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 functions, and how the joints that make up the arm work similarly to those in a human arm.

Overall, it has a base, shoulder, pivot and a gripper representing a human shoulder, elbow and palm. Additionally a computer use 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. Furthermore, it acts like a human shoulder which is articulated to the shoulder bones. 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. Apart from that, it connects the gripper and the elbow. The gripper has built-in sensors that control force just like 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 spray paint, drilling holes and welding metal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the mechanical arm and successfully draws comparisons to the human arm. You have identified the key components such as the base, shoulder, pivot, and gripper, and explained their functions. However, the description of the motors and the computer control is slightly disconnected from the main body of the text, and the mention of 'alternative end-effectors' at the end feels like a list rather than an integrated part of the summary. To reach a higher band, ensure that all technical details are woven into the comparative narrative more fluidly, rather than listing them as separate points at the end.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, a body paragraph detailing the arm's anatomy, and a final paragraph for the control system. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Additionally,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Apart from that.' However, the transition between the description of the arm's joints and the mention of the motors is somewhat abrupt. The flow could be improved by using more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the mechanical functions to the control mechanisms, rather than starting new sentences with simple conjunctions.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using technical terms like 'end-effector,' 'articulated,' and 'sensors' correctly. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'a computer use used to control,' which is a grammatical slip that also affects lexical precision. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the variety and sophistication required for a higher band. Incorporating more precise verbs and descriptive adjectives would enhance the quality of your writing.

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 'a computer use used to control' (should be 'a computer is used to control') and 'the shoulder bones' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You should focus on proofreading to catch basic subject-verb agreement errors and ensure that your sentence structures are consistently accurate.

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

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