Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-10

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 5.0)

The diagram describes both of them and how a mechanical arm and how the joints that make up the arm have the same function in the same way as in a human arm.

Overall, in a mechanical arm, the joints connect with others via motors, which allow movement of all the sides. The motors are situated in the base, elbow, and gripper. Whereas human arms holds spray paint, drill with their hands.

Looking at first, the base-attached shoulder and elbow with the rod and grip is the end point where the things are held to perform tasks. Furthermore, the elbow gives flexibility and allows movement on all the sides where the mechanical arm wants to move. While humans work with their natural arms to hold things with the hands and perfroms tasks with the help of their own brains.

Turning to the gripper, which is attached with the elbow by the long rod. Gripers have the built-in sensor that controls force with the help of computer command. At the final stage, computers give commands to perform any tasks that are needed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response identifies the mechanical arm, its joints, motors and gripper, and mentions the human-arm comparison and alternative tools. However, it only partially reports the diagram’s main features. The statement that motors are “situated in the base, elbow, and gripper” is inaccurate: the diagram shows three motors controlled by a computer, without locating them in those parts. The alternatives are also misrepresented as things humans hold, rather than end-effectors such as a spray gun, drill or welding tool. Important functions—including the shoulder raising and lowering the arm, the pivot enabling rotation, and the wrist allowing flexion or rotation—are omitted. A clearer overview and accurate coverage of these key features would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation into an opening, an overview and body paragraphs, and sequencing phrases such as “Looking at first” and “At the final stage” help signal movement through the description. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the response moves from the base and elbow to human arms, then to the gripper and computer, without systematically explaining the arm from its base to its end-effector. “Whereas” begins a fragment, and “Turning to the gripper” does not clearly connect the computer’s role to the preceding point. Group the information in a logical order and use linking expressions to show relationships between components, rather than relying on a few repeated transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “mechanical arm,” “joints,” “motors,” “built-in sensor” and “flexibility,” so the reader can identify the general subject. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the description difficult to follow. For example, “motors are situated in the base, elbow, and gripper” does not accurately describe the diagram, while “rod and grip” and “all the sides” are imprecise. There are also spelling errors such as “Gripers” and “perfroms.” Use precise component names such as “forearm,” “wrist” and “end-effector,” and choose verbs that describe each function accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer structures, including “which allow movement” and “which is attached with the elbow,” but control is inconsistent and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. The opening repeats and misconstructs its main clause: “describes both of them and how a mechanical arm and how the joints…” The sentence “Whereas human arms holds…” is incomplete and has a subject–verb agreement error; “the elbow gives flexibility and allows movement… where the mechanical arm wants to move” is also awkwardly structured. Other problems include “At the final stage, computers give commands” without a clear grammatical link to the preceding explanation. Practise complete sentences, agreement, articles and relative clauses, and check each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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

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