Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-04

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 7.0)

The diagram provides information on the process of formation of a type of desert known as rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the formation process constitutes seven major steps beginning from sea wind approaching coast to dry winds reaching inland area. The whole process has various distinct stages where the physical appearance of air and water transform.

Initially, wind breeze approaches or flows towards the coast where it bumps into a mountain and is pushed up the slope. Air with significant amount of moisture rises and condenses to form clouds. Subsequently, these clouds accumulate, become heavy and cause precipitation on one side of the mountain called the Windward side.

Meanwhile dry air contiues to travel over the mountain and reaches the other side known as the Leeward side. Furthermore, this air continues to flow downwards until it ultimately reach the inland areas thousandsa of kilometers away from the coast forming of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, from the sea wind approaching the coast to the dry winds reaching inland areas. There is a clear overall overview provided in the second paragraph that summarises the progression of steps. Key features such as the windward side, mountain elevation, cloud formation, precipitation, and the leeward side are accurately reported and positioned. The ideas are adequately extended and supported, though the response tends to briefly summarize some stages rather than exploring every detail in depth. Overall, the information is well selected and grounded directly in the provided visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout the description of the process. Information is sequenced chronologically, matching the flow of the diagram from left to right. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and specific stages of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'Meanwhile', and 'Furthermore' are employed to guide the reader smoothly through the sequential steps, although slightly more variety in referencing could elevate the cohesion further. Every paragraph has a clear central topic, making the overall arrangement coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary sufficient for the task, successfully incorporating less common and process-specific items such as 'precipitation', 'condenses', 'moisture', and 'leeward side'. There are occasional awkward word choices or minor slips, such as 'thousandsa' (spelling error) and 'forming of rain-shadow desert' (missing article and preposition phrasing). While the vocabulary allows for some precision in describing geographical and meteorological concepts, these minor lexical and spelling inaccuracies prevent the response from achieving a higher band. However, communication of the scientific process remains clear throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response features a good variety of complex structures and a high frequency of error-free sentences. The writer demonstrates good control over grammar and punctuation, successfully utilizing relative clauses and participial phrases, such as 'known as rain-shadow desert' and 'air with significant amount of moisture rises'. A few minor errors persist, such as missing articles ('reaching inland area', 'forming of rain-shadow desert') and a subject-verb agreement slip ('ultimately reach' instead of 'reaches'). Nevertheless, these minor slips do not impede communication, and the overall grammatical control remains strong and appropriate for the level.

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