Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-12

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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed as moist air moves from the sea across a mountain range.

From the first glimpse of diagram it is abundantly clear that, winds approach the coast from the sea and move towards the mountains. As the moist air reaches the mountain range, it is forced upwards. With increasing altitude, the air rises and cools, resulting in the formation of clouds. When the air becomes sufficiently cool, rain falls on the windward side of the mountains. This area therefore receives considerably more precipitation

After crossing the mountain peak, the air continues towards the leeward side. As it descends, it becomes warmer and considerably drier. The dry air then travels further inland, where there is very little rainfall. As a result, the inland area on the leeward side of the mountains develops into a rain-shadow desert. The diagram indicates that this process can occur across thousands of kilometers.

Overall, all the steps are important, omission of even a single step would halt the whole process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, from the moist air movement to the final arid conditions on the leeward side. You have successfully identified the main features and provided a logical sequence of events. The summary is accurate and addresses the prompt well. To reach a higher band, ensure that you avoid subjective commentary, such as the final sentence stating that 'all the steps are important'. In Task 1, the focus should remain strictly on reporting the data or process provided in the diagram rather than offering personal opinions or conclusions about the process itself.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial stage (moist air from the sea) to the final stage (rain-shadow desert). Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different phases of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'As the moist air reaches', 'After crossing', and 'As a result' are used appropriately to link ideas. The flow is smooth and easy to follow. The final sentence, however, feels slightly disconnected from the descriptive nature of the rest of the report, which slightly impacts the overall coherence of the summary.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'abundantly clear', 'increasing altitude', 'precipitation', and 'leeward side'. The terminology is accurate and demonstrates a good grasp of the subject matter. There is sufficient flexibility to convey the information precisely. To improve further, try to incorporate more varied academic collocations to describe the movement of air or the transformation of the landscape, rather than relying on simpler phrasings like 'travels further inland'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. There is a minor grammatical slip in the second paragraph: 'From the first glimpse of diagram' should be 'From the first glimpse of the diagram'. Additionally, the sentence structure is generally sound, though some sentences could be more varied in their complexity to demonstrate a wider range. Overall, the grammar is controlled and does not impede communication.

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

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