desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process, covering all seven labeled steps from the initial winds approaching the coast to the final dry winds reaching inland areas. An overview is provided, noting the total number of steps and the scale of the process across thousands of kilometres and mountains. However, some descriptions are brief or overly reliant on listing individual steps (such as 'At step 5...') rather than seamlessly synthesizing the information. Overall, the information is accurately reported and grounded in the visual data, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5, rounded to 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression from the beginning of the process to the end. The text is divided into appropriate paragraphs, separating the introduction, overview, and specific stages of the diagram. Cohesive devices are used to signal transitions, such as 'In the beginning', 'Everything so far', and 'At step 5'. However, some referencing and transitions feel slightly mechanical or abrupt, and paragraphing could be structured more fluidly to connect related concepts. The arrangement is coherent overall, earning a solid Band 6.5, represented as 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating subject-specific terms from the diagram such as 'rain-shadow desert', 'Windward side', 'Leeward side', and 'moist air'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some phrasing is basic or repetitive. There is also a minor spelling error ('rain-shadown' instead of 'rain-shadow'). Word choice is generally appropriate and communication is not impeded. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('a type of desert which is known as...') and participial phrases ('starting with winds that approach...'). There are some minor grammatical and punctuation inconsistencies, such as sentence fragments ('Starting with winds that approach the coast and ending with the arrival of the dry winds in the inland areas.') and missing commas after introductory phrases. However, these errors do not impede communication, and there is a sufficient variety of structures to merit a Band 6.0.

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