IELTS / TOEFL: How to Solve IELTS Writing Task 1 Tables

How to Solve: IELTS Writing Task 1 – Tables

Introduction Scoring 7+ in IELTS Writing Task 1 can make a huge difference in your overall band score, potentially increasing it by 1-2 bands and opening doors to top universities and scholarships.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST

1. You already know how to write a clear and concise essay.
2. You have a good understanding of essay structure and can organize your ideas logically.
3. You can paraphrase and use synonyms effectively.

CORE CONTENT

Anatomy of the task: The question will ask you to describe a table, chart, or graph, and you'll need to produce a 150-word essay in 60 minutes. Be careful not to describe the table in too much detail, as this can lead to a low score.

Step-by-step strategy:

1. Read the question carefully: Understand what the table is showing and what you need to describe.
2. Identify the main trends and features: Look for the most important information in the table, such as increases, decreases, or patterns.
3. Choose the most relevant data: Select the data that best supports your description and ignore unnecessary details.
4. Write a clear and concise introduction: Introduce the table and state the main trends or features you'll be describing.
5. Describe the data in 2-3 paragraphs: Use simple language and focus on the main trends and features.
6. Use a range of vocabulary: Use synonyms and paraphrasing to describe the data and avoid repetition.
7. Use a range of sentence structures: Use simple, compound, and complex sentences to add variety to your writing.
8. Use a clear and concise conclusion: Summarize the main trends or features and reiterate the main points.

Solved example:

Question: The table below shows the number of students enrolled in a university over the past 5 years. Describe the data in the table.

Model answer:

The table shows the number of students enrolled in a university over the past 5 years. The data reveals a significant increase in the number of students, with a growth rate of 80% over the 5-year period. The number of students increased from 10,000 in 2018 to 20,000 in 2022, with a steady rise each year. The most notable increase was from 2019 to 2020, with a jump of 25%. Overall, the data suggests a strong trend of growth in student enrollment.

Common Mistakes

1. Mistake: Describing the table in too much detail. Why it happens: Students get carried away with describing the table and forget to focus on the main trends and features. How to fix it: Focus on the main trends and features and ignore unnecessary details.
2. Mistake: Using complex vocabulary that you don't understand. Why it happens: Students try to use big words to sound impressive, but end up using them incorrectly. How to fix it: Use simple language and focus on using vocabulary that you know and understand.
3. Mistake: Not using a clear and concise conclusion. Why it happens: Students get carried away with describing the data and forget to summarize the main points. How to fix it: Use a clear and concise conclusion to summarize the main trends or features and reiterate the main points.
4. Mistake: Not using a range of sentence structures. Why it happens: Students get stuck using simple sentences and forget to add variety to their writing. How to fix it: Use a range of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences.
5. Mistake: Not using a range of vocabulary. Why it happens: Students get stuck using the same words and phrases over and over again. How to fix it: Use synonyms and paraphrasing to describe the data and avoid repetition.

CRAM SHEET

1. Read the question carefully and understand what the table is showing.
2. Identify the main trends and features in the table.
3. Choose the most relevant data and ignore unnecessary details.
4. Use simple language and focus on using vocabulary that you know and understand.
5. Use a range of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences.
6. Use a clear and concise introduction and conclusion.
7. Focus on the main trends and features and avoid getting carried away with details.
8. Use synonyms and paraphrasing to describe the data and avoid repetition.
9. Practice, practice, practice to improve your writing skills.
10. ⚠️ Don't forget to leave time to read the question and plan your answer before starting to write.