Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-06

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 the working of mechanical arm and the joints which enable the arm function similar to that of a human arm. The main control system of the mechanical arm is a computer which precisely control the motors connected to the arm.

First of all, there are three motors controlled by a computer is connected to various parts of the mechanical arm. Both the shoulder used for raising or lowering arms and the pivot which enables the arm to rotate are connected to the base that is usually stationary or can move occasionally is controlled by the first motor. Similarly the second motor controls the movement of elbows that provides flexibility. Followed by it there is a long wrist connected to gripper or alternative end effectors like spray paint or drill holes or weld metal installed with build- in sensors which control force. The wrist enables the gripper or alternative end effectors to rotate.

To sum up, a mechanical arm is effectively constructed to perform the functions of a human arm by installing efficient parts connected to three different motors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the mechanical arm, identifying the control system, the motors, and the functional components. However, the description of the mechanical process is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear, comparative analysis between the mechanical arm and the human arm, which was a specific requirement of the prompt. While the key parts are mentioned, the explanation of how the joints function in relation to human anatomy is underdeveloped. The summary provides a basic overview, but it misses the opportunity to synthesize the information into a more cohesive report of the system's operation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which is appropriate for this task. There is a logical progression from the control system to the specific motors and finally the end effectors. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward, such as 'Followed by it there is a long wrist'. Some sentences lack smooth transitions, making the flow feel slightly disjointed. Referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the motors and the specific movements they facilitate could be more explicitly linked to improve the overall flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with technical terms like 'end effectors', 'pivot', and 'sensors' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'drill holes or weld metal' which are actions rather than end effectors themselves. The phrasing 'working of mechanical arm' is missing an article, and 'build-in sensors' should be 'built-in'. While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary, the lack of variety and minor errors in collocation prevent a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that, while not impeding communication, are noticeable. For example, 'the joints which enable the arm function' should be 'enable the arm to function', and 'three motors controlled by a computer is connected' contains a subject-verb agreement error. Additionally, there are missing articles throughout the text (e.g., 'working of mechanical arm'). While the student attempts complex structures, the frequency of these minor errors suggests a lack of full control over grammatical accuracy.

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

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