How do you describe a natural process diagram in IELTS Writing Task 1?

In this episode, I walk you step by step through a Task 1 diagram showing the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

You'll learn how to:

🌧️ identify the key stages before you start writing
🏔️ organise a natural process logically
🔗 show cause and effect clearly
✍️ use linking words and participle clauses to connect stages
👀 select the important details without adding information that isn't shown
📝 write a clear introduction, overview and description

This is a useful example because natural processes can look complicated at first, but once you break the diagram into manageable stages, they become much easier to describe.

The full lesson is included in my IELTS Writing course, my IELTS Resource Library, and in my Task 1 Extension Course: Maps, Cycles and Processes.

Task 1 Extension Course: Maps, Cycles and Processes

Key vocabulary

🌬️ moist = containing water or moisture
moist air

⬆️ rise = move upwards
Moist air rises.

❄️ cool = become colder
The air rises and cools.

☁️ form = develop or be created
Clouds form.

🌧️ rainfall = the amount of rain that falls
There is heavy rainfall on the windward side.

🏔️ windward = the side facing the wind
the windward side of the mountain

🏜️ leeward = the side sheltered from the wind
the leeward side of the mountain

➡️ inland = away from the coast
Dry winds reach inland areas.

🔗 consequently = as a result
The air loses its moisture. Consequently, it becomes drier.

🔄 result in = cause something to happen
This results in very little rainfall.