Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates how a mechanical arm and shows the function of its various joints and components which work in similar way to those of a human arm.

Overall, the mechanical arm consists of several motors,joints and an end effector all of whi.ch are controlled by a computer. the arm can perform a range of movements including rotating, raising, lowering and gripping objects.

At the bottom, the arm is attached to a base, which is usually stationary but can occasionally be moved. Above the base, a shoulder joint allows the arm to be raised and lowered, while a pivot enables it to rotate. Further along the arm, an elbow joint provides flexibility and allows movement. A wrist joint then permits the gripp or another end effector to flex and rotate.

The gripper is equipped with built-in sensors that control the force used to hold objects. Different end effectors can also be attached for specific purposes such as spraying paint drilling holes or welding metal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all key features of the mechanical arm, including the base, joints, and end effectors. You have effectively highlighted the comparison between the mechanical and human arm components. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the arm's functionality. To reach a higher band, ensure that the comparison is slightly more explicit throughout the body paragraphs, perhaps by directly linking the 'shoulder' or 'elbow' joints to their human counterparts more consistently. Overall, the information is well-selected and presented in a logical manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, moving from a general overview to specific components and their functions. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general description from the detailed mechanical breakdown. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'further along', and 'then' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, there are minor issues with punctuation and spacing, such as 'whi.ch' and the lack of a space after 'lowering', which slightly disrupts the flow. Improving the precision of these cohesive links and ensuring consistent formatting would enhance the overall readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a good range of technical vocabulary relevant to the task, such as 'end effector', 'pivot', 'flexibility', and 'sensors'. This demonstrates an adequate range for the task. There are some minor spelling errors, such as 'gripp' instead of 'gripper', and some punctuation errors that affect the presentation. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or synonyms to describe the movements, such as 'articulate' or 'precision-engineered'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The gripper is equipped with built-in sensors that control the force used to hold objects.' While the grammar is generally accurate, there are several mechanical errors, including missing spaces after commas and periods, and a typo in 'whi.ch'. These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not impede the overall understanding of the text. To improve, focus on proofreading for punctuation and spacing, and aim to vary sentence length further to demonstrate greater control over complex structures.

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

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