Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-23

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates how a mechanical arm operates and shows how its joints function in a similar way to those of a human arm.

Overall, the mechanical arm is controlled by a computer and three motors, which allow it to move in different directions. The arm also contains joints and sensors that perform functions similar to those of the human shoulder, elbow and wrist.

The process begins with a computer that provides precise control to three motors. The first motor controls the elbow, allowing the arm to move and perform different movements. The second motor is connected to the main arm and helps it to move forwards and backwards. The third motor operates the gripper of the arm. the gripper is fitted with sensors that provide control over the force used to control objects.

In addition. the mechanical arm has several joints. The pivot joints allows arm to rotate, while another joint enables movement to similar to that of a human elbow. The gripper at the end functions like a human hand because it can hold and release objects. Overall, the mechanical components work together to reproduce several movements normally performed by a human arm.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the mechanical arm, including the role of the computer, motors, and joints. You have effectively compared the mechanical components to human anatomical counterparts, such as the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that all parts of the diagram are described with equal detail; for instance, the specific function of the sensors could be elaborated upon further to show a deeper understanding of the mechanism. Overall, the response covers the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. You use cohesive devices such as 'The process begins with', 'In addition', and 'while' to link ideas. However, there are some minor issues with punctuation and sentence structure that slightly disrupt the flow, such as the sentence fragment 'In addition.' and the lowercase 'the' at the start of a sentence in the third paragraph. Improving the consistency of your punctuation and ensuring that cohesive devices are used correctly will help the text flow more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'mechanical arm', 'precise control', 'pivot joints', and 'reproduce'. The language is generally appropriate for a technical description. There are some minor errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'movement to similar to that of a human elbow', which is slightly awkward. To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical collocations and ensure that your phrasing is consistently natural. The current range is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'The pivot joints allows' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'movement to similar to' (prepositional error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of periods where commas or semicolons would be more appropriate. Despite these errors, the meaning is never obscured, and the reader can easily follow the description. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and proofreading for punctuation errors will help improve your score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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