Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Top ten countries ranked by number of Internet users in 2016: 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.
  • 193 words
  • Tables
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The table data below shows the top ten Internet users by country in 2016.

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

Top ten countries by Internet users in 2016
PositionCountryInternet usersInternet users (% of population)Total population
1China721,434,54752.2 %1,382,323,332
2India462,124,98934.8 %1,326,801,576
3U.S.286,942,36288.5 %324,118,787
4Brazil139,111,18566.4 %209,567,920
5Japan115,111,59591.1 %126,323,715
6Russia102,258,25671.3 %143,439,832
7Nigeria86,219,96546.1 %186,987,563
8Germany71,016,60588 %80,682,351
9U.K.60,273,38592.6 %65,111,143
10Mexico58,016,99745.1 %128,632,004

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 8193 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The table illustrates the ten countries with the largest number of Internet users in 2016, providing data on total user counts, population percentages, and overall population figures.

Overall, China and India dominated in terms of absolute user numbers, whereas developed nations like the U.K. and Japan exhibited significantly higher Internet penetration rates relative to their total populations.

China led the rankings with 721,434,547 Internet users, representing 52.2% of its population. India followed in second place with 462,124,989 users, although this accounted for a much lower proportion of 34.8%. The U.S. ranked third with 286,942,362 users, reflecting a high penetration rate of 88.5%. Brazil and Japan occupied the fourth and fifth positions, with 139,111,185 and 115,111,595 users respectively, with Japan showing a notably high penetration of 91.1%.

In the lower half of the table, Russia, Nigeria, and Germany had user bases ranging from approximately 71 million to 102 million. Notably, the U.K. had the highest penetration rate on the list at 92.6%, despite having the smallest total population of the group at 65,111,143. Conversely, Mexico, while ranking tenth with 58,016,997 users, had one of the lowest penetration rates at 45.1%, similar to Nigeria's 46.1%.

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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.
  • dominated

    had a much larger presence than others

  • penetration rates

    the proportion of a population using a service

  • absolute

    total numbers rather than relative percentages

  • exhibited

    showed or displayed a particular quality

  • notably

    in a way that is worthy of attention

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that contrasts with previous information

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

China and India had the highest number of Internet users, while the U.K. and Japan recorded the highest penetration rates among the top ten nations.

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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