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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages. It start when winds approach the coast and ends when dry winds reach the inland area. At the last it show the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

First, the winds approach the coast from the sea. These winds are then pushed upward when they reach the mountain. As the moist air rise at the windward side of mountain, it becomes cooler. This cooling process causes clouds to form on the mountain.

In the next stage, rain falls from the cloud on one side of the mountain. As a result, most of the moisture is removed from the air. After that, the dry air continues over the mountain and moves down the leeward side of the mountain. Then, the dry wind continue to reach the inland areas, where the rain shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the diagram, moving from the initial winds approaching the coast to the final formation of the rain-shadow desert. The main features are identified and reported appropriately. However, certain parts of the response are slightly under-developed, preventing a higher score. For instance, the overview mentions seven stages, but the description moves through them without fully expanding on the specific mechanics of air temperature and precipitation depicted in the diagram, such as the exact windward versus leeward transition. Nonetheless, it clearly meets the requirements for a coherent, task-focused overview and covers the necessary progression.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement, with a clear introduction, overview paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs outlining the stages of the process. Cohesive devices are used to sequence the steps, such as 'First', 'In the next stage', 'After that', and 'Then'. However, cohesion can sometimes feel mechanical or slightly repetitive, and referencing features minor lapses, such as 'At the last it show...' which disrupts the natural flow of progression. Paragraphing is utilised sufficiently to separate the introduction and overview from the sequential steps, ensuring the reader can follow the geographical and climatic progression comfortably.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms like 'coast', 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. The student attempts less common vocabulary with varying degrees of accuracy. There are a few word choice and form errors that occasionally show up, such as 'It start' (verb form/agreement issue belonging to vocabulary/spelling domain) and 'At the last it show'. Despite these minor lexical inaccuracies, the language remains clear enough not to impede communication, satisfying the criteria for an adequate resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at complex clauses such as 'As the moist air rise at the windward side of mountain, it becomes cooler'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors throughout the text, including third-person singular agreement errors ('As the moist air rise', 'it show'), missing articles ('on the mountain', 'from the cloud'), and prepositional slips. These represent frequent non-systematic errors typical of this level. While they rarely impede overall communication, they restrict the grammar score because simple structures are more reliable than the attempted complex sentences.

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