Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The diagam here shows how a mechanical arm works. Firstly we will make three types of motors using computer that we will call precision control of motors. The first motor will be called as the gripper it will be installed at palm section because it will have a built-in sensor to control force, then the second motor will be installed at the elbow side which will allow the arm to move freely and gives flexibility and finally the third motor will be at the shoulder that will allow the arm to move up and down freely. The arm will be adjusted at the base that usuallly will be stationary and it can move as well. Then on the top of the base there will be shoulder and pivot attached to it so it enables arms to rotate, then there is elbow attached to shoulder side that will give flexibility and moving forward there will be wrist of the arm that will alows gripper to rotate and at last there is a gripper that will control the force of the hand using a built-in sensors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the mechanical arm diagram, but it suffers from severe misinterpretations of the visual data. For instance, the student states that 'we will make three types of motors using computer', which misunderstands the role of the computer and the motors in the control system. Furthermore, the description of the components and their locations contains numerous inaccuracies; the text claims the gripper motor is installed at the palm section and misplaces several joints relative to the base and pivot. While the general subject matter is touched upon, the lack of an effective overview and the flawed reporting of the main features mean the task is only partially addressed, aligning with a Band 5 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The text is written as a single, dense block paragraph without any logical divisions, which severely hinders readability. Cohesive devices are minimal, repetitive, and frequently inaccurate ('Firstly we will make...', 'then the second motor...', 'and at last there is a...'). There is no clear progression of ideas; instead, the writing jumps back and forth between the base, the motors, and the joints in a haphazard manner. Referencing is also weak, with ambiguous pronouns like 'it' creating confusion about which component is being described. These structural and cohesive shortcomings place the response firmly in the Band 4 range.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.5

Vocabulary usage is basic, repetitive, and heavily relies on copying terms directly from the diagram prompt (e.g., 'precision control of motors', 'built-in sensor to control force'). The student struggles with appropriate word choice and collocation, such as 'adjusted at the base' instead of 'mounted on the base'. There are also frequent awkward formulations like 'at the elbow side'. While some domain-specific terms are present, they are lifted straight from the visual rather than deployed flexibly by the writer. Vocabulary errors and the limited range restrict the score to Band 4.5, rounded to 4.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting almost entirely of long, run-on sentences joined by coordinating conjunctions like 'and' or 'then'. There is a complete lack of effective subordination or varied complex structures. Grammatical accuracy is poor throughout, featuring tense confusion ('we will make', 'will be called'), run-on clauses, and missing articles. For example, the sentence starting with 'Then on the top of the base...' strings multiple clauses together without proper punctuation or structural control. Frequent errors cause noticeable difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 4 descriptor.

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

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