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 desert known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process is linear with seven distinct stages commencing with moist winds blowing towards coastline and mountain, travelling thousands of kilometers to the other side becoming dry air that is responsible for the desert formation.

Initially, winds become moist as it travels above the sea. Then the moist winds approach coast and is pushed upward to the windward side of the mountain. As a result, the moist air rises higher and cools down to form clouds. After that, rain falls at the same side making air dryer as water evaporates and left dry air behind.

Subsequently, the dry air continues to descend over the mountain. So, at the leeward side dry air after undergoing several stages and travelling thousands of kilometers reaches the inland area. Finally. in the area away from the sea and mountains air starts making the rain-shadow desert gradually.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process and presenting a clear overview of the seven distinct stages. However, some parts of the process are developed more fully than others. While the initial stages involving moist winds and cloud formation are described with decent detail, the final consequence of the desert creation is somewhat underdeveloped. The summary touches upon the key geographical transition from the sea and coast to the mountains and inland area, fulfilling the core requirements of an academic task one response appropriately, keeping the information relevant and grounded in the provided diagram without major omissions or extraneous details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text achieves a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the beginning to the end of the natural process. The response is divided appropriately into an introduction with an overview, followed by body sentences that trace the sequential steps illustrated in the visual data. Cohesive devices are used to sequence the stages, such as 'Initially', 'Then', 'After that', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally', which help guide the reader smoothly through the narrative. Although referencing and linking work generally well, some mechanical transitions and punctuation issues—such as the sentence boundary error at the end ('Finally. in the area...')—slightly detract from a higher band level, showing a mixture of effective organization and minor mechanical faults.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

An adequate range of vocabulary is deployed to handle the task effectively, including suitable terms like 'moist winds', 'coastline', 'windward side', 'descend', and 'leeward side'. The writer attempts less common vocabulary related to geographical processes, though there are some inaccuracies in word choice, form, and collocation, such as 'dryer' instead of drier, 'left dry air behind' instead of leaving dry air, and awkward phrasing like 'air starts making the rain-shadow desert gradually'. Despite these minor lexical inaccuracies and occasional word-formation slips, communication remains clear and the vocabulary is sufficiently broad to convey the essential features of the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and subordinate structures like 'winds blowing towards coastline and mountain, travelling thousands of kilometers to the other side becoming dry air that is responsible for the desert formation.' There are some errors in grammar and punctuation throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('winds... is pushed', 'moist winds approach coast and is pushed', 'winds become moist as it travels'), missing articles ('approaches coast', 'to windward side'), and a punctuation fragment error ('Finally. in the area'). However, these grammatical lapses rarely impede communication, and the sentence structures remain generally comprehensible, fitting comfortably within the mid-range expectations for grammatical accuracy.

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