An IELTS Writing Task 1 table task asks Academic candidates to describe the data in a table in their own words, writing at least 150 words and spending about 20 minutes on the task. The table is one of the visual types Task 1 can use, next to graphs, charts and diagrams of an object, device, process or event. Most of the work happens before writing: reading the rows and columns for the highest, lowest and most striking differences, then turning those findings into a short overview and two focused body paragraphs.
Preparation works best in the same order as the answer itself: scan the table, choose groupings, write the overview, compare figures and select which numbers to quote. Examiners mark the result against four criteria, Task achievement/response, Coherence and cohesion, Lexical resource, and Grammatical range and accuracy, and an original model answer later on shows how those criteria apply to a table.
What does a table task look like in Academic Writing Task 1?
A table task gives you rows and columns of data to describe in your own words, as one of the visual types Task 1 can set. The task may present one or more graphs, charts or tables, so you may meet a single table or several visuals together. The Academic Writing paper lasts 60 minutes, with about 20 minutes suggested for Task 1 and about 40 for Task 2. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score, which is why a table answer needs to be efficient as well as accurate.
How should a table be scanned before writing?
Scan the table for the highest and lowest values, the biggest and smallest differences and any exception to the general pattern before writing a sentence. Start with the title, the units and the headings, because percentages, thousands and amounts of money call for different wording.
Then read across each row and down each column, marking the top and bottom figure in each. Finally, note the largest gap between two groups and the one figure that breaks the pattern. These notes become your overview and your body paragraphs.
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Enquire about this tutorWhat should be grouped in the body paragraphs?
Group the body paragraphs by a feature the table shows, such as categories that rise in one paragraph and categories that fall in the other. Two body paragraphs are usually enough to highlight, describe and compare the key features.
In a table with age groups and types of transport, for example, one paragraph might cover the groups where a category is highest and the other the groups where it is lowest. Compare items that are similar, because similar items allow more comparison and contrast language than opposite ones.
How does a candidate write an overview from a table?
An overview is a single sentence stating the main differences or the general pattern in the table, with no need for figures or for every category. Take it from your scan: name the category that leads, the one that trails and the clearest contrast between groups.
A common structure runs introduction, overview and two body paragraphs, which gives the four parts IDP recommends. IDP allows the overview either at the end of the introduction or after the body paragraphs, and there should be only one. Placing it straight after the introduction leaves the body paragraphs free for detail.
Which comparison language works for tables?
Comparison language shows how one figure relates to another, so a table answer relies on it for most of its sentences. Vary the structures so the description does not become robotic, and attach each one to a figure that matters.
Lexical resource and Grammatical range and accuracy are the criteria that reflect this variety, since both look at the range and control of the language used.
- Comparatives: higher than, considerably lower than
- Superlatives: the highest, the lowest, the smallest
- Contrast: whereas, while, by contrast
- Similarity: similar to, the same as, almost identical
- Size of difference: slightly, sharply, twice as
How many figures should be quoted?
Quote enough figures to support each main point and leave out the rest, because the task asks for the main differences instead of every single figure. Use figures when the table presents them, focusing on the highest and lowest values, the greatest or smallest differences and exceptions to the trend.
Two figures in a sentence, one to anchor the point and one to compare against, often keeps the writing readable. Leave figures out of the overview, which only needs the general pattern.
Model answer: Table task: commuting by age group
Task: You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The table shows the percentage of adults in four age groups who use three types of transport for their main trip to work or study.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Percentage of adults using each type of transport for their main trip
Age group: Car / Bus / Bicycle
18 to 24: 28 / 46 / 14
25 to 39: 61 / 20 / 12
40 to 59: 72 / 12 / 8
60 and over: 54 / 25 / 3
"The table compares the proportion of adults in four age groups who use a car, a bus or a bicycle for their main trip to work or study.
"The car is the most popular choice in every group except the youngest, where the bus leads, and cycling is the least common option throughout.
"Among 18 to 24 year olds, 46 per cent travel by bus, considerably more than the 28 per cent who drive. Car use then climbs sharply to 61 per cent in the 25 to 39 group and peaks at 72 per cent among those aged 40 to 59, the highest figure in the table. Bus use falls over the same range to 20 and then 12 per cent.
"The oldest group follows a different pattern. Car use drops to 54 per cent and bus use recovers to 25 per cent, while only 3 per cent cycle, the lowest figure overall. Cycling is highest among the youngest adults at 14 per cent, compared with 8 per cent for the 40 to 59 group.
What this model answer does:
- Task achievement/response: the overview sits in its own paragraph and states the leading and lowest categories without quoting figures.
- Task achievement/response: the body paragraphs select the peak, the lowest figure and the exceptions instead of listing all twelve values.
- Coherence and cohesion: the second body paragraph opens by signalling a different pattern, and each paragraph holds one clear grouping.
- Lexical resource: verbs and adverbs such as climbs sharply, peaks, drops and recovers vary the description of the same kind of change.
- Grammatical range and accuracy: comparatives, a participle phrase and a contrast with while show a spread of structures.
What mistakes should candidates avoid, and how should they practise?
The most frequent mistakes are describing every figure, writing in a robotic way, leaving out comparisons and offering reasons or opinions about the data. Each one moves the answer away from reporting and comparing the main features of the table.
Practise in the order of the answer: scan a table, write the overview alone, then add two body paragraphs. Check each draft against the four criteria by asking whether the overview states the main pattern, whether the paragraphs follow a clear grouping, whether the vocabulary varies and whether the sentences are accurate. Once the steps feel familiar, keep the whole task to about 20 minutes.
- Describing every figure in the table
- Sounding robotic, with one item per sentence
- Making no comparisons or contrasts
- Interpreting the data with reasons or opinions
Related guides
- What is IELTS? Format, versions and scoring
- Task 1 line graph model answer
- Task 1 bar chart model answer
- Task 1 pie chart model answer
- Task 1 process diagram model answer
- Task 1 map model answer
- IELTS General Training letter (Task 1)
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Frequently asked questions
- Should reasons be given for the figures in a table task?
- Reasons and opinions sit outside the information given, so a table answer describes and compares what the data shows. Task achievement/response rewards reporting the main features, which means every sentence should point to something visible in the table. If one figure looks surprising, state that it is an exception and quote it, then move on to the next point.
- What if the table has many rows and columns?
- A large table still gets two body paragraphs, because the task asks for the main features and leaves minor detail out. Scan for the highest and lowest values, the widest gaps and any exception, then group the rows or columns that share a pattern. Rows that follow the same trend can be covered together with one or two representative figures.
- How can a table answer fit into 20 minutes?
- Spend the opening part of the 20 minutes scanning and planning, then write the introduction, overview and two body paragraphs in that order. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 in the Writing score, so a Task 1 answer that stays focused on main features leaves more of the 60-minute paper for the essay.
- How can a practice table answer be checked against the criteria?
- Read the draft four times, once for each criterion: Task achievement/response, Coherence and cohesion, Lexical resource, and Grammatical range and accuracy. Ask whether the main features and comparisons are covered, whether paragraphs follow a clear grouping, whether the vocabulary varies and whether sentences are accurate. Note one fix per criterion and apply it to the next table.
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