Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Participation numbers in a British wildlife survey from 2001 to 2009: 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.
  • 173 words
  • Tables
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graph below shows the number of people taking part in a wildlife survey in Britain between 2001 and 2009.

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

Number of people taking part in a wildlife survey in Britain between 2001 and 2009
YearAdultChildrenTotal
200136,00012,00048,000
2003212,00036,000248,000
2005332,00032,000364,000
2007331,00031,000362,000
2009270,000270,000540,000

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 8173 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The table illustrates the number of adults and children who participated in a wildlife survey in Britain over the eight-year period from 2001 to 2009.

Overall, total participation in the wildlife survey experienced a significant upward trend, with adult involvement dominating the figures until a dramatic surge in child participation occurred in 2009.

In 2001, the survey began with a modest total of 48,000 participants, comprising 36,000 adults and 12,000 children. Participation grew rapidly by 2003, reaching 248,000, with adults accounting for the vast majority at 212,000. This upward trajectory continued for adults, peaking at 332,000 in 2005, while child participation remained relatively low, fluctuating between 31,000 and 36,000 during the 2003 to 2007 period.

By 2009, the data showed a notable shift. While adult participation declined to 270,000, the number of children taking part increased exponentially to 270,000, matching the adult figure exactly. Consequently, the total number of participants reached a period high of 540,000 in 2009, representing a substantial increase from the initial figures recorded at the start of the decade.

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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.
  • upward trend

    a general direction in which something is developing

  • dominating

    having a commanding influence on or over something

  • exponentially

    becoming more and more rapid over a time

  • fluctuating

    rising and falling irregularly in number or amount

  • trajectory

    the path followed by a development or trend

  • substantial

    of considerable importance, size, or worth

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, total participation in the wildlife survey experienced a significant upward trend, with adult involvement dominating the figures until a dramatic surge in child participation occurred in 2009.

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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