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.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

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

Overall, the computer-precision control of motors divided into three motors. Each of them plays the important role to make mechanical arm with three different joints same as the three human arm joints.

The first motor works as a shoulder at the base of mechanical arm, which helps the arm in the movement in upper and lower same as human shoulder that enables the pivot at back to rotate as an arm. The second motor works as elbow which helps the arm joint to move with flexibility.

At the last, the third motor works as hand gripper which built in sensors control force behind that it connects with the rod as an wrist which alows the gripper to flex/rotate. The alternative end-effectors are to spray paint/drill holes/weld metal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram’s subject and mention several relevant parts, including the motors, elbow, gripper sensors, wrist movement and alternative end-effectors. However, the account only partially reports how the arm is arranged and functions. The overview says there are three joints, but the description misassigns the first motor to the shoulder and the third to the gripper; the diagram instead links motors to different components, including the elbow, arm section and gripper. The pivot and base are also not clearly described, and the human-arm comparison is not accurately developed. The response is 131 words, below the required 150, which limits the detail provided. To improve, give a clear overview and accurately explain the base, pivot, shoulder, elbow, wrist and gripper.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview and a sequence describing components, followed by the alternative end-effectors. This gives the reader some sense of progression, and phrases such as “The second motor” and “At the last” attempt to guide the sequence. However, the order is not consistently clear because the motors are matched to parts in a confusing way, and several relationships are compressed into long sentences. For example, the sentence beginning “The first motor works as a shoulder” combines the shoulder’s movement with the pivot’s function, making the connection difficult to follow. Use separate sentences for each component and organise the description from the base upwards, then explain the control system and end-effectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant technical vocabulary, including “pivot,” “flexibility,” “built-in sensors,” “gripper” and “end-effectors,” which helps identify the diagram’s features. The range is nevertheless limited, and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “computer-precision control of motors divided into three motors” and “make mechanical arm.” These expressions make some information harder to interpret. There are also spelling errors, including “funtion” and “alows,” and “hand gripper” is less precise than simply “gripper.” Aim for accurate process-description phrases such as “the computer controls three motors” and “the arm is mounted on a base.” Check spelling and use the diagram’s labels consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the opening sentence clearly introduces the topic. However, grammatical errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to understand. For instance, “Overall, the computer-precision control of motors divided into three motors” lacks a finite verb and has an unclear structure. In “Each of them plays the important role to make mechanical arm,” the article and infinitive pattern are faulty. Other problems include “which built in sensors control force,” where a verb is missing, and “an wrist,” where the article is incorrect. Build accuracy with complete subject–verb sentences, for example, “The computer controls three motors,” and check articles, verb forms and sentence boundaries before submitting.

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.