The chart below illustrates data on Europeans from various age groups who attended a gym once a month or more between 1990 and 2010.

Europeans Different Age Groups Gym Attendance 1990-2010 Chart - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 214 words.

The line graph compares the percentage of people in Europe from four different age categories who visited a gym at least once a month over a 20-year period, starting from 1990.

Overall, it is clear that gym attendance increased across all age groups throughout the period. The most significant growth was observed in the younger demographics, particularly the 18–24 age group, which emerged as the most active by the end of the timeframe. Conversely, the "45 and over" category consistently showed the lowest rates of participation.

In 1990, gym-going was relatively uncommon; all groups started below 10%. The 25–34 group was initially the most active at approximately 9%, slightly ahead of the 18–24 cohort. However, after 1998, the youngest group (18–24) saw a dramatic surge, overtaking all other categories. Despite a slight dip between 2006 and 2008, their attendance peaked at nearly 60% by 2010.

The 25–34 age group followed a steadier upward trend, reaching exactly 50% by the final year. Meanwhile, the 35–44 demographic remained stable at around 10-15% until 2002, after which it experienced a sharp rise to finish at 40%. In contrast, although participation among those aged 45 and over more than quadrupled, it remained the least active group, rising from a mere 3% in 1990 to roughly 20% in 2010.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional response that demonstrates a Band 9 level of proficiency. It provides a clear, high-level overview followed by detailed, accurate data analysis, all conveyed through sophisticated and error-free language.

Task Achievement - 9

- The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task by providing a comprehensive overview and detailed data support. - Key features, such as the starting points below 10%, the 18-24 group's surge, and the final positions of all cohorts, are skillfully selected and highlighted. - Data comparisons are precise and used effectively to illustrate trends rather than just listing numbers.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- The information is logically sequenced; it moves from a general overview to specific group comparisons with effortless progression. - Cohesive devices (e.g., 'Conversely', 'Despite a slight dip', 'In contrast') are used so naturally that they are almost invisible to the reader. - Paragraphing is managed expertly, separating the summary/overview from the detailed chronological and group-based analysis.

Lexical Resource - 9

- The vocabulary is sophisticated and varied, using terms like 'demographics', 'cohort', 'quadrupled', and 'surge' with high precision. - Natural collocations ('dramatic surge', 'steadier upward trend') are used throughout, demonstrating a native-like control of the language. - There are no errors in spelling or word formation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex structures is used with full flexibility, such as subordinate clauses ('which emerged as...', 'after which it experienced...') and participial phrases. - The majority of sentences are error-free, with accurate use of tenses to describe historical data. - Punctuation is used correctly to enhance the clarity of complex data descriptions.

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