Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-11

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 7.0)

The diagram represents how a rain-shadow desert is formed. The sea, mountains and wind play a major role in its formation. The process starts from the sea and eventually ends with the formation of a desert. Initially, winds approach the coast and push moist air upwards. As the air rises, it cools and reaches the windward side of the mountain, where water vapour condenses and forms clouds. At the top of the mountain, rainfall occurs because of the high altitude and low temperature. After this, the dry air continues over the mountain and moves towards the leeward side. As it descends, the air becomes warmer and drier. Finally, the dry winds reach the inland areas, resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert. These areas receive very little rainfall and therefore remain dry. Overall, the process shows how mountains and changing air conditions result in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have clearly described the sequence from the sea, through the mountain range, to the leeward side. The overview is present and effectively summarizes the core mechanism. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more explicit comparisons between the windward and leeward sides, perhaps by contrasting the moisture levels or the temperature changes more directly. While the information is accurate, the report is quite brief and could benefit from a slightly more detailed explanation of the atmospheric pressure changes or the specific nature of the 'dry' air mentioned in the final stages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the process depicted in the diagram. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'As the air rises', 'After this', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the stages. The paragraphing is appropriate for a short report, though the text is presented as a single block. While the flow is logical, the transition between the mountain peak and the leeward side could be even smoother with more sophisticated linking phrases. Overall, the information is easy to follow and the progression is clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'condenses', 'altitude', 'leeward', and 'inland'. These terms demonstrate a solid understanding of the subject matter. The language is natural and precise enough to convey the process clearly. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'formation' or 'result' to avoid repetition. For example, instead of repeating 'formation' multiple times, you could use 'development', 'creation', or 'phenomenon'. The current vocabulary is sufficient for the task but lacks the 'less common' items that would push the score into the 8.0+ range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You effectively use subordinate clauses, such as 'As the air rises, it cools...' and '...resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'moist air is forced upwards') or more advanced conditional or participial phrases to add variety to your sentence construction.

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