Prompt
Task 1 – Weekly exercise by age group
The bar chart below compares the average number of hours per week that people in four age groups spent on exercise in one country in 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Band 9 sample answer
Band 9 sample answer
The bar chart illustrates the average number of hours per week that people in four age brackets exercised in a particular country in 2010.
Overall, time spent on exercise declined steadily with age. Young adults aged 15–24 recorded the highest weekly figure, whereas the over-50s exercised the least.
In detail, those in the 15–24 group spent around 8.5–9 hours per week exercising. This was well above the amount for 25–34-year-olds, at just over 5 hours, meaning the youngest cohort did roughly three to four extra hours of exercise each week.
Participation fell further among middle-aged adults. People aged 35–49 averaged about 3.5 hours weekly, which is around 1.5 hours less than the 25–34 group and close to two-fifths of the youngest group’s total.
Finally, individuals aged 50 and above devoted the smallest amount of time to physical activity, at a little over 2 hours per week. Compared with 15–24-year-olds, this represents a drop of more than six hours, underlining the negative relationship between age and average exercise time in 2010.
Verified word count: 177
Why this answer works
explanation
It paraphrases the task clearly, provides a decisive overview of the main trend (a steady decline by age), and then reports key values with meaningful comparisons (largest gaps and step-by-step decreases) using accurate approximations.
what this question tests
This Task 1 assesses your ability to summarise and compare data from a bar chart, highlight overall trends, and support key points with accurate figures and clear comparisons.
Useful vocabulary and phrases
declined steadily with age
Summarises the main trend succinctly in academic style.
Overall, weekly exercise declined steadily with age.
recorded the highest figure
Highlights extremes clearly, aiding comparisons.
The 15–24 group recorded the highest figure.
well above
Gives a natural, concise comparison.
This was well above the amount for 25–34-year-olds.
averaged about
Allows accurate reporting when values are approximate.
People aged 35–49 averaged about 3.5 hours weekly.
devoted the smallest amount of time
Varies vocabulary beyond repeating “spent”.
The over-50s devoted the smallest amount of time to exercise.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Omitting an Overview paragraph that summarises the main trend.
- Listing every number without making comparisons or highlighting extremes.
- Using imprecise language like “a lot” instead of quantified differences.
- Misreading approximate bar heights (e.g., confusing ~3.5 with ~4).
- Writing under 150 words or including irrelevant explanations about causes.
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