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 when moist air passes over a mountain range.

Overall, the process consists of several stages, beginning with warm, moist air approaching a mountain and ending with dry conditions on the opposite side, where a desert develops. The windward side of the mountain receives substantial rainfall, whereas the leeward side remains dry. Initially, warm and moist air moves towards the mountain range. As the air rises along the windward slope, it becomes cooler. Consequently, the moisture in the air condenses and forms clouds, which produce heavy rainfall on this side of the mountain. After losing much of its moisture, the air continues over the mountain peak and starts descending down the opposite, or leeward, slope. As it moves downwards, the air becomes warmer and its relative humidity decreases. This prevents significant cloud formation and rainfall. As a result, the area on the leeward side receives very little precipitation. Over time, the lack of rainfall creates extremely dry conditions, leading to the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by clearly outlining the complete process of how a rain-shadow desert is formed. You have provided a clear overview that captures the main stages—from moist air approaching the mountain range to the creation of dry conditions on the leeward side. Key features such as the contrast between the wet windward slope and the arid leeward side are well-selected and reported accurately, matching the visual data closely. Your ideas are well-supported and extended logically throughout the text. To reach an even higher standard, you could ensure that subtle transitional details or micro-stages from the diagram are explored with maximum depth, presenting a fully rounded treatment of every single step without relying on any generalization.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Your writing demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression from the introduction to the final conclusion. The response opens with a strong introductory sentence and an effective overview statement. You make good use of cohesive devices to guide the reader through the sequential steps of the diagram, using transition words like 'Initially', 'As', 'Consequently', and 'As a result' to connect ideas smoothly. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, with the overarching ideas unified within a cohesive flow. To push towards the highest level of cohesion, you could ensure that cohesive ties are entirely natural and unobtrusive, avoiding any mechanical feel in how the transitional phrases link consecutive sentences together.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

You have demonstrated a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for this academic task, employing less common items with good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'substantial rainfall', 'relative humidity', and 'precipitation'. Word choices are generally precise and effectively convey the scientific nature of the process described. Minor errors in word choice are virtually absent, and your spelling is accurate throughout. To achieve an even higher band, you could integrate a broader variety of sophisticated, less common lexical items and precise scientific terminology with absolute flexibility, ensuring that every descriptive noun and verb sounds entirely natural and native-like.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

You exhibit excellent control over your grammatical structures, using a wide range of complex sentence forms with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, featuring well-constructed subordinate clauses ('As the air rises along the windward slope, it becomes cooler') and participial phrases. Punctuation is handled securely, and verb tenses are managed consistently to describe a continuous process. To maintain this high standard or reach the absolute top tier, ensure that even the most complex syntactic arrangements remain entirely free of minor slips, maintaining flawless punctuation and agreement across all compound-complex sentences.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.