Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-07-26

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how a mechanical arm works, and how the joints that make up the arm function in the same way as those in a human arm. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

The figure illustrates the working of a mechanical arm and the similarity of the joints that make up the arm's function to that of a human arm.

Overall, the mechanical arm consists of a base, which helps balance the counterweight; the pivot, which allows the arm to rotate in different ways; and the wrist, which allows the gripper to rotate freely.

Firstly, the base helps keep the whole setup steady and prevent from falling. The shoulder, placed directly above the base, helps elevate or lower the arm. The pivot helps the arm to rotate freely in any direction. The elbow enables the movement of the arm or enhances flexibility.

Additionally, the gripper provided at the end of the arm has built-in sensors to control force. Motors are provided at the shoulder, elbow, and gripper. The alternative end-effectors include spray painting, drilling holes, and welding metal. The precision control of motors is vital for the operation of a computer.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the mechanical arm, including the base, joints, and end-effectors. However, the task specifically asks to report on how the joints function in the same way as a human arm. While you mention the joints, you do not explicitly explain the comparison or the functional similarity between the mechanical and human components (e.g., shoulder/elbow/wrist analogies). The final sentence regarding 'operation of a computer' is slightly off-topic as it is not clearly supported by the provided diagram. To improve, ensure you explicitly link the mechanical parts to their human counterparts as requested in the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction and body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Firstly' and 'Additionally' to transition between ideas. However, the progression between the description of the arm parts and the list of end-effectors is somewhat abrupt. The paragraphing is sufficient, but the flow could be improved by using more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the mechanical functions to the human comparison mentioned in the introduction. Overall, the information is easy to follow, but the cohesion is somewhat mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'counterweight', 'end-effectors', and 'precision control'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'prevent from falling' (should be 'prevent it from falling') and 'alternative end-effectors' (which is slightly imprecise in this context). You have attempted to use technical terminology, which is appropriate for this task. To reach a higher band, focus on more precise collocations and ensure that technical terms are used in the correct context to enhance clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'prevent from falling' and 'the similarity of the joints... to that of a human arm' (which is slightly awkward). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading. You have used some complex structures, but they are not always perfectly controlled. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences will help improve your score in this criterion.

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