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 outlines the working mechanism of a mechanical arm and how it is similar to human arm in terms of working.

The main parts of the mechanical arm like the wrist, elbow, and the shoulder are primarily controlled by motors which are instructed to work through a computer.

All main parts of mechanical arm that are involved in movement are indirectly controlled by motor. One motor powers that shoulder, the second one controls the elbow of arm and the third one handles the gripper. The control of all these three motors is handled by a operator that operates the computer that dictates the motor output.

Computer gives input to first motor when ther is a need to raise or lower the arm just like a shoulder in human body helps to move arm high above the body. In addition to this, motos allocated to elbow recieves input and manages the movement of elbow that allows to extend the arm back and forth just like elbow in human body. Furthermore, the third motor dictates the gripper of arm about how strongly or softly catch somethings just like we have sensors in our palm from which we know about our grip.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a mechanical arm and explain that a computer controls three motors, with useful comparisons between the shoulder, elbow and gripper and their human counterparts. However, the report focuses almost entirely on these controls and does not cover several important features shown: the base and pivot, the wrist’s ability to flex or rotate, or the alternative end-effectors used for spraying, drilling and welding. The overview is also limited; it would be clearer to summarise the arm’s overall structure and its range of movement before describing individual parts. Some details are inaccurate or unsupported, such as saying an operator operates the computer and comparing the gripper’s sensors with sensors in the human palm. Covering the omitted components and keeping comparisons grounded in the diagram would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence: it introduces the computer and motors, then explains the shoulder, elbow and gripper. Paragraphing separates the introduction from the details, and linking phrases such as “In addition to this” and “Furthermore” help signal progression. However, the second paragraph repeats the point that the motors control the arm, and the description does not follow the diagram’s physical layout consistently. The final paragraph also combines several explanations in a long sequence, making the relationships between the computer, motors and joints less clear. Organise the body from the base and shoulder up to the elbow, wrist and gripper, and use references such as “the first motor” only when their identity is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “mechanical arm,” “motors,” “shoulder,” “elbow” and “gripper,” and phrases such as “raise or lower” communicate movement. The range is adequate for describing the main components, but some wording is repetitive or imprecise: “working mechanism” and “working” recur, while “handles the gripper” does not clearly describe its function. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “ther,” “motos,” “recieves” and “somethings,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise diagram language, such as “controls,” “rotates,” “flexes” and “end-effector,” and check spelling and natural collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a comparison clause in “just like a shoulder in human body helps to move arm high above the body.” The main meaning is usually recoverable, but some errors in articles, agreement and sentence construction remain. For example, “similar to human arm” needs an article, “All main parts … is indirectly controlled” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “one motor powers that shoulder” uses an incorrect determiner. The sentence beginning “Computer gives input” also needs an article, and the final sentence is awkwardly structured around “dictates the gripper … about how.” Use shorter, controlled sentences where needed, and check articles, agreement and clause structure.

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