Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

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 how specific geographical conditions contribute to the formation of a particular type of arid landscape known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the diagram illustrates a natural process in which moist air from coastal areas is forced upwards by mountains, resulting in rainfall on the windward side. After losing most of its moisture, the air descends on the leeward side, creating an increasingly dry region that eventually develops into a rain-shadow desert.

Initially, moist air originating from the coastal area is pushed inland by the prevailing winds. As this moisture-laden air approaches the mountain range, it is forced to rise upwards. The air gradually cools and causing clouds to form. Subsequently, rainfall occurs on the windward side of the mountains, resulting in a significant loss of moisture from the air.

Once the air has crossed the mountain range, it descends on the leeward side and becomes considerably warmer and drier. Since most of its moisture has already been released as precipitation on the windward side, little or no rainfall occurs in the inland areas. Consequently, the region remains extremely dry, and over a vast distance of thousands of kilometres, a rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively summarizes the process of rain-shadow desert formation. You have clearly identified the main stages: the movement of moist air, the orographic lifting by mountains, the resulting precipitation on the windward side, and the subsequent dry conditions on the leeward side. The overview is well-constructed, providing a clear summary of the entire process. All key features of the diagram are addressed, and the logical progression of the natural phenomenon is accurately described. The response is well-balanced and meets all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'Once', and 'Consequently' are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial movement of air from the final outcome. The flow of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the windward and leeward sides is clearly established, demonstrating a high level of coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a range of vocabulary appropriate for a scientific process, including terms like 'moisture-laden', 'prevailing winds', 'orographic', 'precipitation', and 'leeward'. The language is precise and fits the context well. There is a good level of flexibility in your word choice, which helps to convey the technical nature of the diagram accurately. No significant errors in word choice or collocation were noted, and the vocabulary is sufficiently sophisticated for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('resulting in rainfall', 'causing clouds to form') and subordinate clauses. Most sentences are error-free. There is one minor grammatical slip in the third paragraph: 'The air gradually cools and causing clouds to form', where the verb form 'causing' is redundant or incorrectly linked. However, this is a minor error that does not impede communication. Overall, the grammatical control is strong and varied.

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