Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-18

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 4.0)

the diagram below illustrates the mechinical arm duties and how to joints that make up the arm funciton in the same way as those in a human arm.

overall, the diagram consists of 5 main stages. it is a cyclical process. showing how to do arm works

at the first computer precision control the motors there are three motors control by computer the first motor is in the shoulder raises or lowers arm it usually stationary or occasionally movable. the is pivot enables arm to rotate the elbow allows movement flexiblity

after that the second motor is aslo attached in elbow in the right side of elbow there is a wrist that allows gripper or alternative end effector or to rotate the wrist

the last motor is in the gripper this is use for built in sensor control force the alternative end effectors spray paint drill holes and weld metal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The student attempts to describe the diagram of the mechanical arm, but the response suffers from significant inaccuracies in interpreting the visual data. The text mischaracterizes the process, claiming it consists of five main stages and is cyclical, whereas the diagram actually depicts structural components and functional parallels between a mechanical arm and a human arm. While some key elements like the motors, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and gripper are mentioned, the description of how they function is confused and poorly structured. For instance, the text states 'at the first computer precision control the motors there are three motors control by computer'. Key details such as the alternative end-effectors used for spray painting, drilling holes, and welding are partially included at the very end, but they lack clear context or comparison. Overall, the response falls short of fully or accurately reporting the main features of the prompt, resulting in a band 4.5 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response lacks clear logical organization and progression throughout. The text is presented in a dense block of text with very weak paragraphing and absent punctuation in many places, making it extremely difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are largely absent, and referencing is faulty. For example, sentences run into one another without transition words or appropriate conjunctions, such as 'the is pivot enables arm to rotate the elbow allows movement flexiblity after that the second motor is aslo attached in elbow'. There is no discernible overall progression, and ideas appear disjointed and fragmented. Paragraphing is not used effectively to structure the different parts of the diagram. Consequently, the organization significantly impedes the reader's ability to navigate the text, aligning with band 4.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The lexical range is very basic and limited. The student heavily relies on lifting vocabulary directly from the prompt labels, such as 'computer', 'precision control', 'motors', 'shoulder', 'elbow', 'wrist', and 'gripper', while misspelling several key words (e.g., 'mechinical', 'funciton', 'flexiblity', 'aslo'). Word choice and collocation are frequently awkward or incorrect, as seen in phrases like 'the diagram consists of 5 main stages' and 'this is use for built in sensor control force'. There is an absence of less common vocabulary or precise paraphrase. Spelling and word-form errors occur throughout the text. These lexical limitations strain the reader and reflect a band 4.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting mostly of fragmented or poorly constructed simple sentences that fail to form standard syntactic units. There is a total lack of control over punctuation and capitalization, with sentences running together without periods or commas (e.g., 'the elbow allows movement flexiblity after that the second motor is aslo attached in elbow in the right side of elbow there is a wrist'). Complex structures are virtually absent, and basic grammatical rules such as subject-verb agreement and verb forms are frequently violated (e.g., 'there are three motors control by computer'). Frequent errors distort meaning and make large portions of the text very difficult for the reader to parse, placing the grammar firmly at a band 4.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.