Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-01

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 8.5)

The provided diagram illustrates the process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed, from moist sea winds to dry inland winds.

Overall, the formation involves four main stages across the coastline, windward side, leeward side, and inland areas, with the entire process covering thousands of kilometres.

Firstly, moist winds from the sea approach the coast and are forced upwards along the steep slope of the windward side. As the air rises to higher altitudes, the temperature drops, causing the moisture in the air to condense and form clouds. When these clouds reach the mountain peak, rainfall occurs on the windward side.

Subsequently, the now dry air, having lost most of its moisture, continues over the mountains and descends down the leeward side. As this dry wind moves towards the inland areas, it carries particles of sand and dust, which gradually accumulate to form the rain-shadow desert in the leeward region.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

这篇作文通过总结雨影沙漠的形成过程，有效地完成了任务要求。您成功识别了主要特征，包括湿润空气的移动、冷凝过程、迎风面的降雨现象，以及随后在背风面形成的沙漠。概述清晰，对所涉及的阶段进行了合乎逻辑的总结。基于所提供的图表，信息准确，且对迎风面与背风面的对比处理得当。题目要求的所有部分均已涵盖，且针对此类任务，文章内容充实。

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

文章逻辑组织严密，包含清晰的引言、概述以及两个按照过程时间顺序排列的主体段落。文中有效地使用了 'Firstly'、'Subsequently' 和 'As the air rises' 等衔接词，引导读者理解各个阶段。段落划分恰当，将初始的大气条件与最终的沙漠形成过程区分开来。信息流动顺畅，不同阶段之间的关系明确，使文章易于阅读。

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

您使用了大量适合科学或地理描述的词汇，例如 'condense'、'altitudes'、'leeward' 和 'accumulate'。语言精确且非常贴合语境。在词汇选择或搭配上没有重大错误。虽然目前的词汇量已经足够且准确，但如果能为 'dry' 或 'formed' 等常用词加入一些更高级或更多样化的同义词，文章水平将更上一层楼，不过目前的词汇范围对于高分段来说已经绰绰有余。

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

写作展示了极高的语法掌控力。您使用了多种复杂的句式结构，例如分词短语（'having lost most of its moisture'）和从句（'As this dry wind moves...'），处理得非常准确。全文标点使用正确，没有明显的语法错误。大部分句子都没有错误，时态和语态的运用也符合描述过程的要求。结构复杂精巧，有助于提升报告的整体清晰度。

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