Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-15

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 male and female in various age groups who did everyday physical activity in 2010.

Overall, male category increased over the age. Male accounted for the highest ratio for physical activities and steadily declined with increased age, whereas female had the lowest ration but steadily increased with increased age.

Male group had the largest proportion in the age of 45 to 54 at 53.3% and lowest ratio was 47.7% at age 15 to 24, female accounted the highest at the 15 to 24 age group at 52.8% and declined with decreased age reached 46.7%.

The 55 to 65 age group represented the most percentage of female 53%, while male at the lowest ratio 45.1%. The 65 and over age group of male stood at 46.7% and female stood at 47.1%. Female category started with lowest ratio and increased with age group, whereas male category started with 52.8% and declined with increased age.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response attempts an overview and selects several comparisons, but the main trends and figures are repeatedly misreported, which makes the account only partially accurate. For example, men did not steadily decline with age: their rate fell from 52.8% among 15–24-year-olds to 39.5% at 35–44, then rose to 46.7% among those aged 65 and over. Women did not start at the lowest rate and steadily increase either; their figure peaked at 53.3% for ages 45–54 before falling. The response also swaps key values and sexes: 53.3% belongs to women aged 45–54, not men, and 52.8% belongs to young men, not women. Focus on accurate overall patterns and verify each figure against the chart.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a recognisable paragraph structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs, so the reader can identify its intended sections. However, ideas do not progress clearly because the overview is repeated and the comparisons are difficult to follow. The claim that men “steadily declined” is repeated in the final sentence, while the body gives conflicting descriptions of which sex had the highest and lowest rates. Some sentences also combine comparisons without clear links, such as “female accounted the highest … and declined with decreased age reached 46.7%.” Organise the details by age pattern or by sex, and use accurate references such as “by contrast” only when the data supports them. This would make the progression more coherent and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses a basic range of task-related vocabulary, including “proportion,” “age groups,” “declined” and “increased,” and the meaning is generally recoverable. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, limiting precision. “Everyday physical activity” does not clearly convey the chart’s measure of regular activity, while “highest ratio” and “lowest ration” are unsuitable or incorrectly formed expressions for percentages. “Male category” and “female category” are also repeated instead of using more natural terms such as “men” and “women.” Aim for precise chart language and vary expressions for describing rates and trends. Check word forms and spelling, particularly “ration,” so that vocabulary errors do not distract from the comparisons.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer sentences and uses basic past-tense reporting, but its grammatical range is limited and errors recur in sentence construction. For example, “male and female” needs plural nouns or a suitable determiner, and “Male accounted for the highest ratio” lacks a clear grammatical subject. The clause “female accounted the highest … and declined with decreased age reached 46.7%” has faulty verb patterns and does not clearly connect its actions. There are also problems with articles and prepositions in phrases such as “in the age of 45 to 54” and “at the 15 to 24 age group.” Use complete, parallel comparisons—for example, “The rate for men was highest among…”—and check agreement and clause boundaries. These changes would make the intended meaning easier to follow.

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