Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23
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 rain-shadow deserts form, from the movement of moist air from the sea to the creation of a dry inland region on the opposite side of a mountain range.
Overall, the process begins when winds carrying moisture from the sea are forced upwards by a mountain, causing rainfall on the windward side. The air then becomes dry and travels down the other side before moving further inland, eventually creating desert conditions.
The process starts when winds approach the coast from the sea and carry moisture with them. As these winds reach the mountain, they are forced upwards, causing the moist air to rise and cool on the windward side. As a result, clouds form and rainfall occurs on the mountain slopes. After losing most of its moisture, the air continues over the mountain peak and reaches the leeward side. At this point, the air is much drier and begins to move down the slope. It then travels across the land towards the inland region. Because this area receives very little rainfall, it gradually becomes extremely dry. Consequently, a rain-shadow desert is formed far from the coast on the opposite side of the mountain range.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and successfully reporting the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process from the sea to the inland region. Key geographical features such as the windward side, mountain range, leeward side, and the rain-shadow desert itself are correctly identified and situated in relation to one another. The summary is accurate, well-grounded in the visual data, and avoids unnecessary minor details while capturing the essential cause-and-effect relationships depicted in the diagram. This performance aligns comfortably with Band 7.5 to 8.0, showcasing a well-developed response with only rare minor omissions.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The student makes effective use of a traditional introduction, an overarching summary paragraph, and a detailed body paragraph that tracks the sequential steps of the diagram step by step. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'As these winds reach', 'After losing most of its moisture', 'At this point', and 'Consequently' are used naturally to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing throughout the text remains clear and precise. This meets the criteria for Band 8.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.0
The vocabulary used is appropriate and sufficiently wide for an academic task of this nature. The student successfully integrates less common lexical items and technical terms relevant to the topic, such as 'moisture', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'precipitation equivalent phrasing', and 'desert conditions'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate (e.g., 'forced upwards', 'losing most of its moisture', 'gradually becomes extremely dry'). While there are no highly sophisticated or daring lexical choices that would push this into the highest band, the range is fluent and flexible enough to meet Band 7.5/8.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The writing exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including participial phrases ('carrying moisture from the sea', 'After losing most of its moisture') and subordinate clauses ('As these winds reach the mountain', 'Because this area receives very little rainfall'). The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating strong control over grammar, punctuation, and tense consistency. Minor imperfections are practically non-existent, and the grammatical range fully supports the clear communication of scientific and geographical processes. This merits a solid Band 8.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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