Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-01
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 chart compares males and females of different ages involved in exercises on a daily routine in 2010 in Australia.
A clear trend that emerges from the data is that women were more active in almost all ages except a few and only at old age both groups had a minor difference.
Although, males in their youth were quite active but women weren't that behind much. Whereas in the age between 25 to 34 females were found more energetic than men and this trend goes on. Moreover, after the age of 25 men were just lacking behind and women got the upper hand. And in the age of 35 to 44 the difference got so greater that only 39.5% of men were involved in physical activity compared to 52.5% of women.
But after that men in the age of 45 to 54 cover some difference whereas, the women were only standing on 53% in the next age group as well. On the other hand, in the last age group when both teams are old both are at a similar situation.
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 covers the main features of the data, such as the general trend of women being more active and the specific comparison in the 35-44 age group. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear, structured overview. The description of the data is occasionally imprecise, such as referring to 'old age' without specifying the age range, and the mention of 'teams' is inappropriate for a data report. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are clearly linked to their respective age categories and avoid informal language. The report identifies key trends but could benefit from more precise data selection to support the comparisons made.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as the repetitive use of 'and' to start sentences or the phrase 'this trend goes on'. The logical progression is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as 'men were just lacking behind'. While the paragraphing is sufficient, the internal flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'this trend') is clearly tied to the preceding point.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. Phrases like 'women weren't that behind much' and 'women got the upper hand' are informal and not ideal for an Academic Task 1 report. The term 'teams' is incorrectly used to describe age groups. While the student successfully uses some numerical data, the range of vocabulary is limited, and there is a reliance on basic descriptive language. To improve, focus on using more academic collocations and precise terminology related to trends and data comparison.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the difference got so greater' (should be 'greater') and 'men in the age of 45 to 54 cover some difference' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are instances of awkward syntax that slightly impede the flow of information. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of errors in sentence construction and word choice prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and more accurate comparative structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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