Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24

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 thme process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed on the leeward side of a mountain.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages,beginning with winds approaching the coasts and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas and creating a rain-shadow desert.

Initially, moist winds approach the coast from the sea. These winds are then pushed upwards as they reach the mountain. As the air rises along the windward side, it becomes cooler. Cosequently, clouds from and eventually produce rainfall on this side of the mountain.

After the rain falls, the air continues to move over the mountain towards the leeward side. At this point, the air becomes dry and descends down the mountain. The dry winds then continue towards inland areas, As there is very little moisture remaining in the air, these areas receive little or no rainfall.As a result,a dry region known as a rain-shadow desert develops on the leeward side of the mountain.

Thus,the diagram demonstrate how mountains can cause rainfall on one side while creating a dry desert environment on the opposite side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The student successfully covers all key features of the diagram, accurately detailing the process of rain-shadow desert formation from the initial moist winds approaching the coast to the final dry conditions inland. The overview at the beginning and end of the text effectively summarises the main trends and stages shown in the visual data. The progression of the seven stages is correctly identified and logically reported without omitting crucial steps.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response is logically organised into distinct paragraphs that follow the chronological stages of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'As the air rises', 'After the rain falls', and 'As a result' are used effectively to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body steps, and concluding overview, ensuring clear logical progression throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a scientific process, using terms like 'moist winds', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'descends down'. However, there are a few minor lexical and spelling slips, such as 'thme' instead of 'the', and 'from' instead of 'form' in 'clouds from'. Despite these occasional errors, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writing features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses of time and cause ('As the air rises along the windward side, it becomes cooler'). Punctuation and spacing errors are present, such as missing spaces after commas ('ending with', 'initial stages,beginning', 'areas, As'), but these do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are grammatically sound and clearly structured.

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

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