Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-21

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 passage describes about the functioning of a mechanical arm. It majorly explains about the joints that moves the arms similar to a human arm.

Overall, it is evident that the a mechanical arm has three small joints which are contributing to the bending and movement related functions but computer remains the brain of the hand that sends the instructions in order to get a work done by controlling the motors.

To commence, the mechanical hand has a base which is stationary but can be moved manually. The base is connected with a motor on the top and that resembels as shoulder of a human hand which is reqired to function in rising and lowering the arm. To enable rotation of the arm, a pivot is connected to shoulder. Then we have the main bisep arm portion connected to the motor which is connected to another motor on its end which acts as an elbow in comparision to a real hand. The motor used in the elbow section allows movement and gives flexibility.

Later on, the arm is conneted to a wrist that allows to gripping and to flex and rotate. It is also attached with a motor. All the motors are controlled using computer that send the instruction in machine format to control the precisions and accurary.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a mechanical arm and describe several relevant features, including the base, pivot, shoulder, elbow, wrist and computer control. However, the account only partially covers the main information: the gripper and its force sensors are not explained, and the alternative end-effectors for spraying, drilling and welding are omitted. Some details are also unclear or inaccurate. For example, the base is described as movable manually, whereas the diagram says it is usually stationary and only occasionally movable; the motors’ connections are not consistently reported. The overview focuses on three joints and the computer but does not summarise the arm’s main functions or interchangeable tools. Include these key features and make the comparisons more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by descriptions of the arm from its base towards the wrist. Paragraphing helps distinguish the general summary from the component details, and sequencing phrases such as “To commence” and “Later on” guide the reader. However, progression is sometimes difficult to follow because the motor connections are described in a confusing order, particularly in the sentence about the “main bisep arm portion” and motors at its ends. Some links are also mechanical, and references such as “it” do not always make clear whether you mean the arm, wrist or motor. Grouping the components by their position and function, then using clearer references, would make the explanation more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “pivot,” “flexibility,” “rotation,” “motors” and “instructions,” which allows the reader to understand the general subject. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as “precision control.” However, word choice and spelling errors are noticeable and sometimes make the description less precise: “resembels,” “reqired,” “bisep,” “conneted,” “accurary” and “precisions” are inaccurate forms. Several phrases are also unnatural, including “get a work done” and “allows to gripping.” Use standard technical terms such as “forearm” and “gripper,” and check collocations and spelling. A more precise vocabulary for the diagram’s functions would help you describe its features without relying on broad phrases such as “movement related functions.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “which is required to function in rising and lowering the arm” and a sequence of linked clauses describing the elbow. The overall meaning is generally recoverable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “the joints that moves” has subject–verb disagreement, “the a mechanical arm” has an article error, and “computer that send” needs a plural verb or a different construction. The phrase “allows to gripping” also has an incorrect verb pattern, while “allows to flex and rotate” needs a clear object. Aim for accurate agreement, articles and verb patterns, and break up the long motor-description sentence so its relationships are easier to express.

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