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 diagram illustrates the process of formation of rain-shadow deserts.

Overall, the process consists of seven steps, starting with formation of moist air which travels thousands of kilometers to reach inland areas where rain-shadow desert is formed.

The process initiates when the strong winds near the sea coast starts approaching the coast in the windward side of the mountain. Subsequently, the inclined mountain surface pushes the winds in the upward direction. As the altitude increases gradually, air attains moisture and eventually cools, leading to formation of clouds filled with water.

Moreover, formation of clouds is followed by the rain fall under suitable conditions, clouds bursts heavily. When all the moisture is drained out from the clouds, dry air continues to flow over mountain from the Leeward side. Finally, when the dry air reach inland areas beside the mountain, it gives rise to rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the seven main steps involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert. An appropriate overview is provided, capturing the overall scope of the process from moist air generation to the final inland desert formation. However, note that the length requirement of 150 words was not met, as the text contains 144 words. Furthermore, certain stages are slightly under-developed or contain minor descriptive inaccuracies, such as stating that air 'attains moisture' as altitude increases, whereas the diagram shows moist air approaching from the sea. Despite these minor limitations, the key features of the visual data are successfully reported and compared.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the initial stages near the coast to the final inland desert formation. Paragraphing is used adequately to separate the introduction, overview, and the sequential steps of the process. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well to guide the reader, with phrases like 'Consequently', 'Moreover', and 'Finally' helping to structure the explanation. However, referencing and cohesion can occasionally feel somewhat mechanical, and some transitions between sentences lack absolute fluency, preventing the response from reaching a higher band. Overall, the information flows logically and is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

An adequate range of vocabulary is used for the task, attempting some less common terms related to geographical processes, such as 'altitude', 'moisture', and 'precipitation-related concepts'. There are, however, some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the rain fall' and 'clouds bursts heavily', which slightly detract from precision. Spelling is generally accurate throughout the response, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. To improve, the student should focus on utilizing more precise phrasing and collocation when describing scientific or geographical phenomena, while maintaining control over word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a reasonable ability to construct multi-clause sentences such as 'As the altitude increases gradually, air attains moisture and eventually cools...' There are some minor errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing articles ('the rain fall') and awkward subject-verb agreement or preposition use in expressions like 'when the dry air reach inland areas'. Nevertheless, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to grasp the intended meaning without difficulty. A wider range of error-free complex structures would be needed to secure a higher band.

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.