Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-21
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 7.5)
The diagram illustrates how a mechanical arm functions, highlighting how its structural joints mimic human anatomy under computerized control.
Overall, the robotic system relies on a central computer to regulate three individual motors. These motors operate a jointed assembly—analogous to a human shoulder, elbow, and wrist—to maneuver functional end-effectors at the tip.
The system is mounted on a base, which is usually stationary but occasionally movable, featuring a pivot mechanism that enables rotation. The arm's articulation relies on three key joints designed to replicate biological movement:
Shoulder: Controls vertical motion by raising and lowering the arm structure.
Elbow: Grants flexibility and articulated movement along the arm.
Wrist: Enables the terminal tool to flex and rotate during operation.
At the end of the limb, a standard gripper uses integrated sensors to detect and control applied force. For versatility, this gripper can be substituted with alternative end-effectors, such as a spray paint unit, a drill, or a welding tool.
Key Band 7 Features Used:
Advanced Vocabulary: articulation, movement along, integrated sensors, terminal tool, versatile, analogous.
Varied Complex Structures: Uses passive voice (is mounted, can be substituted) and relative clauses (which is usually stationary...).
Clear Cohesion: Uses logical transition markers (Overall, At the end of the limb, For versatility) to ensure seamless flow.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively summarizes the mechanical arm's function and successfully draws comparisons to human anatomy. You have clearly identified the main features, such as the central computer, the three-jointed assembly, and the interchangeable end-effectors. The inclusion of specific examples like the spray paint unit and the drill demonstrates a good understanding of the diagram. The information is well-selected and presented in a logical manner, covering all parts of the task. The inclusion of a meta-commentary section at the end is unnecessary for the task itself, but the core analysis is accurate and well-developed, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary of the end-effectors. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the overall system control to the specific joints and finally the end-effectors. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'At the end of the limb', and 'For versatility' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different functional components of the arm. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the mechanical parts and their human counterparts is clearly articulated throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is appropriate for a technical description. Words such as 'analogous', 'articulation', 'terminal tool', and 'maneuver' are used with precision. The collocation 'integrated sensors' and 'computerized control' shows a strong grasp of technical terminology. There is a clear awareness of style, and the vocabulary choice is consistently accurate. While the meta-commentary at the end is not part of the report, the language used within the report itself is of a high standard, showing flexibility and control over less common lexical items.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response exhibits a wide range of complex structures, including passive voice ('is mounted', 'can be substituted') and relative clauses ('which is usually stationary'). The sentences are generally error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The grammatical control is strong, with a variety of sentence types that contribute to a professional and academic tone. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the majority of the sentences are complex and well-constructed, demonstrating a high level of grammatical accuracy throughout the report.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.
