Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29

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 following diagram shows the formation of rain-shadow deserts. The process consists of seven stages: winds approaching from the coast then being pushed up towards the mountain, forming clouds, raining on the mountain, and finally dry winds finally reaching inland areas.

The process starts from the moist sea air being pushed upward across thousands of kilometers of mountains while gaining altitude; the air is cooled down due to a change in temperature. At these cold temperatures, air began to transform into dense clouds. On these mountain ranges the clouds burst into rain. While traveling thousands of kilometers, these clouds turn into dry air with no moisture. Eventually when this air reaches the leeward side of the mountains, the air is extremely dry and continues over mountains towards inland. Finally, when these dry winds reach land, there is no rain. This phenomenon causes rain-shadow deserts inland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process, covering the sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. Key elements such as moisture rising, cloud formation, precipitation on the windward side, and dry air descending on the leeward side are accurately described. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 145 words. This results in a direct penalty under Task Achievement descriptors, preventing the score from reaching Band 7.0 despite the generally accurate presentation of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement and follows the chronological sequence of the diagram logically. Cohesive devices such as 'The process starts', 'While traveling', 'Eventually', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is attempted, though the division into just two blocks could be improved for better structural balance. Referencing is generally clear, though minor repetition of the noun phrase 'the air' slightly detracts from seamless cohesion. Overall, the organizational structure meets the criteria for Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for this task, utilizing terms like 'moist sea air', 'altitude', 'dense clouds', 'precipitation', and 'phenomenon'. There are some awkward collocations or slight repetitions, such as 'dry winds finally reaching... dry winds eventually reaching', and 'air is cooled down'. However, less common lexical items are attempted with reasonable success, and vocabulary choice does not impede communication, comfortably placing this response in the Band 6.0 to 6.5 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including participial phrases ('winds approaching from the coast then being pushed up') and relative clauses. There are a few grammatical inaccuracies, such as the tense inconsistency 'air began to transform' (following present tense 'is cooled down') and the awkward phrasing 'dry winds finally reaching... dry winds finally reaching inland areas' with repeated adverbs. Nevertheless, sentence structures are generally controlled, and punctuation is handled well enough that meaning is never obscured.

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

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