Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-14

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the process by which a rain shadow desert is formed.

Overall, it can be seen that the formation of this kind of desert is a result of the interaction between moist wind, a mountain range and the loss of moisture on the windward side, which leads to dry condition on the leeward side.

Initially, winds approach the cost from the sea and are pushed upwards by the mountains. As the air rises, it cool down and moisture in the air condenses, forming clouds. These clouds then release rain, which fall on the windward side of the mountain.

After the air lost most of its moisture, it continues to move over the mountain and descends on the leeward side. As the air go down, it become drier, and the dry winds eventually reach the inland areas. Over time the lack of rainfall creates a rain shadow desert on the leeward side of the mountain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response covers the main stages and gives a clear overview: moist winds rise over the mountains, lose moisture on the windward side, and continue as dry air towards the inland desert. The sequence from approaching the coast to rainfall and onward movement is accurately reported, and the final sentence links the lack of rain to desert formation. This is a strong, well-focused account. To make the description more fully precise, avoid adding a process not shown: “As the air go down, it become drier” suggests descent causes further drying, whereas the diagram identifies the air as dry after rain and shows it continuing over the mountain. The overview could also state more directly that the mountain creates contrasting wet and dry sides.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The information is arranged in a clear sequence, with an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs that follow the process from the coast to the inland desert. Linking expressions such as “Initially,” “As,” “After,” and “Over time” help the reader track the stages, and references to “these clouds” and “the air” are generally easy to follow. This gives the account a logical progression. Some connections could be more exact: “After the air lost most of its moisture” is followed by a claim that it becomes drier as it descends, which blurs the distinction between moisture loss through rainfall and the later movement inland. More precise links between each stage would make the cohesion even more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for describing the process, and several terms are appropriately specific, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “condenses,” and “inland areas.” The writer also varies basic wording with phrases such as “approach,” “release rain,” and “lack of rainfall.” However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise: “cost” should be “coast,” “dry condition” is unnatural in this context, and “the air go down” is not a natural description of descending air. “Rain shadow desert” is also usually written as “rain-shadow desert.” Greater consistency in using process vocabulary such as “descend,” “moisture,” and “precipitation” would improve precision and show more flexible control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex structures, including a relative clause (“which leads to…”) and time clauses beginning “As” and “After.” Most stages remain understandable, and the paragraphing supports the explanation. Some grammatical errors nevertheless recur, particularly in verb forms and agreement: “it cool down” should be “it cools down,” “which fall” should be “which falls,” “the air go down” should be “the air goes down,” and “it become drier” should be “it becomes drier.” There is also a tense inconsistency in “After the air lost most of its moisture” within a present-tense process description; use “loses.” Correcting these forms and maintaining the present simple consistently would strengthen accuracy while preserving the existing range.

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.