The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.
Sample Response
The diagram depicts the seven stage meteorological process that generates a rain shadow desert, a landscape forming over an expanse spanning thousands of kilometres from the coast. Overall, the formation of rain shadow deserts is a linear seven stage process, which can be broadly divided into two major phases. Beginning 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 towards the coastline; upon encounteringcoastline. Upon encountering a mountain range, these air currents are forced upwardsupward. As the moist air ascends and cools at higher altitudeselevations, condensation occurs and clouds develop, which subsequently release precipitation over the windward side of the mountain. Having shed most of its moisture through precipitation, the dry air mass crosses the peak of the mountainmountain crest and descends the leeward slope. Devoid of water vapour, this parched wind continues its journey further inlandin the inland area for thousands of kilometres inland.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 presents a clear and accurate summary of the diagram, highlighting all key stages in logical order with sophisticated vocabulary and flawless grammar. Every step of the formation process is fully addressed with appropriate technical language and seamless paragraph transitions. To maintain this elite standard, ensure that compound modifiers like 'seven-stage' are consistently hyphenated.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response fully satisfies the task requirements by logically grouping and thoroughly describing all seven numbered stages from the visual diagram.
Continue providing concise, well-structured overviews that categorize diagram stages into clear thematic phases.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing and cohesive devices are used seamlessly to sequence the process naturally from the ocean origin to the inland desert.
Maintain this level of logical progression and varied transitional phrasing in future process descriptions.
Lexical Resource
A wide, precise range of vocabulary is used naturally to describe meteorological phenomena without repetition.
Keep expanding domain-specific terminology to maintain precise topic vocabulary across diverse prompt types.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Sentence structures show wide variety and advanced grammatical control with no errors throughout the text.
Consistently apply hyphens to compound modifiers preceding nouns, such as in 'seven-stage process'.
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.