Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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 visuals given below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the given diagram shows the formation of rain-shadow deserts, which includes total seven steps, where it initially starts from winds approach coast and ends at when the dry winds reach at inland areas. The process is natural.

Initially, winds from the sea approach the coast and are push upward as they reach the mountains. As the air rises along the wind ward side it becomes cooler. Consequently, the moisture in the the air condenses and clouds form. When the cloud became sufficiently dense, rain falls on the windward side of mountain.

After releasing much of the moisture, the air continues over mountain towards leeward side. Through the way it becomes more dry and reach to inland areas. These dry winds travel inland for thousands of kilometres, where they create a dry region known as a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all key stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, from winds approaching the coast on the left to dry winds reaching inland areas across thousands of kilometres on the right. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, correctly identifying the total number of steps and the natural nature of the process. Main features and spatial relationships, such as the windward side, mountain peak, leeward side, and the resulting desert, are accurately reported. The information is fully grounded in the provided visual data with no major omissions or misinterpretations. This performance aligns well with the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is clearly organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and distinct body paragraphs detailing the stages. Progression is logical, moving sequentially from left to right across the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'As the air rises', and 'After releasing much of the moisture' are used effectively to guide the reader through the process. However, some minor awkwardness in referencing occurs, such as 'The visuals given below shows' and 'the cloud became', slightly detracting from overall flow. Progression and paragraphing are generally clear, supporting a Band 7.0 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic process description, utilising terms like 'condenses', 'moisture', 'leeward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. There are, however, some lexical and grammatical word-choice errors, such as 'the cloud became' (should be plural 'clouds became') and 'reach to inland areas' (unnecessary preposition). Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation. Spelling is generally accurate. This vocabulary profile sits comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range, warranting a solid 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'As the air rises along the wind ward side it becomes cooler'). However, there are several noticeable grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The visuals... shows', 'winds... are push upward') and missing articles or prepositions ('in the the air', 'reach to inland areas'). While these errors do not impede communication, their frequency prevents the grammar score from reaching Band 7.0, making Band 6.0 the most accurate descriptor.

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