Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-11-03

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 process diagram illustrates the performance of mechanical arm and how the joints that makeup the arm function in the same way as those in human arm.

Overall, In the process diagram the three motors are under the control of computer. The diagram shows the important parts of structure including elbow, gripper, wrist ,pivot, shoulder.

Initially, the three motors are controlled by computer and these motors have different significant functions.The first motor is connected to base,the second motor is connected to elbow and the third motor is connected to gripper in order to give them support in performing their activities efficiently.

The different parts have different performances in building a structure.For instance,elbow allows the movement and gives flexibility, gripper built in sensors and control the force, pivot enables the arm to rotate, the wrist allows the gripper(or alternative end-effector) to flex or rotate. At last the shoulder raises the lowers arm. The base is usually stationary or occasionally movable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram’s subject and include several relevant functions, such as the elbow providing flexibility and the pivot enabling rotation. However, the account only partially covers the visual: it omits the alternative end-effectors and their uses, and the overview does not explain the arm’s overall arrangement or how its components work together. There are also factual inaccuracies: the first motor is not shown connected to the base, and the second is not connected to the elbow; the diagram links the motors respectively to the elbow, arm section near the wrist, and gripper. The response is also one word below the 150-word minimum, with 10 words copied from the prompt excluded from the count. Add a fuller overview and accurately describe the connections.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the motors and component functions. This gives the reader some organisation, and phrases such as “Initially” and “For instance” signal relationships between ideas. However, progression is limited because the description does not consistently follow the diagram’s physical layout, and the motor connections are presented inaccurately. Some links are also mechanical or unclear, particularly “The different parts have different performances in building a structure,” which does not clearly introduce the list of functions. Improve cohesion by grouping the control system, the arm’s structure, and the end-effectors, then describing them in a consistent order with precise referencing.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant technical vocabulary, including “motors,” “elbow,” “gripper,” “pivot,” and “end-effector,” and several function descriptions are understandable. However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are imprecise, such as “performance of mechanical arm,” “different significant functions,” and “different performances in building a structure.” “Give them support in performing their activities efficiently” is also vague and does not accurately describe the diagram. Use more precise process language, for example, explain that motors control or operate particular joints and that the gripper’s sensors regulate force. Check forms and spelling in “makeup” and “built in,” and avoid repeating “different” where a more specific term would clarify the meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer sentences, and the component functions are generally expressed in a way the reader can follow. However, control is uneven, especially with articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries. Examples include “performance of mechanical arm” and “in the same way as those in human arm,” which need articles, and “the shoulder raises the lowers arm,” where the verb phrase is malformed. In “gripper built in sensors and control the force,” the sentence lacks a clear finite verb structure and agreement. Capitalisation and spacing around punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “Overall, In” and “wrist ,pivot.” Aim for complete, accurately punctuated sentences and check articles and verb forms when describing each part.

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

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