Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-30

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)

This is bar chart of Australian men and women in different age groups who did regular physical activity in 2010. Let's summarize the information given to us.

We have given the data of 6 different age groups. From 15-24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, and 65 and over.

This first age group ranges from 15 to 24, the men exercised more than women, 52.8% to 47.7% ratio. As compared to this, in the very next group the completely opposite trend we got to see 6% more women exercised than men.

The percentages of men exercised got decreased gradually as we move to the right of the graph. So as the men age increased their regular physical activity decreases in 2010.

In the highest age group, there isn't much variation in the percentages of men's and women's physical activity. They almost acquire the same position in the graph.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the chart, but it lacks a clear overview. An effective summary should highlight the overall trends, such as the general decline in physical activity with age or the gender differences observed. The current response focuses on individual age groups without synthesizing the data into a cohesive report. Furthermore, the introduction is informal and includes unnecessary meta-commentary ('Let's summarize the information given to us'), which is not appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, ensure you provide a clear, objective overview of the main trends in the second paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into short paragraphs, but the logical flow between them is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as 'As compared to this' and 'So as the men age increased'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the transition between the description of specific age groups and the general trend is abrupt. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that contributes to the overall progression of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. Phrases like 'acquire the same position' and 'the percentages of men exercised got decreased' are unnatural and imprecise. There is a reliance on basic vocabulary, and the attempt to describe trends is hindered by awkward phrasing. To improve, focus on using more academic collocations, such as 'showed a downward trend' instead of 'got decreased', and ensure that terms related to data (e.g., 'proportion', 'fluctuation', 'decline') are used accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'This is bar chart' (missing article), 'we have given the data' (incorrect passive voice), and 'as the men age increased' (incorrect word form). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the sentence structure is often repetitive. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Additionally, try to incorporate more varied sentence structures to demonstrate better control over complex grammar.

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

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