Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13

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 process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed as moist air travels from the sea, across a mountain range and towards inland areas.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages. Moist air from the sea is forced upwards when it reaches the mountains, where it cools and forms clouds. Rain then falls mainly on the windward side of the mountains. As the air passes over the peak and descends on the leeward side, it becomes dry, eventually creating a rain-shadow desert in the inland region.

Initially, winds carrying moist air approach the coast from the sea. When these winds encounter the mountain range, they are pushed upwards along the windward slope. As the moist air rises, it gradually cools, which causes clouds to form above the mountain. Once sufficient clouds have developed, rainfall occurs on the windward side. Consequently, this side of the mountain receives considerably more precipitation than the area beyond it.

After the rainfall, the remaining air continues over the mountain towards the leeward side. Having lost much of its moisture, the air becomes increasingly dry as it descends. These dry winds then continue inland over thousands of kilometres. Since little or no rainfall reaches this region, the land on the leeward side becomes extremely dry, resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Thus, the key difference between the two sides of the mountain is that the windward side receives substantial rainfall, whereas the leeward side receives dry air and very little precipitation, creating desert conditions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully covers all parts of the task by providing a clear, accurate summary of the diagram illustrating rain-shadow desert formation. The overview effectively captures the main stages, and subsequent paragraphs detail the progression from moist air travelling from the sea, rising over the mountain range, causing rainfall on the windward side, and eventually creating dry conditions on the leeward side. Key comparisons regarding precipitation levels between the windward and leeward sides are well highlighted. Ideas are well developed and supported without any unnecessary repetition or omission, demonstrating a strong understanding of the visual information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The information is logically sequenced with a clear overall progression that guides the reader seamlessly through the cyclical stages shown in the diagram. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs examining distinct phases of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Consequently', 'After the rainfall', and 'Thus' are managed naturally and flexibly, ensuring that relationships between ideas are explicitly clear. Referencing is consistently accurate throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary used is wide, fluent, and appropriate for an academic report on a natural process. The student demonstrates a strong command of less common items and specialized collocations relevant to geography and meteorology, such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'precipitation', and 'rain-shadow desert'. Word choice and collocations are used with precision, and there are no notable lexical errors that impede communication. The range deployed successfully allows for natural and precise description of the stages.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide range of structures, employing both simple and complex sentences with a high degree of accuracy. Complex sentences containing subordinate clauses (e.g., 'As the moist air rises, it gradually cools, which causes clouds to form above the mountain') are handled very well. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and any punctuation or grammatical mechanics are controlled adeptly. There are only occasional minor slips that never impede communication, indicating a strong mastery of grammar suitable for an upper-level band score.

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