Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-26

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 5.0)

The diagram gives information about the performances and the functions of a mechanical arm. Also, it illustrates how the joints composed of arms function in the same way as those in a human arm .

Overall, we can observe that it is made of a central computer which is responsible for controlling 3 motors, enabling the well functioning of the mechanical arm. Moreover , it has a strong stationary base which serves as the main fondation for the whole tool that is maintaining the balance of the mechanical arm.

Furthermore, as I said earlier the mechanical arm consist of 3 motors , one of them consisting of an elbow which has a role of flexibility ,enabling the arm to rotate easily. It also has a gripper having buit-in sensors that control force of the arm.

Also ,it contains a wrist and a shoulder which allows the gripper to flex and raise the arm of the mechanical arm respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the diagram’s general subject and mention several relevant parts, including the computer, three motors, gripper sensors, wrist, shoulder and base. However, the account is incomplete and contains a key misreading: the elbow provides movement or flexibility, but it is not one of the motors. The pivot and its rotation function are omitted, as are the alternative end-effectors and their uses. The overview also inaccurately describes the base as stationary, although it is usually stationary and can sometimes move. The response is 147 words, below the required 150, and 11 words copied from the prompt were not counted. To develop the summary, describe the arm’s arrangement and explain the functions of its main joints and interchangeable tools.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing components. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Furthermore” and “Also” help signal movement between points. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the motors are introduced, then the elbow is incorrectly presented as one of them, and the final paragraph lists the wrist and shoulder without clearly relating them to the arm’s layout. Some transitions are repetitive or awkward, particularly “as I said earlier,” which refers back without adding useful organisation. Grouping the description in physical order—from base and pivot, up through shoulder and elbow, then wrist and gripper—would create a clearer sequence and make the relationships easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “mechanical arm,” “gripper,” “motors,” “flexibility” and “sensors,” so the reader can recognise the main subject and several components. There are also attempts at more descriptive phrasing, such as “responsible for controlling” and “serves as the main foundation.” However, word choice and spelling are often inaccurate or unnatural: “performances” is not suitable for the diagram’s functions, “well functioning” is awkward, and “buit-in” is misspelled. “Strong stationary base” also overstates what the diagram shows. Aim for precise technical terms and natural collocations, and check spelling carefully. A broader set of accurate verbs such as “rotate,” “raise,” “lower” and “operate” would help describe the components more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer sentences, including a relative clause in “a central computer which is responsible for controlling 3 motors.” Meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in agreement, verb forms and sentence construction recur. For example, “the mechanical arm consist” should use “consists,” while “a wrist and a shoulder which allows” needs a plural verb, “allow.” The phrase “one of them consisting of an elbow” is an incomplete and confusing construction, and “which is maintaining the balance” is an awkward tense choice in this context. Punctuation spacing is also inconsistent, with spaces before commas and a space before the final full stop. Use complete clauses and check subject–verb agreement when describing multiple parts.

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

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