Academic Writing Task 1 · table

International student numbers in Canada and the USA across two years: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 table question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about tables.
  • 182 words
  • Tables
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The two tables below show the number of international students from different resource countries in Canada and the USA in two school years.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

International students in Canada
Resource Country2002-20032003-2004Change
China54007850+ 45%
The USA50005450+ 9%
India21002835+ 35%
Total5987070004+ 17%
International students in The USA
Resource Country2002-20032003-2004Change
India200,000182,000-9%
China110,000116600+ 6%
Canada3100033170+ 7%
Total581,600570000-2%

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8182 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The tables compare the number of international students from three specific countries in Canada and the USA during the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 academic years. Overall, Canada saw a positive trend in student numbers from all listed nations, whereas the USA experienced a slight overall decrease.

In Canada, the total number of international students rose by 17%, reaching 70,004 in 2003-2004. China showed the most dramatic growth, increasing by 45% from 5,400 to 7,850 students. India also saw a substantial rise of 35%, growing from 2,100 to 2,835. The number of students from the USA in Canada grew more modestly, by 9%, rising from 5,000 to 5,450.

Conversely, the USA experienced a 2% decline in total international students, falling to 570,000. This was primarily due to a 9% decrease in students from India, which dropped from 200,000 to 182,000. In contrast, the number of students from China and Canada studying in the USA increased, rising by 6% and 7% respectively. By 2003-2004, there were 116,600 Chinese students and 33,170 Canadian students in the USA, representing a steady upward trend for these two groups.

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Tables

How to write about tables: tips and vocabulary

  • →Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself.
  • →Select; do not list every cell.
  • →Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.
  • dramatic

    a very sudden or noticeable change in size

  • modestly

    a small or limited amount of change

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that contrasts with previous information

  • decline

    a gradual decrease in the number of items

  • substantial

    a large or significant amount of change

  • upward trend

    a general direction in which something is increasing

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While Canada experienced growth in international student numbers across all listed countries, the USA saw an overall decline, largely driven by a significant drop in students from India.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe tables?+

Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself. Select; do not list every cell. Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.

Keep practising

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