Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-08

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 underneath illustrates the percentage of Australian men and women in various age groups who participated in regular physical activity in 2010. overall, both men and women engaged more in physical activity in their youthful age, around 15 to 24years. Notably, women between ages of 25 and above participated more than men in the same age bracket, age group 25 to 34 had 48.9% of female while their counterpart recorded 42.2%.

The number of females that did physical activity in age group 15 to 24 were 47.7% while more males participated recording 52.8%. In contrast, men between 25 to 34 of age engaged less in physical activity unlike the women who were higher with value of 48.9%. Notably, there was a significant drop in the number of men that were physically active among ages 35 to 44, from 42.2% to 39.5% while the number of women increased from 48.9% to 52.5%.

The percentage of women increased further until around ages 55 to 64 when the value started dropping while the number of men started increasing from a percentage of 43.1% after dropping from 52.8% in ages 15 to 24 and then 42.2% in ages 25 to 34 and to 39.5% in ages 35 to 44 and finally 43.1% in ages 45 to 54.

Old age had a significant effect on the level of physical activity done by both rthe men and women, but somehow the percentage of men were more between ages 65 and above. This could be because men began to seek more companioship and spent more time with friends outside home.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main comparison that women were more active than men across most age groups, while men led among 15–24-year-olds; you also report several figures accurately, including 52.8% and 47.7% for the youngest group and the 39.5% male figure at 35–44. However, the overview is inaccurate when it says both sexes were most active at 15–24: women peaked at 45–54, at 53.3%. The claim that women’s rate began dropping around 55–64 is also imprecise, as it falls only slightly there before dropping more clearly among those aged 65 and over. The final explanation about men seeking companionship is speculative and not supported by the chart. Prioritise a precise overview and chart-based comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an opening overview followed by age-group details, so the reader can identify its general subject and some comparisons. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the male figures from 15–24 through 45–54 are listed again in the final body paragraph after already being discussed. Linking phrases such as “Notably” and “In contrast” help signal comparisons, but “Notably” is repeated and some links do not clarify how the information relates. The final paragraph also shifts from reporting data to an unsupported explanation, disrupting the report’s focus. Group the figures into a clearer sequence—for example, youngest group, middle-age trends, then oldest group—and use references such as “this rate” only when their meaning is unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “participated,” “physically active,” “significant drop,” and “increased,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are, however, several awkward or imprecise choices for describing chart data. “Engaged more in physical activity in their youthful age” is unnatural, while “the number of females” suggests a count rather than a percentage. “Old age had a significant effect” makes a causal claim the chart cannot establish, and “companioship” is misspelled. Some phrasing is also repetitive, particularly repeated uses of “Notably” and “percentage.” Aim for concise, accurate terms such as “participation rate,” “rose,” “fell,” and “the oldest age group,” and avoid explanations that go beyond the data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including comparisons with “while” and “whereas”-type contrasts, and the main message is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain. For example, “both men and women engaged more” needs a clearer comparison, and “women between ages of 25 and above” has an incomplete age construction. In “The number of females … were 47.7%,” the subject and verb do not agree, and “age group 15 to 24 were” also needs a singular construction. There are inconsistent or missing articles and prepositions in phrases such as “in ages 15 to 24” and “between ages 65 and above.” Capitalise “Overall” after the opening full stop, and check sentence boundaries and agreement when revising.

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