Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 when moist air passes over a mountain range.

Overall, the process consists of several stages, beginning with moist air approaching a mountain range and ending with the formation of a dry desert on the opposite side. The side facing the prevailing wind receives considerable rainfall, whereas the leeward side remains dry because most of the moisture has been lost.

Initially, moist air from the sea is carried towards a mountain range by prevailing winds. As the air reaches the mountains, it is forced to rise. As it rises to a higher altitude, the air cools and water vapour condenses, resulting in the formation of clouds. Eventually, precipitation occurs on the windward side of the mountains, causing this area to receive a relatively large amount of rainfall.

After crossing the mountain peak, the air moves down the opposite, or leeward, side. During this descent, it becomes warmer and drier. Since most of the moisture has already fallen as rain on the windward side, there is little precipitation on the leeward side. Consequently, the area behind the mountain range receives very little rainfall and becomes extremely dry, eventually forming a rain-shadow desert.

Thus, the mountain range acts as a barrier that causes rainfall on one side and creates a dry rain-shadow region on t

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student provides a clear and well-developed overview of the process of rain-shadow desert formation, covering all the key stages shown in the diagram from the moist air approaching the coast to the creation of the desert inland. Key features such as the windward side, mountain barrier, leeward side, and precipitation differences are accurately reported and compared. The response is fully grounded in the provided visual data without introducing irrelevant outside information. Although the text ends abruptly with an incomplete sentence ("Thus, the mountain range acts as a barrier that causes rainfall on one side and creates a dry rain-shadow region on t"), the main body successfully addresses all parts of the task with a clear overview and logical progression.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The text is logically organised with a clear overall progression from the introduction of the process through the individual stages to the final outcome. Paragraphing is used effectively, separating the introduction and overview from the sequential steps of the process. Cohesive devices are handled well, using appropriate transitional phrases such as 'Initially', 'As the air reaches', 'After crossing', and 'Consequently' to guide the reader through the explanation. Referencing is clear throughout the body paragraphs, ensuring the relationships between the different geographical features and climatic events are easily followed, although the abrupt cutoff at the very end slightly affects the final transitional flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a wide and appropriate vocabulary range suited to an academic process description. Less common lexical items are used naturally and with good control, including terms such as 'condensation', 'precipitation', 'prevailing winds', 'altitude', and 'leeward side'. Collocations and word choices are generally accurate (e.g., 'water vapour condenses', 'mountain range acts as a barrier'). There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, reflecting a strong command of lexical resources appropriate for Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures, incorporating participial phrases ('resulting in the formation of clouds', 'causing this area to receive') and subordinate clauses ('As the air reaches the mountains', 'Since most of the moisture has already fallen'). Grammatical control is strong throughout the body of the text, with the vast majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is handled well, and verb tenses are consistently and appropriately used for describing a natural process. Despite the incomplete ending, the grammatical structures used prior to that point demonstrate high accuracy and flexibility.

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