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 diagram illustrates how the formation of rain-shadow deserts occurs as moist air travels from the sea coast across a mountain to inland areas.

Overall, this process consists of seven main stages, beginning with the wind approaching the coast and ending with the dry air reaching the inland region, creating a rain shadow desert. This process covers thousands of kilometers as the wind covers the distance of mountains.

This formation of rain shadow deserts commences with the winds approaching the coast where the winds are pushed upward the mountain. Where the moist air rises and cools down to form clouds. After that, the rain falls down from the clouds and reaches at the top of the mountain. Now, the dry air continues to come down from the leeward side of the mountain to the ground. And when the wind touch down the inland area the rain shadow desert was formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student provides a clear overview of the process and covers all the main stages shown in the diagram, from the winds approaching the coast to the formation of the rain-shadow desert over thousands of kilometres. The selection of features is accurate and reflects the progression of the rain-shadow effect well. However, some parts of the response are slightly underdeveloped; for instance, the explanation of the leeward side could be slightly more detailed regarding the descending dry air. Overall, all parts of the prompt are addressed adequately, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0, and here it aligns well with Band 6.0 as some descriptions are a bit basic or repetitive in structure.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a clear overall progression, moving logically from the introduction to the overview and then through the sequential steps of the diagram. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'Overall', 'beginning with', and 'After that', though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, but occasional minor cohesion lapses occur, such as starting sentences with conjunctions or fragments like 'Where the moist air rises'. Overall, the organization is coherent and easy to follow, supporting a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a natural process, including terms like 'moist air', 'rain-shadow desert', 'leeward side', and 'inland region'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, but also noticeable word-choice and collocation errors, such as 'when the wind touch down' instead of 'touches down' or 'reaches', and repetitive phrasing throughout the body paragraph. Spelling is generally accurate, but the lexical range is somewhat limited and lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammar. However, there are several noticeable grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as sentence fragments ('Where the moist air rises and cools down to form clouds') and subject-verb agreement issues ('when the wind touch down'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but errors in clause structure and verb forms occur frequently enough to occasionally cause minor hesitation for the reader. These errors place the essay firmly in the Band 6 category.

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

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