Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-23

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.

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Student answer (Band 5.5)

The diagram illustrates a mechanical arm works, and how the joints that make up the arm function in the same way as those in human arm.

Overall, mechanical arm need three motors to work same as human arm and computer work as brain.

To begin with, human brain control the movement of arm which send message through nerve impules in the same way computer work it send message to the motor and then it move. To make arm like human three motors are used.

Furthermore, first motor is placed on shoulder which help to mechanical arm to raises and lowers the arm. Pivot is used to enables arm to rotate. Moreover, next motor is placed on elbow which allowsnmovement and gives flexibility. Third motor is used in gripper through built in sensors control force. This structure is on base which is usually stationary or occasionally movable Alternative end-effectors are spray paint, drill holes, weld metal.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram’s main subject and give a brief overview, noting that the arm uses three motors and that the computer is compared with a human brain. You also report several relevant functions, including the shoulder raising and lowering the arm, the pivot enabling rotation, and the gripper’s force sensors. However, the account is only partial: the motor connections are not described accurately or clearly, and the wrist’s role in allowing the gripper to flex or rotate is omitted. The comparison with human joints is asserted rather than explained, while the alternative end-effectors are only listed. The response is also below the required 150 words; 21 words copied from the prompt do not count. Develop the key relationships and functions more fully to make the summary complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details, and sequencing phrases such as “To begin with” and “Furthermore” help signal progression. However, the organisation does not consistently guide the reader through the diagram: the explanation shifts from the human brain to the motors, then to the shoulder, pivot, elbow and gripper without a clear physical or functional sequence. Some links are also unclear, particularly “which send message through nerve impules in the same way computer work it send message to the motor.” The final sentence combines the base and alternative tools without a clear transition. Group the information into a clear overview and a logically ordered description, and use linking words to show relationships rather than simply add points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant technical vocabulary, including “pivot,” “flexibility,” “built in sensors,” and “alternative end-effectors,” which helps identify parts and functions. However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or awkward, making some descriptions less precise. For example, “computer work as brain” and “motor is used in gripper” do not express the relationships naturally, while “raises and lowers” is used in a sentence that needs a different grammatical form. There is also a spelling error in “impules,” and “allowsnmovement” appears to contain a typing error. Aim for precise process language and accurate collocations, such as describing a motor as “connected to” or “controlling” a joint.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including the comparison beginning “in the same way,” but control is inconsistent and errors occur frequently. Subject–verb agreement is a recurring issue: “mechanical arm need,” “human brain control,” and “computer work” require matching verb forms. Articles and sentence structure are also problematic in phrases such as “in same way as human arm” and “which send message.” The sentence beginning “To begin with” joins several ideas without clear grammatical boundaries, and “which allowsnmovement” is malformed. These errors sometimes make relationships difficult to follow. Practise accurate simple sentences first, then combine them using relative clauses and comparison structures, checking articles, agreement and punctuation.

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