Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-04

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 the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

Overall, it is a lengthy 7 steps process which is divided into three important stages. Starting from windward side of mountains to leeward side and ended in inland areas.

The procedure initiated when winds approached coast-line from the sea. Winds pushed upwards of the mountains which cools down the moisten air. The moist air reaches the peak of mountain and converted into clouds. These clouds are responsible for the rain which falls on the top of the hill.

In the next stages, after rain, dry air moves in the downward trend to the other side of mountains which is a leeward side. Finally, the dry wind reaches the inland areas which are at distance thousands of kilometers from coast-line. That's how the rain shadow desert becomes from the travelling of winds.

In summary, winds travel from one side of the mountains to other side by converting into clouds and rain eventually and finally reached thousand kilometres away inland areas. This process formed rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and outlining the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process. Key features, such as the progression from the sea and coast across the windward side of the mountains to the leeward side and inland areas, are reported. However, some aspects are slightly under-developed or lack full elaboration. For instance, the explanation of cloud formation and precipitation on the windward side is described generally, but the mechanics of the rain shadow effect itself on the leeward side could be extended further to achieve a higher band. The overview accurately captures the general trajectory of the process from the coast to thousands of kilometres inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear progression from the beginning of the process at the sea to its conclusion in inland areas. Information is logically sequenced into a manageable paragraph structure that follows the stages shown in the diagram. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the steps, such as 'Overall', 'Starting from', 'In the next stages', 'Finally', and 'In summary'. However, referencing and cohesion are occasionally a bit mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on time-sequencing markers. Paragraphing is adequate, but the division of sentences could be smoother to avoid slightly abrupt transitions between the detailed steps.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

An adequate range of vocabulary is deployed for the task, successfully conveying the geographical concepts required in the diagram. The student attempts less common lexical items such as 'coast-line', 'moisten air' (intended as moist air), 'leeward side', and 'traveling of winds', showing an awareness of topic-specific terminology. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and word formation, such as 'moisten air' instead of 'moist air', 'the procedure initiated' instead of 'the process begins', and 'becomes' instead of 'is formed'. Spelling is generally accurate, and these lexical inadequacies do not impede overall communication, placing the response comfortably in the competent range for vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a basic control over grammatical structures. There are several instances of successful complex sentences, such as 'Winds pushed upwards of the mountains which cools down the moisten air.' However, there are noticeable grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly concerning tense consistency, prepositions, and verb forms, such as 'is a lengthy 7 steps process' (should be 7-step process), 'ended in inland areas' (should be end in), and 'reached thousand kilometres away' (should be reaching thousands of kilometres). Punctuation and article usage also exhibit minor flaws. These errors occur regularly alongside error-free simple sentences and rarely impede overall comprehension, reflecting a solid partial achievement of the next band level.

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

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