Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-15

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, over a mountain range, and into inland areas.

Overall, the process involves seven stages. Moist air rises on the windward side of the mountains, where it cools and produces clouds and rainfall. In contrast, the leeward side receives very little precipitation because the air becomes dry, resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Initially, winds approach the coast from the sea and are pushed upwards as they encounter the mountains. As the moist air rises on the windward side, it cools. This cooling causes clouds to form, followed by rainfall on this side of the mountain. Consequently, the windward side is relatively wetter.

After crossing the mountain peak, the now-dry air descend on the leeward side. It continues inland without producing significant rainfall. Eventually, these dry winds reach the inland areas, where the lack of precipitation create a rain-shadow desert, which can extend for thousands of kilometres.

In comparison, the windward side is cool, cloudy and wet, whereas the leeward side is dry and receives little or no rainfall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student covers all key parts of the task well, providing an accurate summary of the diagram illustrating rain-shadow desert formation. The response successfully identifies the main stages, starting from moist winds approaching the coast, rising and cooling over the windward side, producing precipitation, and finally continuing as dry air to form a desert on the leeward inland side. An appropriate overview is included, highlighting the contrast between the wet windward side and the dry leeward side, and key spatial relationships like 'thousands of kilometres' are incorporated effectively. The content is fully grounded in the visual data without significant omissions, satisfying the requirements for a Band 8 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

Information and ideas are logically sequenced throughout the response, guiding the reader smoothly from the initial stages of wind movement to the ultimate formation of the desert. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with a clear introduction, an overall summary paragraph, and separate body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After crossing', and 'In comparison' are managed well to establish clear progression and relationships between ideas, although a slight redundancy occurs in the final comparison paragraph. Overall, the organizational structure is clear and effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate lexical range for the task, successfully employing less common vocabulary such as 'precipitation', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, matching the academic context well. There is one minor grammatical-lexical slip where the verb form 'create' does not match its subject ('the lack of precipitation create'), but this does not impede communication. The vocabulary allows for accurate and fluent reporting of the process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response features a good variety of complex structures, such as participial clauses ('as moist air moves', 'resulting in the formation') and subordinate clauses ('as they encounter the mountains'). The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating sound control of grammar and punctuation. There is a single minor subject-verb agreement error ('the lack of precipitation create' instead of 'creates') and a missing inflection ('air descend' instead of 'descends'), but these errors are infrequent and do not impede the reader's understanding. Control over grammar is strong overall.

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