Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-13

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 illustrates the ratio of Australian men and women in 2010 doing regular physical activity in different age groups.

Overall, the most noticeable feature is highest percentage of women in age group 45 to 54 and lowest in 65 and over. Whereas it shows maximum ratio of men in age group 15 to 24 and least in age group of 35 to 44.

In detail, the ratio of physical activity for men was at its peak for age group 15 to 24 which was 52.8 and for women it was moderate which was 47.7 similiar to the age group 65 and over which was 47.1. Also, for men it showed less which was 46.7. However, for age group 55 to 64 and 45 to 54 almost showed similiar rose for women it was 53 and 53.3, for men it was 45.1 and 43.1 respectively.

Subsequently, age group 35 to 44 showed rapid increase for women which was 52.5 and for men it showed the lowest which was 39.5. Furthermore, for age group 25 to 34 women showed the slightest increase which was 48.9 and men showed a rise of 42.2.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the chart’s main comparisons and give a clear overview: men peak among 15–24-year-olds and reach their low among 35–44-year-olds, while women are highest in the middle age groups and lowest among those aged 65 and over. Most figures are accurately reported, including 52.8%, 39.5%, and 53.3%. However, the overview says women’s highest figure is for ages 45–54, although the chart’s maximum is 53.3% in that group, only slightly above 53% for ages 55–64; this is accurate but could be expressed more precisely. Some details are unclear or underdeveloped, particularly the comparisons for ages 25–34 and 65 and over. A sharper overview of the gender pattern across age groups would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and two detail paragraphs. The age-group comparisons are generally grouped sensibly, and transitions such as “Overall” and “Furthermore” help signal movement between points. However, progression within the detail paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow: the sentence beginning “Also, for men it showed less” does not clearly identify the comparison, and the discussion moves between age groups without a consistent sequence. “Subsequently” also suggests a time sequence that is not relevant to these categories. Use a clear order, such as youngest to oldest, and connect each male figure directly with its female counterpart. This would make the organisation more coherent and reduce the need for the reader to infer relationships.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “age group,” “peak,” and “lowest,” and the meaning is usually recoverable. There is some attempt to vary expression, but several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing data. For example, “ratio” is not the right term for percentages, and “moderate” does not clearly describe the 47.7% figure. Phrases such as “showed rapid increase” and “showed the slightest increase” imply changes over time, whereas the chart compares separate age groups. Spelling errors such as “similiar” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise reporting verbs and comparison language, such as “stood at,” “was higher than,” and “recorded the highest proportion.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including the contrast introduced by “Whereas” and clauses beginning “which was.” However, some sentence structures are incomplete or awkward, which sometimes makes relationships between figures unclear. For instance, “Overall, the most noticeable feature is highest percentage of women…” lacks an article and a clear grammatical subject, while “for age group 55 to 64 and 45 to 54 almost showed similiar rose” is difficult to parse. There are also issues with articles and agreement, as in “for age group” and “women it was 53 and 53.3.” Use complete clauses with explicit subjects, and check articles, verb forms, and punctuation. More controlled complex sentences would improve clarity.

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