Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-04

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 5.0)

The diagram depicts the components and function of a mechanical arm works.

Overall, the machine consists of three main motors, which work together to work as a human arm. The main parts include computer,gripper,elbow and shoulder.

The computer is connected to three motors and is responsible for three different purpose

One motor is connected to shoulder which is responsible for moving the arm upwards or downwards. In addition, pivot allows the arm to rotate how the human arm functions.

The second motor also plays a role in providing the movement and giving flexibility to the machine it is known as elbow. Meanwhile, wrist is used to allow gripper to rotate freely. Finally, motor three can be used for gripper i.e a built-in sensors to control force.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the student identifies the main components of the mechanical arm, the description is underdeveloped and lacks a comprehensive overview of how the joints function in comparison to human anatomy. The explanation of the motors and their specific roles is fragmented, and the summary lacks the necessary detail to fully address the prompt. To improve, the student should expand on the mechanical processes and ensure all parts of the diagram are described with sufficient depth to meet the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into short paragraphs, but the flow of ideas is disjointed. While there is an attempt to use cohesive devices like 'In addition', 'Meanwhile', and 'Finally', the transitions between sentences feel mechanical and sometimes illogical. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the abrupt shift between the computer's role and the specific motor functions. The paragraphing is present but does not effectively group related information, making the overall progression of the report feel somewhat fragmented. Improved use of linking words and better sentence-to-sentence connectivity would enhance the logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, with several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'responsible for three different purpose' (should be 'purposes') and 'work together to work as a human arm'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying heavily on simple nouns and verbs. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or precise technical terminology related to the diagram. To achieve a higher band, the student should focus on using more precise verbs and descriptive adjectives to explain the mechanical functions and avoid repeating the same words in close proximity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('the computer', 'the gripper'), subject-verb agreement, and pluralization, such as 'responsible for three different purpose'. The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they often contain errors, such as the run-on sentence: 'The second motor also plays a role in providing the movement and giving flexibility to the machine it is known as elbow.' Increasing the variety of sentence structures and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy is essential.

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.