Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-28

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 proportion of Australian males and females belonging to different age groups who exercised regularly in 2010.

Overall, the percentage of females who did regular physical activity rose across each age group, except the younger age group (15 to 24) where males out-numbered the females. The proportion of females and males in eldery age group (65 and over), only differ by 0.4%.

In 2010,among the 15 to 24 years age group,52.8% males and 47.7% females did regualr physical activity. The figure for males dropped to 42.2% and rose for females to 48.9% in younger age groups (25 to 34). In young age groups, 35 to 44, the number of males further declined to 39.5% while the number of females increased to 52.5%.

In age groups from 45 to 54, the figures for both males and females increased from 39.5% to 45.1% for males and from 52.5% to 53.5% for females. In age group

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and include several accurate figures, such as 52.8% of men versus 47.7% of women among 15–24-year-olds, and the female peak of 53.3% at ages 45–54. However, the overview is incomplete and partly inaccurate: female participation does not rise across every age group, since it falls to 47.1% among those aged 65 and over. The claim that the older groups differ by 0.4% is accurate, but it is not developed into a broader summary of the main pattern. The response also stops before reporting the 55–64 and 65+ figures or completing the final comparison, so the chart is only partially covered. Give a clear overview of the overall gender pattern and report the remaining key age-group comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable opening, overview and sequence of age-group comparisons, which gives it some organisation. The progression from ages 15–24 to 35–44 is easy to follow, and phrases such as “In 2010” and “In age groups from 45 to 54” signal shifts. However, the final paragraph ends abruptly at “In age group,” leaving the sequence and comparison unfinished. The overview also combines a broad trend claim with a separate older-age comparison without clearly establishing the main pattern. Some linking is repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “In age groups.” Organise the body into complete, clearly grouped comparisons and use transitions that show how the figures change across the age range.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of chart-related vocabulary, including “proportion,” “declined,” “increased,” and “figures,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “illustrates the proportion.” Some choices are inaccurate or awkward, however: “belonging to different age groups” does not naturally describe the people represented, and “the number of males” is less precise than a percentage-based term. Spelling errors such as “regualr” and “eldery” are noticeable, while “out-numbered” is not the standard form here. Use precise terms consistently and proofread spelling. For example, describe the groups as “men and women aged…” and refer to “the percentage” or “the proportion,” rather than “the number.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including the overview clause beginning “Overall” and the comparison sentence about the 25–34 age group. Meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in sentence construction and punctuation reduce control. For example, “The proportion of females and males in eldery age group … only differ” has an incomplete comparison structure and subject–verb agreement trouble; “In 2010,among…” also lacks spacing after the comma. The sentence beginning “In age groups from 45 to 54” is difficult to interpret because it says both figures increased “from 39.5% to 45.1%” without clearly distinguishing the male and female changes. The final fragment, “In age group,” is incomplete. Build complete sentences, check agreement and articles, and punctuate comparisons clearly.

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