IELTS Computer Delivered Tests + Band Score

Task 1 Table for IELTS

Below is an IELTS Writing Task 1 Table. Below the table is a model answer.

With a table, you need to do much the same as you would for any other question that requires you to write about data.

In this case, the table is over time, so you would treat it like a line graph and describe the changes.

Task 1 Table

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table shows the Proportions of Pupils Attending Four Secondary School Types Between Between 2000 and 2009.

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

Write at least 150 words.

 

Secondary School Attendance

 

2000

 2005

 2009

Specialist Schools
12%
11%
10%
Grammar Schools
24%
19%
12%
Voluntary-controlled  Schools
52%
38%
20%
Community Schools
12%
32%
58%

 

Model Answer

The table illustrates the percentage of school children attending four different types of secondary school from 2000 to 2009. It is evident that whereas the community schools experienced a marked increase in the proportion of those attending their institutions over the period, the others saw a corresponding decline.

To begin, the percentage of pupils in voluntary-controlled schools fell from just over half to only 20% or one fifth from 2000 to 2009. Similarly, the relative number of children in grammar schools - just under one quarter - dropped by half in the same period. As for the specialist schools, the relatively small percentage of pupils attending this type of school (12%) also fell, although not significantly.

However, while the other three types of school declined in importance, the opposite was true in the case of community schools. In fact, whereas only a small minority of 12% were educated in these schools in 2000, this figure increased to well over half of all pupils during the following nine years.

(170 Words)

Comments

This task 1 table answer would get a good score for several reasons.

Firstly, there is a clear overview which points out the main trends:

It is evident that whereas the community schools experienced a marked increase in the proportion of those attending their institutions over the period, the others saw a corresponding decline.

It also meets the requirements of the task, as data is selected appropriately to describe some of the trends. Also, there are plenty of comparisons made between the data.

The data is organised clearly and coherently, in this case by firstly describing the schools that had a drop in attendance and then describing the one that saw on increase. 

There is evidence of the ability to use some complex sentences and structures. For instance:

  • whereas the community schools...
  • the relatively small percentage of pupils attending this type of school (12%) also fell...
  • while the other three types of school...

Also the writer in this task 1 table can write flexibly about numbers and change, for example:

  • just over half to only 20% or one fifth from
  • this figure increased to well over half of all pupils

More on IELTS Tables:


Join IELTS buddy for Free IELTS Tips!

Comments

Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.


Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

ielts buddy ebooks