Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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 one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Overall, it is a cyclical process consisting of several stages. It begins with moist air coming from the sea and rising over the mountains. The air then cools and forms clouds, which produce rainfall on the windward side of the mountains. After losing most of its moisture, the dry air moves towards the leeward side, creating a rain-shadow desert.

Initially, winds approach the coast and are pushed upwards towards the sky. As a result, the moist air rises and cools, eventually forming clouds. Following this process, rain falls over both sides of the mountain, particularly on the windward side.

Simultaneously, the dry air continues over the mountains towards the inland areas. After crossing the mountains, the dry winds reach the inland region and create a rain-shadow area. This area becomes a desert because it receives very little rainfall. In addition, the distance between the sea and the desert can be thousands of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student successfully covers all the key stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process shown in the diagram. The response starts with an appropriate overview stating that it is a cyclical/sequential process involving moist air rising over mountains and creating a desert on the leeward side. Key features such as the sea, the windward side, clouds, precipitation, mountains, and the rain-shadow desert are all accurately reported. The spatial relationships and sequence of events (winds approaching the coast, pushed upwards, cooling, forming clouds, rain falling, and dry air continuing inland) are correctly identified and described. The student also notes the horizontal scale mentioned in the diagram ('thousands of kilometres'). Overall, the task is fully addressed with well-selected main features, meeting the Band 8 criteria.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with clear progression from the introduction through the main body paragraphs. Each paragraph focuses on a distinct phase or aspect of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'It begins with', 'Initially', 'As a result', 'Following this process', and 'Simultaneously' are used effectively to guide the reader through the sequence. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed body points. Referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information matches the visual steps of the process diagram, demonstrating strong coherence and cohesion deserving of a Band 8 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary relevant to the visual data, including terms like 'cyclical process', 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'precipitation', and 'rain-shadow desert'. There is an attempt to use less common lexical items ('simultaneously', 'eventually', 'inland region'). Word choice and collocation are generally accurate, although some phrasing is slightly repetitive (e.g., 'dry air', 'dry winds', 'mountains'). Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, supporting clear communication and fitting the Band 7 descriptor well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, such as participle clauses ('After losing most of its moisture...') and subordinate clauses ('As a result, the moist air rises...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is strong throughout the response. Punctuation is accurate, and verb tenses (mostly present simple for describing a process) are handled consistently and correctly. Minor slips are virtually absent, showing a high level of accuracy that meets the requirements for a Band 8.

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

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