Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-26

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The bar chart below shows the percentage of Australian men and women in different age groups who did regular physical activity in 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The bar chart illustrates the percentages of men and women in different age groups who engaged in regular physical activity in Australia in 2010.

Overall, the proportion of women who took regular physical exercise was higher than that of men in most age groups. While the figure for men fluctuated considerably across the age groups, the percentage for women generally increased until middle age before declining among those aged 65 and over.

Among people aged 15 to 24, men recorded the highest proportion of regular physical activity, at 52.8%, compared with 47.7% for women. However, the figure for men declined steadily over the next two age groups, reaching a low of 39.5% among those aged 35 to 44. In contrast, the percentage of women who exercised regularly rose gradually to 52.5% in the same age group.

Among 45- to 54-year-olds, the proportion of physically active men increased to 43.1%, while the figure for women continued to rise slightly to 53.3%. The percentage of women remained relatively stable among those aged 55 to 64, at around 53%, whereas the figure for men increased further to 45.1%. In the oldest age group, however, the proportion of physically active people declined for both genders, reaching 46.7% for men and 47.1% for women.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview that captures the main trends and successfully selected and reported key data points to support your summary. The comparisons between genders are well-integrated throughout the report, and the data is accurately represented. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the fluctuation in men's activity levels versus the more consistent trend in women's activity. The report is well-structured and covers all age groups, meeting the requirements for a Band 8 level of task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the overview and the detailed body paragraphs. Each paragraph has a clear focus, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'whereas' is effective and natural. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly between the different age groups. The referencing is clear, and the overall structure allows the reader to follow the comparison of data without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data accurately. Phrases like 'fluctuated considerably', 'declined steadily', and 'remained relatively stable' demonstrate a good command of descriptive language appropriate for an academic report. The vocabulary is precise and used with a high degree of control. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'proportion' or 'figure' could elevate the response further, but the current usage is already very effective and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures with a high level of accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'While the figure for men fluctuated considerably across the age groups, the percentage for women generally increased...', which are error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a strong grasp of English grammar suitable for this task.

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