Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-13

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 4.5)

The illustrated diagram depicts the process of mechanical arm works, and how the joints works as arm function as human arm.

The diagram shows a simple process of arm work in which the core area which is base which usually stationary and sometime moves and then the part called shoulder which help to raises and lowers the arm is connected to the one of of the motors. Infornt of the sholder there is a pivot which allows arm to rotate, upside there is a elbow which allows movements and provides flexibility, it is also connected with the second motor. Infornt of that there is wrist which allows gripper to flex and rotate, at the end of the arm there is a gripper which is built sensor control force and also connected to the motor. All the three motors then meet with computer which controls all the three motors and make mechanical arm works. There are three more tools shown in the diagram which are spary paint, drill holes and weld metal.

In comparison, the diagrams represents the joint of the mechanical arm and how these joints work and help the arm to function.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the diagram, identifying key components such as the base, shoulder, pivot, elbow, wrist, gripper, and the three motors connected to a computer, as well as the additional tools. However, the overview is extremely weak and repetitive, failing to properly summarise the overarching mechanism or provide clear, well-structured comparisons. The writing feels more like a disjointed list of observations rather than a cohesive report. Furthermore, there are inaccuracies in interpretation and expression. Consequently, this performance aligns with Band 5, as it addresses the task only partially with limited and under-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The text suffers from poor organisational structure. It consists of an introduction, a single massive run-on paragraph that crams almost all the body details together, and a concluding sentence that merely reiterates parts of the introduction. Cohesive devices are either missing or misused, with the second sentence acting as a chaotic string of clauses joined by 'and' repeatedly (e.g., 'and then the part called shoulder... and raises... and connected... and allows... and provides... and is also connected...'). Paragraphing is entirely inadequate, resulting in a lack of clear overall progression. This fits the Band 4 descriptor, where information and ideas are not arranged coherently, though the presence of some logical sequence prevents a lower mark.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic, repetitive, and heavily relies on copying terms directly from the prompt or diagram (e.g., 'mechanical arm', 'joints', 'motors', 'computer'). There are notable word-choice errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'spary paint', 'drill holes', and 'weld metal' instead of spray painting, drilling, and welding. Less common lexical items are largely absent, and the overall range is limited. This demonstrates a Band 5 performance, as the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the basic subject matter, but noticeable errors and limited variety restrict precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

Grammatical control is weak throughout the response. The text is plagued by severe structural errors, run-on sentences, and missing verbs or articles (e.g., 'process of mechanical arm works', 'joints works as arm function as human arm', 'core area which is base which usually stationary'). Complex sentence attempts are consistently faulty, resulting in frequent grammatical errors that often cause difficulty and confusion for the reader. There is a lack of control over basic clause structures and punctuation. This reflects a Band 4 level, where errors are frequent and often distort meaning.

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

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