Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-08

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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates how a mechanical arm works,and how its joints function in the same way as those in a human arm.

Overall, the mechanical arm is mainly control by computer through different motors.There are different parts of arm which have same function like human arm parts. Every part has its own function such as providing flexibility, griping and moving upward or downward.

Firstly, there are three motors control by computer, one motor is attached to base which is usually stationary and sometime it is movable. On the base there are two parts, pivot and shoulder. Former one enables arm to rotate and later one raises or lowers the arm. The second motor is attached to elbow of arm, which allows movement and provide flexibilty just like human elbow.

However, the third one is attached to gripper which have built-in sensors to control force and hold things like human hand.

Moreover, mechanical arm can be attached with end effectors for spray paint, drill holes and weld metal.‏

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram’s main purpose and give a useful overview of the computer-controlled motors and the arm’s functions. You also report the base, pivot, shoulder, elbow, gripper, and the three alternative end-effectors, so the key components are represented. However, some relationships are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows the motors connected to the elbow, arm section near the wrist, and gripper, not one motor attached to the base. The wrist’s role in allowing the gripper or another end-effector to flex or rotate is omitted, and the comparison with human joints is asserted rather than explained. Clarify the motor connections and include the wrist to make the description more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overall summary, and a sequence of details followed by the alternative uses. This helps the reader follow the general description. However, progression is not consistently clear because the account moves from the motors to the base and then to the elbow and gripper without accurately tracing the arm from its base through its joints to its end. Some linking is mechanical, particularly “Firstly,” “However,” and “Moreover,” and “Former one” and “later one” require the reader to infer which parts are meant. Organise the body in the diagram’s physical order and use clear references such as “the pivot” and “the shoulder” to improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “pivot,” “built-in sensors,” “flexibility,” and “end effectors,” and these terms help convey the diagram’s technical content. The response also attempts to describe functions rather than merely list labels. Some word choices and forms are inaccurate or imprecise, however: “griping” should be “gripping,” “flexibilty” is misspelled, and “attached with end effectors” is not the natural collocation for describing the arm’s interchangeable tools. “Hold things” is understandable but less precise than describing the gripper as grasping objects. Check spelling and choose more exact verbs and collocations to make the description clearer and more formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including relative clauses such as “which allows movement” and a contrastive sentence beginning “However.” The main meaning is generally recoverable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “is mainly control by computer” needs a past participle and article (“controlled by a computer”), while “there are three motors control by computer” needs a relative clause or passive form. Agreement is also inconsistent in “gripper which have,” and “allows movement and provide” shifts agreement within the same clause. Add spaces after sentence punctuation and use complete, accurately formed clauses. More consistent control of verb forms and agreement would make the technical explanation easier to read.

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