Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-03

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 given process diagram illustrates the process of rain shadow desert is formed after the rain.

Overall, the linear process consist of seven main stages, starting with winds reaches coast from sea and ending with dry wind reaches inland areas. The main feature is that rain falls on windsward side and dry winds move forward to leeward side.

Initially, winds reaches coast from the sea and they pushed upward beside the mountain, then the moisture air rises and cools at particular temperture and its was formed into clouds. Subsquently winds reaches at peak of the mountain and rain falls on windsward side.

Following this, there is no moisture in the winds, then dry winds continue to move downward on the opposite side of the mountain it reaches leeward side. In the next stage the dry winds reaches inland area and small pacricle of rain shadow desert is formed after the rain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of rain-shadow desert formation and highlighting key features, such as rainfall on the windward side and dry winds moving to the leeward side. The overview correctly identifies a seven-stage linear process. However, some parts of the response are slightly under-developed or imprecise regarding the full spatial relationships shown in the diagram, such as the transition from the coast across the mountains to inland areas. While the requirements of the task are adequately met to a competent standard, extending the explanation of atmospheric changes at each stage would elevate the response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text has a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Following this', and 'In the next stage' are used to structure the progression of the process, though referencing and cohesive links are at times slightly mechanical or repetitive (for instance, the repeated use of 'then' and 'reaches'). Paragraphing is used logically to separate the different phases of the diagram. To move to a higher level, a more flexible range of transition signals and smoother integration of clauses would be required.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

An adequate range of vocabulary is deployed for the task, including appropriate subject-specific terms such as 'process diagram', 'moisture air', and 'leeward side'. The writer makes several attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'subsequently' and 'temperature', but these are accompanied by word choice and spelling errors, such as 'temperture' and 'pacricle' instead of 'particle'. Inaccuracies in word form, including 'windsward' instead of 'windward', are also present. These errors do not impede overall communication, but they restrict the lexical score by demonstrating occasional lapses in control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, though attempts at complex forms frequently contain grammatical errors. There are frequent issues with verb forms, subject-verb agreement, and articles, such as 'winds reaches', 'moisture air rises', and 'its was formed'. Prepositions within grammatical patterns also show inaccuracy, as seen in 'winds reaches at peak'. Errors in grammar and punctuation occur with some frequency throughout the text, though they rarely impede the reader's ability to understand the general meaning. Achieving a higher band would require greater control over complex sentence patterns and significantly fewer grammatical slips.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.