Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-20

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 moves from the sea across a mountain range.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages. It begins when winds approach the coast and ends when dry winds reach inland areas, resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert. Rainfall occurs on the windward side of the mountains, while the leeward side remains dry.

Initially, winds approach the coast from the sea and are pushed upwards when they reach the mountains. As the moist air rises it cools, causing clouds to form on the windward side. The clouds then produce rainfall over the mountain.

After the raainfall, the air continues over the mountain towards the leeward side. At the stage, the air is dry and moves down the opposite side of the mountain. Finally these dry winds reach the inland areas, where a rain-shadow desert forms. The daigram also indicates that this process takes place over a distance of thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the prompt by accurately summarising the multi-step process of rain-shadow desert formation. The response selects and reports all main features depicted in the diagram, such as moist air rising on the windward side, cooling to form clouds and rainfall, dry air crossing the mountain, and dry winds reaching inland areas. Important details like the horizontal scale of 'thousands of kilometres' are also correctly incorporated. The overview effectively captures the scope of the process from start to finish. There are no missing details or inaccurate data points, demonstrating an accurate and comprehensive reading of the visual stimulus.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The text is logically organised with a clear progression from introduction to overview, body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps, and a concluding mention of scale. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each stage of the process logically grouped. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'The clouds then', and 'After the raainfall' are employed naturally to guide the reader through the linear stages of the diagram. Referencing is clear throughout, and the overall arrangement flows smoothly without mechanical or intrusive transitions.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary relevant to geographical processes, using terms such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'moist air', and 'inland areas'. While the vocabulary is largely standard rather than advanced, it is handled with precision and communicates the meaning clearly. There are a couple of minor spelling errors ('raainfall', 'daigram'), but these are isolated slips that do not impede understanding. The vocabulary deployed successfully conveys all necessary technical concepts of the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The diagram illustrates the process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed as moist air moves from the sea...' and 'As the moist air rises it cools, causing clouds to form...'. The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, with good control over tense and punctuation. Minor mechanical errors like the spelling slips do not detract from the overall grammatical control, and complex structures are handled with reasonable flexibility.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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