The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.
Sample Response
The diagramflow chart illustrates the seven-step process through which a particular desert type known as a rain-shadow desert, develops.develops, known as a rain-shadow desert. Overall, the formation of this desert involves seven sequential stages. Beginning with oceanic winds reaching the coastline, the whole process concludes with the emergence of dry inland desert land. The entire sequence can be categorised into three key phases: cloud formation, mountain precipitation, and inlandmountain precipitation and inland desertification. Initially, winds carrying abundant water vapour blow from the sea towards the coast. When they encounter a mountain range, moist air is compelled to rise along windward slopes. Cooling at increased altitudes triggers air condensation, resulting in the build-up of clouds, followed by rainfall over the windward side and peaksover mountain summits. Once precipitation takes place, much of the moisture is lost. DryDehydrated air flows over the mountain peaks and arrives on the leeward side. As these moisture-depleted winds advance deeper inland, there is no available water vapour. Under such dry conditions, a rain-shadow desert gradually takes shape inland regions across thousands of kilometres.in inland regions.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response presents an exceptionally clear and accurate description of the process, featuring a well-structured overview and precise sequential reporting. Natural, precise vocabulary and sophisticated grammatical structures are used seamlessly throughout the summary. To improve further, incorporating the scale element shown at the bottom of the diagram would ensure completely comprehensive task coverage.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All seven stages of the desert formation process are reported accurately alongside a clear, effective overview.
Explicitly mention key visual details like the scale showing the process spans thousands of kilometres to make the coverage fully detailed.
Coherence and Cohesion
The overview and paragraph structure flow logically, using appropriate sequencing markers to track the stages cleanly.
Maintain this high standard by continuing to group process stages into logical thematic phases.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of precise geography and process terminology is used with high natural accuracy.
Continue using topic-specific vocabulary accurately while varying lexical choices where possible.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar and sentence structures are varied, flexible, and completely error-free.
Sustain this level of structural variety, such as complex passive structures and participle clauses, in future writing.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.