The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.
Sample Response
The diagram depicts the seven-stageseven‑step meteorologicalgeological process that generates a rain‑shadow desert, a landscape that stretches thousands of kilometres inland from the coast.
Overall, rain‑shadow deserts originate when sea‑borne moist winds encounter a mountain barrier. Heavy precipitation falls on the windward mountain slopes, while the drydesiccated air moving down the leeward side advances far inland, giving rise to arid desert terrain.
Initially, moisture‑laden winds travel from the sea towards the coastline. Upon encounteringcolliding with a mountain range, these air currents are forced upward. As the moist air ascends and cools at higher elevations, condensation occurs and clouds develop, which subsequently discharge rainfall over the windward side of the mountainwindward mountain face.
Having shed most of its moisture through precipitation, the dry air mass crosses the mountain crest and descends the leeward slope. Devoid of water vapour, this parched wind continues its journey deep into inland areas over thousands of kilometresinterior regions 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 essay is an exceptionally strong response that fully describes all seven stages of the desert formation process with complete accuracy and clarity. The writing features a clear overall summary, effortless logical sequencing, sophisticated topic vocabulary, and error-free complex grammar. To maintain this elite standard, ensure that future process responses remain equally concise without adding extraneous detail.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response presents a fully developed overview and accurately details every stage of the diagram without any missing or incorrect data.
Continue using this systematic approach to ensure all key features and stages are captured in future visual descriptions.
Coherence and Cohesion
The information is logically organized into well-structured paragraphs with seamless cohesive devices and natural transitions throughout.
Maintain this high standard of paragraphing and smooth transitional phrasing across different visual task types.
Lexical Resource
An extensive range of precise, sophisticated vocabulary and topic-specific terms is used naturally and appropriately.
Keep building specialized lexical items for less common diagram themes such as manufacturing or natural lifecycles.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide variety of complex grammatical structures, including participial phrases and compound-complex sentences, is used with total accuracy.
Sustain this level of grammatical flexibility and precision when describing more intricate multi-chart tasks.
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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.