Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-11

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 7.5)

The diagram illustrates the natural process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed. It shows how mountains influence a moist air mass, causing rain to fall on one side while leaving the other side dry and desert-like.

The sequence begins with winds approaching the coast from over the sea, carrying significant moisture. When this moist air hits the coastal landmass, the terrain forces the winds upward, creating the "windward side" of the mountain. In the third stage, as the moist air continues to rise, it cools down.

This cooling causes the moisture to condense, which leads to the fourth stage: the formation of clouds. These large, water-heavy clouds then produce substantial rain that falls over the windward slopes of the mountains, which is stage five of the process. This specific weather pattern effectively drains the air mass of moisture on only one side.

The remaining steps show the outcome on the other side. Having lost its rain, the air, which is now dry, continues to move over the mountain peak towards the "leeward side." It descends and reaches the far side, which is labeled as inland. Finally, these dry winds flow across the landscape, leading to the creation of a "rain-shadow desert" far inland, with the diagram showing this entire landscape extending for thousands of kilometers.

Overall, the process is a single path sequence consisting of seven distinct stages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all stages of the process shown in the diagram. You have successfully identified the key features, such as the moisture-laden air, the orographic lift, the condensation process, and the resulting rain-shadow effect. The overview is clear, and the logical progression from the windward side to the leeward side is well-maintained. You have accurately interpreted the visual information and presented it in a coherent manner, ensuring that the reader understands the causal relationship between the mountain barrier and the desert formation. The response is well-balanced and addresses all parts of the prompt without any significant omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial stage of moist air approaching the coast to the final outcome of the rain-shadow desert. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, and the transition between the windward and leeward sides is handled smoothly. You have used a variety of cohesive devices, such as 'The sequence begins', 'In the third stage', and 'The remaining steps', which help guide the reader through the process. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process accurately. Terms such as 'moist air mass', 'orographic', 'condense', 'leeward side', and 'landscape' are used appropriately. The language is precise and fits the academic tone required for this task. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or technical terminology related to meteorology to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures. You have successfully used subordinate clauses and participial phrases, such as 'Having lost its rain, the air... continues to move' and 'causing rain to fall on one side while leaving the other side dry'. The grammar is generally accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent throughout the description of the natural process.

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

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