The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.
Sample Response
The diagram depicts the physical and meteorological stagesthe seven‑stage meteorological process that generates a rain‑shadow desert, a landscape that typically forms thousands of kilometres inland from the coastforming over an expanse spanning thousands of kilometres from the coast.
Overall, the formation of rain‑shadow deserts is a step-by-step natural cyclelinear seven‑stage process, which can be broadly divided into two major phases. While the first phase begins with moist air blowing in from the sea andBeginning with moist winds arriving from the ocean, the first phase produces rainfall on windward mountain slopes, whereas the second phase involves moisture‑free air travelling inland and ultimately creating arid desert terrain.
Initially, humid air currents travel from the sea toward the coasttowards the coastline. Upon encountering a mountain range, these air currents are forced upward. As the moist air ascends and cools at higher elevations, condensation occurs and clouds form, which subsequently produce rainfallclouds develop, which subsequently release precipitation over the windward side of the mountain.
Having lost almost all of its moisture as rain,Having shed most of its moisture through precipitation, the dry air mass crosses the mountain crest and descends along the leeward slopedescends the leeward slope. Devoid of water vapour, these dry windsthis parched wind continues its journey into inland areas over thousands of kilometresin the inland area across thousands of kilometres. With no moisture left to generate precipitation, dry environmental conditions prevail, and a rain‑shadow desert emerges.
Why this response received Band 9.0
The response provides an exceptionally clear and accurate description of all seven stages of the diagram, featuring an effective overview and excellent logical structure. Precise academic vocabulary and sophisticated grammatical structures are used seamlessly throughout the response. To maintain this high standard, continue practicing under timed conditions with varied visual prompts.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All seven stages depicted in the process diagram are accurately identified, detailed, and framed with a clear overview.
Maintain this thorough approach by ensuring all key labels and numerical sequences in process diagrams are fully accounted for.
Coherence and Cohesion
The overview and paragraph structures flow logically with sophisticated, effortless transitions between each phase of the process.
Continue using a variety of cohesive devices to maintain smooth paragraph transitions without over-reliance on explicit sequence markers.
Lexical Resource
An extensive range of precise, task-appropriate vocabulary is used naturally and correctly throughout the response.
Keep building domain-specific academic vocabulary for less common diagram types, such as industrial or life cycles.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide variety of complex sentence structures, including participial clauses and passive forms, are used with total accuracy.
Sustain this level of grammatical precision and flexibility across longer writing tasks under timed conditions.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
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.