Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-30

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 given diagram shows how a robotic arm works in a similar fashion to a human arm while performing tasks such as spray painting, drilling and welding.

Overall, a mechanical arm is controlled by 3 computers monitored motors and has joints similar to a human arm.

To begin with, the arm is anchored to the foundation at the shoulder. this base is usually not movavle, but sometimes it is movable. The movement of raising or lowering the arm is supported by the pivot installed between the shoulder and the base. this part also allows the whole arm to rotate and making it able to work just like a human shoulder.

Furtermore, the elbow in the middle allows free movement including flexing and rotating, affording complete flexibity to the whole equipment. similarly, the wrist of the mechanical arm functions just like a human counterpart allowing hand free movement, gripper in this case. Gripper is equipped with semsors to control force of hold. Gripper can be replaced by other end-effectors, like spray paint, drilling and welding metals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main features of the mechanical arm, including its joints, base, and functions such as spray painting, drilling, and welding. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, mentioning that the arm is controlled by three computer-monitored motors and features human-like joints. However, some mechanical details from the diagram are slightly inaccurate or misinterpreted; for instance, the text states the arm is 'controlled by 3 computers monitored motors' rather than a computer controlling three motors, and some minor labels regarding the pivot and shoulder are conflated. Despite these minor misreadings, all parts of the visual prompt are addressed. This performance aligns well with Band 6.5 to 7.0 descriptors, specifically covering the main features with a clear overall summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is structured into four paragraphs, moving from an introduction to an overview, and then into detailed descriptions of the base/shoulder and upper arm/wrist/gripper sections. Logical progression is generally clear, and basic cohesive devices are employed (e.g., 'To begin with', 'Furtermore', 'similarly'). However, paragraphing could be better balanced, and referencing is occasionally clunky, such as 'this base' and 'this part' following missing capitalisation or punctuation errors at the start of sentences ('this base is usually not movavle...'). Cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical rather than fluid. This reflects the characteristics of a Band 6.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a mechanical process, using terms like 'anchored', 'foundation', 'end-effectors', 'flexibility', and 'counterpart'. However, there are notable spelling errors ('movavle', 'Furtermore', 'flexibity', 'semsors') and occasional awkward word choices ('computers monitored motors'). Less common items are attempted with varying degrees of success, and word-choice slips restrict the score to Band 6, where vocabulary is adequate for the task but contains noticeable spelling and morphological inaccuracies.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'making it able to work just like a human shoulder', 'allowing hand free movement, gripper in this case'). However, there are frequent punctuation and capitalization errors, particularly starting sentences with lowercase letters ('this base...', 'this part...'). Grammatical errors include missing articles ('hand free movement', 'control force of hold') and awkward phrasing. Because errors are noticeable and recurrent—though they do not impede overall communication—the response fits the Band 6 descriptor well.

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

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