Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-12

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 given pictorial representation illustrates how a mechanical arm works and how the function performs when it is in a human arm.

Overall, it can be seen that, mechanical arm needs three motors and a computer to operate through many types of functions. While a human arm can easily access different kind of tools.

In terms of mechanical arm, it needs a computer to precise control of three types of motors which works differently. The first motor is used to control the base which is occasionally a movable part of arm. There is different parts to operate it, first is shoulders, which helps arm to raise and lower according to need. A pivot is placed between shoulders, which enables arm to rotate accordingly. There is an elbow, which allows flexibility. The second motor is used to operate a wrist, which allows gripper to rotate or move as need. Finally, the third motor allows the gripper to built-in sensors to control the things.

In terms of human, they can easily adapt things according to the need. Human does different kinds of work with the same hand with ease by using tools such as the spray paint, drill machines and metal welding.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram’s main subject and mention the computer, three motors, several joints, and the alternative tools, so the response includes relevant information. However, the account only partially reports the process and contains important inaccuracies: the first motor is not described as controlling the base, and the pivot is not placed “between shoulders.” The gripper’s sensors control the force applied; they do not enable the gripper to have sensors. The comparison with a human arm is also vague and does not explain how the mechanical joints correspond to human joints. Give a clearer overview of the arm’s structure and explain the functions and human-arm parallels accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to the mechanical arm and then to human use of tools. Sequencing words such as “first,” “second,” and “finally” help signal order. However, progression within the mechanical-arm paragraph is difficult to follow because the description shifts from motors to the base, shoulder, pivot, elbow, and wrist without clearly showing how these parts connect. The contrast introduced by “While” in the overview is also not developed into a clear comparison. Use one paragraph to describe the arm from base to gripper, and connect each component to its function with clear references and transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant technical vocabulary, including “pivot,” “elbow,” “gripper,” “flexibility,” and “rotate,” which helps identify the diagram’s components. There is also some attempt to vary wording through phrases such as “raise and lower” and “adapt things.” However, several word combinations are imprecise or unnatural, including “precise control,” “the function performs,” and “control the things.” “Different kind of tools” is also too general for a diagram that names specific end-effectors. Choose more precise process language, such as describing the computer as controlling the motors and the gripper sensors as regulating force. This would make the account clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including the overview beginning “Overall” and the sequence describing the motors. However, errors in sentence construction and agreement occur frequently enough to make some relationships unclear. For example, “a mechanical arm needs three motors and a computer to operate through many types of functions” has an unclear structure, while “three types of motors which works differently” has a subject–verb agreement error. Other examples include “There is different parts” and “allows the gripper to built-in sensors,” where the grammatical patterns are faulty. Practise accurate plural agreement and verb forms, and use simpler, complete sentences when describing each component’s function.

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.