Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-27

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 proportion of Australian men and women across six age brackets who engaged in regular physical activity in 2010.

Overall, participation rates were fairly similar between the sexes, though the pattern reverses partway through the age range: men were more physically active than women in the two youngest groups, whereas women exceeded men across the middle age brackets, before the figures converged again among the elderly.

Among 15- to 24-year-olds, 52.8% of men engaged in regular exercise compared with 47.7% of women, and a comparable gap persisted in the 25-34 bracket, where 48.9% of men were active versus 42.2% of women — the widest disparity in the entire dataset.

This trend reversed from age 35 onwards. In the 35-44 group, women's participation rose to 52.5%, notably higher than men's 39.5%, which was the lowest figure recorded for either sex. Women continued to lead in the 45-54 and 55-64 brackets, with rates of 53.3% and 53% respectively, while men's figures remained comparatively subdued at around 43-45%.

Finally, among those aged 65 and over, the gap narrowed considerably, with 46.7% of men and 47.1% of women reporting regular activity — the closest margin observed across all age groups.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of the data, including the overall trends and the specific crossover points between the age groups. The comparison between men and women is consistent throughout the report, and you have effectively used the provided data to support your observations. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the main patterns, such as the reversal of the trend after age 35. All parts of the prompt are addressed thoroughly, and the selection of data is relevant and accurate, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

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 age-based comparisons. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'whereas', 'this trend reversed', and 'finally', which help the reader follow the argument without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the analysis. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the different data points is clearly articulated, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary suitable for an academic report. Phrases such as 'widest disparity', 'comparatively subdued', and 'figures converged' show a sophisticated command of language. The use of terminology is accurate and contextually appropriate. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition while maintaining clarity. The language used is natural and contributes significantly to the overall professional tone of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and accurate use of comparative forms. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. You have successfully integrated data into your sentences without sacrificing grammatical integrity. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high. The use of varied sentence structures, such as the participial phrase 'reporting regular activity', demonstrates a high level of grammatical flexibility.

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

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