Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-11

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 5.0)

The bar chart illustrates the proportion of Australian men and women who participated in physical activity in 2010.

Overall, it is evident that the men were more phycally active that women across majority of the age categories, except for those aged 65 and over where both genders had equal participation.

In the 15 to 24 age group, 52.8% of men were active compared to 47.7 of women. This pattern continued for the 25 to 34 age group, where 48.9 of men exercised, while 42.2 of women participated. Among Australians aged 35 to 64, the participation slightly increased in 2010.

The individuals in 65 and over age category, the percentage of both genders decreased, accounting for 47.1 of men active, similarly 46.7 of women did, almost making the figures identical.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and attempts an overview, but its central comparison is inaccurate: men were not more active in most age groups. Women had higher rates from ages 25–34 through 65 and over, while men led only among 15–24-year-olds. The claim that the oldest group had equal participation is also incorrect; the figures were close, at 46.7% for men and 47.1% for women. Several details are misassigned: for ages 25–34, the response gives 48.9% for men and 42.2% for women, reversing the chart’s values. The statement about activity increasing among those aged 35–64 is too vague and misses the gender pattern. The response is also 21 words below the required minimum. Select accurate key comparisons and report them clearly to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and a paragraph of details. The age groups provide a basic sequence, and phrases such as “Overall” and “In the 15 to 24 age group” help signal the stages. However, the progression is weakened by inaccurate comparisons and by grouping ages 35–64 without explaining the figures for each group. The final sentence begins with a fragment-like construction, “The individuals in 65 and over age category,” and the link between the decrease and the near-equal figures is unclear. Use separate, logically grouped comparisons and clearer referencing—for example, contrast the male and female trends across the middle age groups—so the reader can follow the chart’s main pattern without having to infer it.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for describing a bar chart, with relevant terms such as “proportion,” “participated,” “age group” and “percentage.” There is some variation in how activity is described, including “were active” and “exercised.” However, several choices are imprecise or awkward: “participation slightly increased” does not specify whose rate changed, and “accounting for 47.1 of men active” is not a natural way to report a percentage. The spelling error “phycally” and missing percent signs after 47.7, 48.9 and other figures also reduce accuracy and clarity. Aim for precise chart language, such as “the proportion of women rose” or “the rate stood at 47.1%,” and check spelling and numerical notation carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple statements and more complex forms, including a relative clause in “where 48.9 of men exercised” and a comparison with “compared to.” Most sentences communicate a basic meaning, but some grammatical problems make relationships unclear. “More … that women” has an incorrect comparative structure, while “across majority of the age categories” is missing an article. The final sentence, “The individuals in 65 and over age category, the percentage of both genders decreased,” is not a complete, well-formed sentence; it needs a clear subject and verb, such as “In the 65-and-over group, the rates were similar.” There are also awkward clause connections and punctuation choices. Practise accurate comparative structures and complete sentences while retaining some complex forms.

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

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