Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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 which was a simple desert earlier. Overall, the process consists seven stages, beginning with the winds approach the coast which is near the mountain range and ending with the formation of a rain-shadow desert. Noticeably, the rain falls on the windward side, while the dry air reaches the leeward side, creating drier conditions.

At the first stage, winds approach the coastal area from the sea level right before being pushed upwards to the mountains. After that moist air rises and cool to the formation of clouds, in the windward side, upwards pushed winds are transformed into moist air which cools while rising up. In the subsequent stage, clouds become dark and the rain falls heavily.

After rain falls, the droplets are changed into dry air and it continues over the mountain. From the Leeward side this dry air decreases towards the inland areas and right before rain shadow desert is formed it finally reaches it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by providing an overview and outlining the key stages of rain-shadow desert formation. However, some aspects are more fully developed than others. The overview correctly identifies that the process has seven stages and captures the contrast between the windward and leeward sides. Yet, parts of the body paragraphs contain slightly repetitive or under-developed descriptions of the mechanical steps, such as 'upwards pushed winds are transformed into moist air which cools while rising up.' To reach a higher level, all steps should be integrated into a seamless, fully extended account of the data without unnecessary repetition or minor descriptive gaps.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and concluding progression. Cohesive devices are used to signal sequence, such as 'At the first stage,' 'After that,' and 'In the subsequent stage.' However, cohesion is occasionally mechanical or faulty, as seen in referencing and transition phrases like 'right before rain shadow desert is formed it finally reaches it,' which makes the flow slightly awkward. Paragraphing is present and logically structured, but paragraph boundaries and internal referencing could be managed more skilfully to ensure smoother progression throughout the response.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

An adequate range of vocabulary is used for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms like 'windward side,' 'leeward side,' 'coastal area,' and 'moist air.' The writer attempts less common vocabulary, though there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'which was a simple desert earlier' or 'cool to the formation of clouds.' Spelling and word-choice errors, including missing articles or minor miscollocations, are present but do not impede communication. To improve, the writer should employ more precise academic phrasing and refine word forms when describing scientific processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and adverbial phrases. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as tense usage ('winds approach' mixed with past references like 'which was'), missing prepositions, and awkward phrasing like 'moist air rises and cool' (agreement error). These errors occur frequently enough to characterize a half-band below a higher descriptor, but they rarely impede communication. The majority of structures show an attempt at complexity, though control over complex sentence patterns requires greater consistency and accuracy.

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