Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-02

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 figure showcases the formation of the kind of barren land, recognized as the rain-shadow desert.

Looking from an overall perspective the process consists of seven distinct steps. The most significant phase is the cloud formation stage followed by rain falls.

In the first stage winds approach the coast of the sea. Than winds are pushed upward due to the pressure of the water. In the third phase Moist air further rises above and cool down to form clouds. Followed by this is the precipitation on the top of the mountains. After that dry air continues to blow over the mountain. Finally in the last step winds reach the inland areas located beside the mountain. This inland area is refered to rain shadow desert and it does not receive rainfall. Rain-shadow desert is situated thousands of kilometers away from the sea coast.That's why it is a vast uncultivated land area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main sequence and gives an overall statement that the process has seven stages. It correctly describes winds approaching the coast, rising and cooling moist air, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air moving inland. However, some important details are less fully or accurately reported: the winds are pushed upwards by the mountains, not by “the pressure of the water,” and the final winds reach inland areas beyond the leeward side. The overview’s claim that cloud formation and rainfall are the “most significant” phases is not a clear summary of the process’s main feature. The added claims that the desert is “vast uncultivated land” and receives no rainfall go beyond what the diagram establishes. A more precise overview and explanation of the mountain’s role would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The stages are presented in a generally logical order, and sequencing phrases such as “In the first stage,” “In the third phase,” “After that,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. The response also moves from an opening statement to a brief overview and then to the sequence itself. However, the progression is somewhat mechanical because most links simply announce the next stage, and the overview does not clearly connect to the full cause-and-effect process. Some references are imprecise: “this inland area” follows a description of winds reaching inland, so it is not immediately clear whether “this” refers to the area or the winds. Grouping related stages into clearer sentences and using cause-and-effect links would make cohesion more natural.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of vocabulary for describing a process, including “formation,” “precipitation,” “coast,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert.” The writer also attempts more formal wording, such as “showcases” and “recognized as,” though these choices are not always natural in this context. Some word-choice and spelling issues reduce precision: “pressure of the water” does not accurately describe the mountain forcing air upwards, while “refered” is misspelled. “Barren land” and “uncultivated land area” add descriptions not shown in the diagram. Prefer precise process vocabulary and standard collocations, for example, “air is forced upwards by the mountains” and “dry air descends on the leeward side.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex forms, including “After that dry air continues to blow over the mountain” and the sentence beginning “This inland area is…”. The sequence remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and punctuation problems are present. “Than winds are pushed upward” should use “Then,” and “Moist air further rises above and cool down” has inconsistent verb agreement and tense; a clearer form is “moist air rises further and cools.” The opening participial phrase, “Looking from an overall perspective,” is awkwardly attached, and the final sentences run together after “sea coast.” Capitalisation is also inconsistent, as in “Moist air.” More consistent verb forms, sentence boundaries, and punctuation would improve accuracy while retaining the range of structures attempted.

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

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