Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-04
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 the proportion of Australian men and women of different age groups doing regular physical activity in the year 2010. The age group is between 15 to 65 years and over. Here, it can be seen that the men of age group 15 to 24 did physical activity the most while women of age group 45-54 did physical activity the most; while the age group from 35 to 44 in men have done the least physical activity and that in women the age group with least physical activity is 65 and over.
Men in all the given age groups have done comparatively less physical activity that women in all the age groups. the percentage of men doing regular activities decreased about 7% concluding all the age groups and that the percentage of women doing regular activities increased with age groups but it showed a gradual decrease in the age groups of 65 and over.
Hence, it can be concluded that Australian women were more physically active than men in the year 2010.
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 chart, identifying the age groups with the highest and lowest participation rates for both genders. However, the analysis is somewhat inaccurate in its interpretation of the data. For instance, the claim that 'men in all the given age groups have done comparatively less physical activity than women' is factually incorrect based on the provided chart, where men often show higher percentages in certain age brackets. Additionally, the statement regarding the percentage of men decreasing by 7% is vague and lacks clear supporting data from the chart. To improve, ensure that comparisons are precise and directly supported by the figures provided in the visual aid.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. There is a logical progression from the introduction to the body and the conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'age group' and 'physical activity'. The transition between the first and second paragraphs is abrupt. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'that in women') is clearer and more natural to improve the flow of ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'did physical activity' are used repeatedly throughout the text. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety limits the score. To improve, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'participation rates', 'engagement in exercise', or 'a significant disparity', and avoid repeating the same phrases in every sentence.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the writing. For example, 'men of age group 15 to 24 did physical activity the most' is slightly awkward, and 'less physical activity that women' contains a preposition error ('than' should be used). There are also issues with capitalization, such as starting a sentence with 'the percentage'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and correct comparative structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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