Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The diagram shows a mechanical arm which works in the same way as of a human arm and shows how each joint is connected.

The mechanical arm shown consists of various components such as a Base which holds and keeps the arm hinged for a better precision and balance. Shoulder connects to the base on one end and elbow to the other it also consists of a pivot which helps arm to rotate.

Elbow is the midpoint of the whole arm as it gives movement and flexibilty to the arm, it is connected to the wrist which rotates both clockwise and anti-clockwise helping gripper which is the end point of the arm to rotate. Gripper has sensors and is used to hold objects between its spindles.

There are three motors used in the arm, one in the shoulder second in the elbow and third in the gripper. Motors are connected to a computer which controls the whole arm.

The arm using all of its joints and motors controlled by a computer helps to hold and move objects around. It is used in spray paints, drills and welding process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram’s main subject and describe several relevant parts, including the base, pivot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, gripper, motors and computer. You also mention the alternative uses shown. However, some details are inaccurate or unsupported: the base is described as keeping the arm “hinged,” the gripper is said to hold objects between “spindles,” and the motor positions are assigned to the shoulder, elbow and gripper, whereas the diagram links motors to the elbow, arm section near the wrist, and gripper. The overview is also limited: it would be clearer to explain that the computer controls the motors, which operate the joints and end-effector. Report the labelled functions more precisely and avoid adding features not shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a generally understandable sequence, moving from the base and joints to the motors and then to applications. Paragraph breaks help separate these topics, and links such as “which” and “There are three motors” connect related information. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the opening repeats the task, while the final sentence introduces uses without explaining how the alternative end-effectors relate to the gripper. Some references are also difficult to follow, particularly “Shoulder connects to the base on one end and elbow to the other,” where the relationship between the parts is unclear. Organise the description from the base upwards, then explain the control system and end-effectors, using explicit links between each stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of technical vocabulary, including “pivot,” “flexibility,” “motors,” “sensors” and “welding,” which helps convey the diagram’s subject. Some word choices, however, are imprecise or do not match the labels: “hinged” and “spindles” are not supported by the diagram, and “used in spray paints” is an awkward way to describe an application. There are also spelling errors such as “flexibilty,” and “precision” is used in a context where the diagram says the computer provides precision control. Aim for accurate collocations and use the diagram’s terminology where possible, such as “stationary base,” “built-in sensors” and “alternative end-effectors.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the main meaning is usually recoverable. However, several sentence structures are incomplete or awkward. For example, “Shoulder connects to the base on one end and elbow to the other” omits articles and a verb in the second clause; “it also consists of a pivot” has an unclear subject; and “The arm using all of its joints and motors controlled by a computer helps…” lacks a clear grammatical structure. There are also article and agreement issues in phrases such as “as of a human arm” and “helps arm to rotate.” Use complete clauses, check articles before singular countable nouns, and divide long sentences when the relationships between parts become unclear.

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

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