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 the formation of a rain-shadow desert by providing details step by step.

Overall, there are seven major steps, starting from winds approaching the coast. The diagram depicts a sea and an inland with a mountain in between them, though the mountain has two sides; windward side and the leeward side. There is a distance of thousands of kilometres between the sea and the rain-shadow desert.

To begin with, first winds reach the sea coast, and then they are pushed upwards towards the mountain. At the third step, the moist air rises through the windward side and cools while moving to the fourth step, cloud formation. Eventually, rain starts at the fifth step, and dry air continues over the mountain downwards to the leeward side. Finally, dry winds reach inland areas, and the rain-shadow is formed.

To conclude, wind is the main feature for the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram. An overview is provided, noting the seven distinct steps and the geographical features such as the sea, the mountain with its windward and leeward sides, and the thousands of kilometres span. Key stages are reported chronologically from winds approaching the coast to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. However, the response is relatively brief, hovering just above the 150-word threshold, which limits the depth of elaboration. The summary is generally accurate, but some descriptions closely mirror the diagram labels without expanding significantly on the processes involved. Overall, the requirements for Task Achievement are met at a competent level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is organized in a logical sequence, moving from an introductory overview through a chronological body paragraph detailing the seven steps, to a brief concluding remark. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the process, such as 'To begin with', 'At the third step', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is handled adequately, separating the introduction, body, and conclusion. However, referencing is occasionally mechanical, and the progression relies heavily on enumerating the steps directly from the diagram rather than creating a seamless flow of ideas. Cohesion is functional, but slightly repetitive in its structural transitions, placing it firmly in the Band 6.5 to 7 range.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating process-specific and geographical terms such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'moist air', and 'inland areas'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary, but word choices remain somewhat basic and rely heavily on terms provided directly in the prompt's visual transcription (e.g., 'winds approach the coast', 'dry winds reach inland areas'). There are no major spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, but the range of lexical items lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases effectively (e.g., 'The diagram depicts a sea and an inland with a mountain in between them, though the mountain has two sides...'). Grammatical accuracy is reasonably good; the majority of sentences are error-free, and control over tense and subject-verb agreement is maintained throughout the process description. While complex structures are attempted and mostly controlled, there are occasional slightly awkward phrasings like 'at the third step, the moist air rises... and cools while moving to the fourth step, cloud formation'. Punctuation is generally accurate.

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

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