Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01

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 7.0)

The diagram shows the stages involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process involves moist sea winds being lifted by mountains. This causes rain on the windward side and a desert on the leeward side.

To begin with, winds carrying water vapor from the sea move towards the land. When they hit the mountains, they are forced to rise. As the air rises up the windward side, it cools and clouds develop. At this point, rain falls on this side of the mountains.

After crossing the mountains, the dry air moves to the other side. The air then goes down towards the inland areas and becomes hot and dry. Therefore, almost no rain falls here. As a result of this lack of rain, a desert known as a rain-shadow desert is formed in the inland areas. This process ultimately gives rise to rain shadow desert in these regions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have clearly distinguished between the windward and leeward sides, which is essential for this task. The overview provides a concise summary of the process, and the body paragraphs follow the logical sequence shown in the diagram. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention the specific features of the diagram, such as the 'moist sea winds' and the 'inland areas,' with more analytical precision. While the main features are covered, the response could be improved by slightly more detailed descriptions of the transition phases, such as the specific state of the air as it descends.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a body paragraph for the windward side, and a concluding paragraph for the leeward side. The use of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'As the air rises,' 'After crossing,' and 'As a result' helps the reader follow the process smoothly. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the distinct stages of the cycle. The progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow throughout the text. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is natural, contributing to a coherent overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is accurate and appropriate for a process description. Terms such as 'moist sea winds,' 'water vapor,' 'windward side,' and 'leeward side' demonstrate a good grasp of the subject-specific terminology required for this task. The range is sufficient to convey the information clearly. To improve, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or synonyms to avoid repetition, such as using 'precipitate' instead of 'rain falls' or 'arid' instead of 'dry.' The current vocabulary is functional and precise enough for the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing displays a good control of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'As the air rises up the windward side, it cools and clouds develop.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free. To aim for a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using passive voice to describe the process (e.g., 'The air is forced to rise by the mountain range') to add more academic tone.

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