Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-10

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 8.5)

The bar chart compares the proportion of Australian men and women across six different age brackets who participated in regular physical activity in the year 2010.Overall, it is clear that women were generally more active than men in most age groups, except for the youngest category. Additionally, while the percentage of active men experienced a dip in middle age before recovering, women maintained a more stable and higher level of participation throughout their adult years.Looking at the details, the youngest cohort (aged 15 to 24) was the only group where men outnumbered women, with 52.8% of males engaging in regular exercise compared to 47.7% of females. However, this trend reversed dramatically in the subsequent age groups. For the 25-to-34 category, the female participation rate rose to 48.9%, while the male figure dropped significantly to 42.2%.This gap widened further in middle age. The lowest activity rate for men was recorded in the 35–44 age group at 39.5%, whereas women reached their highest participation levels during their mid-adult years, peaking at 53.3% in the 45–54 age bracket. As the population aged, the figures began to converge again. By the age of 65 and over, the gap between genders almost closed entirely, with 47.1% of women and 46.7% of men maintaining a routine of regular physical activity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified the main features of the bar chart, including the gender-based trends and the age-specific variations. Your overview clearly highlights the key difference between the youngest age group and the rest of the population. You have supported your summary with accurate data points, such as the 52.8% male participation in the 15-24 age group and the 53.3% peak for women in the 45-54 bracket. The comparison between genders is consistent and well-integrated throughout the report, fulfilling all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Additionally', 'However', and 'As the population aged', which help the reader follow the narrative smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The transition between the general trends and the specific data points is seamless, and the referencing is precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases like 'subsequent age groups', 'trend reversed dramatically', and 'figures began to converge' show a high level of control and precision. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contextually appropriate for an academic report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and fluent throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing displays a high degree of grammatical accuracy and a wide range of complex structures. You have used a variety of sentence types, including subordinate clauses and comparative structures, with consistent control. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the few minor slips that might occur in such a text are absent here, reflecting a very high level of proficiency.

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