Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the process begins when moist air from the sea moves towards a mountain and ends with the formation of a dry desert on the other side of the mountain. Rain falls only on the windward side, while the leeward side remains dry because the air has lost most of its moisture.

At the first stage, winds carrying moist air approach the coast from the sea. As they reach the mountains, they are forced to rise up the windward side. While rising, the air cools, causing clouds to form. As the temperature continues to fall, the moisture in the clouds turns into rain, which falls on the windward slope.

After that, the air crosses the top of the mountain and moves down the leeward side. Since most of its moisture has already fallen as rain, the air becomes dry. It continues travelling across inland areas without producing any further rainfall. As a result, the land receives very little precipitation over a long distance, eventually leading to the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by providing a clear and accurate overview of the rain-shadow desert formation process. The main features, such as the initial moist air movement from the sea, the orographic lifting over the mountains, precipitation on the windward side, and the dry leeward conditions, are all clearly reported and well-selected. For instance, the transition from moisture-laden air to dry conditions is highlighted effectively in the overview and body paragraphs. The ideas are extended and supported logically throughout the progression of the steps, fulfilling the requirements for this band level comfortably.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The text demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are sequenced naturally from the beginning of the process at the sea to the final desert formation inland. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the introduction, overview, and individual stages into distinct, digestible sections. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'At the first stage', 'After that', and 'As a result' are used flexibly and effectively to guide the reader through the sequence without any mechanical feel, maintaining a smooth and coherent flow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision appropriate for an academic process description. Less common lexical items related to geographical processes, such as 'moisture-laden', 'orographic lifting', 'precipitation', 'windward slope', and 'leeward side', are attempted with a good awareness of style and collocation (e.g., 'moisture in the clouds turns into rain', 'land receives very little precipitation'). There are only occasional minor limitations, but the vocabulary allows the message to be communicated clearly and accurately throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms, showcasing frequent error-free sentences. Grammatical control is strong, demonstrated through accurate use of relative clauses, participle clauses ('As they reach the mountains, they are forced...', 'While rising, the air cools'), and prepositional phrases. Verb tenses are handled consistently and correctly in the present simple tense, which is standard for describing processes. Punctuation is also well-managed, contributing to clear readability with very few, if any, persistent errors.

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