Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-07
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 5.5)
The bar graph illustrates the proportion of Australian men and women in different age groups who performed physical activity in 2010.
Overall, the majority of females were involved in physical activity throughout different age groups. Although Australian men's and women's engagement in physical activity of different age groups was different, almost an equal proportion of people in the age group of 65 and over did regular physical activity. Women of age group 45 to 54 were the highest percentage that did consistent physical activity.
Regarding the age group 15 to 24, 52.8 percent of men did everyday physical activity, whereas the females' proportion was 47.7 percent. Males aged 65 and over were more consistent than males of the group aged 35 to 44.
Females aged 35 to 64 shared a similar pattern and were most consistent. The proportion of men and women of age group 55 to 64 was 45.1 and 53 percent, respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides a clear overview and selects key features, such as the peak age group for women and the comparison at 65+. However, the report lacks a comprehensive analysis of the data. While it mentions specific percentages, it fails to highlight the overall trend that women generally participate more than men in older age groups, while men participate more in the youngest group. The comparison is somewhat fragmented, and some data points are presented without sufficient context or synthesis. To reach a higher band, ensure that all significant trends are clearly contrasted and that the relationship between the variables is fully explored.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific age groups. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Regarding' and 'whereas', which help guide the reader. However, the transition between ideas is sometimes mechanical, and the flow could be improved by using more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the comparisons between genders. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal structure of the body paragraphs could be more cohesive to better highlight the comparative nature of the task.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'proportion', 'engagement', and 'consistent' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'did regular physical activity' are repeated multiple times, which detracts from the lexical variety. To improve, you should incorporate more precise synonyms or varied collocations related to data reporting, such as 'participation rates', 'levels of activity', or 'demonstrated a higher propensity for'. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning but lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'Women of age group 45 to 54 were the highest percentage that did consistent physical activity', which is slightly awkward; it would be more accurate to say 'Women in the 45 to 54 age group had the highest participation rate'. Additionally, there are minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more consistent control over complex structures to reach a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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