Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-05

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 diagram illustrates how a mechanical arm function, and how the joints that make up the arm works similarly to those in a human arm.

Overall, it has a base, shoulder, pivot and a gripper which are controlled by a motor. Additionally, a computer is used to control the motors.

The base is usually stationary or occasionally movable, and is attached to the shoulder which raises or lowers the mechanical arm. The pivot enables the arm to rotate just like the ball and socket joint in a human arm. The elbow allows movement or gives flexibility. Between the elbow and the gripper is a wrist that acts as an alternative end-effector and allows the gripper to rotate. The gripper has a build-in sensors control force to work as a palm.

There are three motors. One is connected to the shoulder, elbow and the gripper. A computer is used for precision and control of motors. There are also alternative end-effectors including the spray paint, drill holes and the weld metal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the mechanical arm, including its components and the comparison to human anatomy. However, the description of the motor configuration is slightly confusing, as the text states 'One is connected to the shoulder, elbow and the gripper,' which is ambiguous. While the main features are identified, the comparison to human joints could be more explicitly linked throughout the text to better satisfy the prompt's requirement to report on how they function similarly. The inclusion of end-effectors is a positive addition that adds detail to the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized into paragraphs, moving from an overview to specific components and then to the control system. Cohesive devices such as 'Additionally,' 'The base is usually,' and 'There are also' are used to link ideas. However, the progression between sentences is sometimes mechanical. For instance, the transition between the description of the arm's movement and the motor section feels slightly abrupt. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the internal flow within the second paragraph could be improved by better signposting the relationship between the mechanical parts and their human counterparts.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with technical terms like 'end-effector,' 'pivot,' and 'stationary' used correctly. There are some minor errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'build-in sensors' (should be 'built-in') and 'drill holes and the weld metal' (which should be 'drilling holes and welding metal' to maintain parallel structure). While the range is sufficient to describe the diagram, it lacks the sophistication or precision required for a higher band score. The terminology is accurate but somewhat repetitive in its sentence structure.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: 'mechanical arm function' (should be 'functions') and 'joints... works' (should be 'work'). Additionally, 'sensors control force' is missing a preposition or relative pronoun to connect it to the previous clause. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The use of complex structures is attempted, but accuracy remains inconsistent throughout the text.

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.