Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-03

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 given diagram depicts the typical working of a mechanical arm, it show how the joints present in a mechanical arm work analogously to the working of human joints that make up the arm.

The machine generally contains joints with a stationary base, though some of them have the base moveable. The entire apparatus is controlled with the the help of a computer which basically controls each of the joint with precision and accuracy.

The arm primarily consists of three joints - a shoulder, elbow, wrist mounted on top of the base. The base is directly connected with the shoulder joint which make the overall arm rise and fall, it is further aided by a pivot which makes it possible for the arm to rotate in any direction along with the up/down movement.

The shoulder joint is then connected with the elbow joint that allows additional flexibility and at the end is the wrist that allows the attached end-effector to flex or rotate as needed. The wrist joint is commonly attached with a gripper end-effector but alternatively one can attach different ones like a spray paint, drill hole or anything that gets the task done. All of the apparatus is run by the motors attached to the joints and the sensors on the end-effector, which are then controlled by the computer, just like a human brain controls the joints of 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 its components (base, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and end-effector) and the comparison to human anatomy. The information is presented clearly, and the comparison is well-integrated throughout the description. The overview is sufficient, and the key features are highlighted logically. To reach a higher band, the response could benefit from a more explicit summary of the mechanical process as a whole, perhaps by emphasizing the relationship between the computer control, the motors, and the resulting movement more cohesively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the general structure to specific joints and their functions. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, general description, and detailed mechanical breakdown. Cohesive devices such as 'further aided by', 'is then connected with', and 'at the end is' are used appropriately to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly repetitive, and the use of 'the the' in the second paragraph indicates a minor lapse in flow. Overall, the information is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for a technical description, using terms like 'analogously', 'apparatus', 'end-effector', and 'precision'. There is a sufficient range to convey the technical nature of the diagram. However, there are some instances of slightly awkward phrasing, such as 'drill hole' (which should be 'drill') and 'the the' (a repetition error). While the vocabulary is functional and accurate enough to describe the mechanical arm, it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would characterize a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'it show' instead of 'it shows', and 'shoulder, elbow, wrist mounted' which lacks a conjunction. Additionally, there are some punctuation issues, such as comma splices in the first and third paragraphs. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The writer demonstrates an ability to use complex structures, but control over these structures needs to be more consistent.

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

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