Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-08

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 5.5)

The diagram here illustrates the functioning of a mechnical arm comparing it with the working of a normal human arm.

The different joints of the arm shows movement and holding capability same like a person's arm do the movements and make grips.

The base of the mechanical arm is kept motionless ,however, it can move occasionally depending upon the choice.Just like a human shoulder which gives rotation to the arm, the mechanical arm has a pivot and a shoulder to control its rotation and move it higher or lower.

Just like the human arm, the elbow just beneath the shoulder decides the motion of the arm and makes it more flexible.Comparing with human hands, wrist and the hands provide the necessary rotation and grip to the object to be hold.All the joints in the mechanical arm have motors installed in them which are controlled by computer systems to handle the movement and make grip.The end-effectors are usually used in spray paints,drills and for metal welding.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by identifying the main features of the mechanical arm and comparing them to human anatomy. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the base, shoulder, elbow, and wrist, the description lacks a clear, structured overview of the process. The comparison is present but could be more analytical; for instance, explaining how the motors and computer systems specifically mimic the biological function of muscles would have strengthened the response. The conclusion regarding end-effectors is relevant but feels slightly disconnected from the main comparison. To improve, ensure you group the information logically to highlight the functional parallels more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is generally coherent, and the information is organized in a logical sequence, moving from the base to the end-effectors. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is presented as a single block of text, which hinders readability. While you use some cohesive devices like 'however' and 'just like', the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical. To reach a higher band, you should use clear paragraph breaks to separate the introduction, the main body of comparisons, and the concluding summary, and vary your linking phrases to create a more natural progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'mechanical arm', 'end-effectors', 'pivot', and 'rotation'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'holding capability same like a person's arm do' and 'object to be hold'. These errors do not impede communication but indicate a need for more precise usage. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and ensuring that your verb forms are correct in context. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise descriptive terms for mechanical movement would also be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The different joints... shows', 'a person's arm do') and minor punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after commas ('paints,drills'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not prevent the reader from understanding the main points. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and ensure consistent use of articles and prepositions. Increasing the variety of complex structures while maintaining accuracy will help you achieve a higher band score.

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

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