Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-25

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 8.0)

The bar chart compares the percentages of Australian men and women in six different age groups who participated in regular physical activity in 2010.

Overall, women were more physically active than men in all age groups except for those aged 15 to 24. The highest proportion of active women was recorded among 45–54-year-olds, while the figure for men peaked among those aged 35–44.

Among people aged 15–24, 52.8% of men participated in regular physical activity, compared with 47.7% of women. However, this pattern was reversed in every subsequent age group. For those aged 25–34, the figures were 42.2% for men and 48.9% for women. The largest gender difference occurred among 35–44-year-olds, with 39.5% of men being active compared with 52.5% of women.

The proportion of active men then rose to 43.1% among 45–54-year-olds and 45.1% among those aged 55–64, before increasing slightly to 46.7% in the oldest group. In contrast, the percentage of active women remained relatively high, at 53.3% and 53.0% among the 45–54 and 55–64 age groups respectively, before falling to 47.1% among those aged 65 and over.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified the main features of the bar chart and provided a clear overview. You have made relevant comparisons between the genders across all age groups, such as noting the reversal of the trend after the 15–24 age bracket and highlighting the largest gender gap in the 35–44 category. The data is accurately reported and supports your summary effectively. You have fully addressed all parts of the task, and the information is well-selected to provide a concise yet comprehensive report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the introduction and overview to the specific details of the age groups. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'In contrast', and 'respectively', to link your points and manage the flow of information. The paragraphing is skillful, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is coherent and makes the information very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases like 'highest proportion', 'pattern was reversed', and 'remained relatively high' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language appropriate for an academic report. The use of 'respectively' is particularly well-placed to handle complex data comparisons. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition while maintaining clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'The largest gender difference occurred among 35–44-year-olds, with 39.5% of men being active compared with 52.5% of women.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, and the overall grammatical quality is very high, reflecting a strong command of English syntax.

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