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Lesson 10 - IELTS Task 1

The document provides instructions on how to summarize an IELTS table. It explains that tables should be described similarly to charts and graphs by using language to compare and contrast the information or describe changes over time. When summarizing a table, the key points of each category should be mentioned but not all the data. Significant findings like the highest or lowest values should be highlighted. It is also important to group similar data which may require background knowledge.

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Hojatollah Izadi
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299 views

Lesson 10 - IELTS Task 1

The document provides instructions on how to summarize an IELTS table. It explains that tables should be described similarly to charts and graphs by using language to compare and contrast the information or describe changes over time. When summarizing a table, the key points of each category should be mentioned but not all the data. Significant findings like the highest or lowest values should be highlighted. It is also important to group similar data which may require background knowledge.

Uploaded by

Hojatollah Izadi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 10: IELTS Table

Describing an IELTS table is similar to describing charts or graphs. The same


structures of comparison and contrast are used or language of change if the
table is over time.
A table is just another way to present information.
It does not require that you learn a new type of language or a new way to
organize things.
For example, take a look at this table showing the quality of life in four
countries presented in a table:

Country

GNP
per Daily calorie Life
Infant
head (1982: supply
per expectancy mortality
US dollars)
head
at
birth (per
1000
(years)
live births

Bangladesh
Bolivia
Egypt
Indonesia
USA

140
570
690
580
13160

1877
2086
2950
2296
3653

40
50
56
49
74

132
124
97
87
12

If we wanted, we could present this same information as a bar chart:

However, as you'll notice, it is better presented as a table because of the


huge difference between the USA and the others - this is not very clear on a
bar chart.
So a table looks better, but they would both be described in exactly the
same way.
Analyzing the IELTS Table
As with all graphs and charts, when describing tables:

Do not describe all the data presented - present the main points of
each feature (you should make sure you mention each feature though)
Look for significant data; e.g. the highest, the lowest etc
Try and group the data. This may require you to use some general
knowledge about the world, such as recognizing developed and developing
countries
Practice
Look at the IELTS table that you looked at above and answer the questions
that follow:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


The following table gives statistics showing the aspects
of quality of life in five countries.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the
information in the table below.
You should write at least 150 words.

Table: The Quality of Life in Four Countries

Country

GNP
per Daily calorie Life
Infant
head (1982: supply
per expectancy mortality
US dollars)
head
at
birth (per
1000
(years)
live births

Bangladesh
Bolivia
Egypt
Indonesia
USA

140
570
690
580
13160

1877
2086
2950
2296
3653

40
50
56
49
74

132
124
97
87
12

What is the table measuring?


What type of language do you need to use (Change? Comparing and
contrasing?)

What tense would you use?

Which country has the best quality of life and which has the worst?

What information could you use for an overview / conclusion?

How could you group the information?

How many paragraphs would you have and what you would write
about in each one?

Making a Plan
You should always ask yourself these kinds of questions before you write
your task one. You can then use the answer to these questions to make
yourself a quick plan.
Here are some notes made by a student during the planning stage:

Topic standard of living, 5 countries


Language comparison
Time / tense 1982 = past
Overview USA far higher
Groups
USA
=
Egypt,
Indo,
Bangladesh = very low

Bol

highest
=

similar

Now, take a look at this IELTS table model answer and notice how the
organization matches the plan. The groups chosen that are similar are
grouped together into paragraphs.
The language is focused on the language of comparison and contrast as the
table is not over time. The compare and contrast structures have been
highlighted so you can see how they are used.
Is it similar to the way you would have organized the information?
Sample Answer
The table uses four economic indicators to show the standard of living in five
selected countries in 1982. Overall, it can be seen that the quality of life in
the USA was far higher than the other four countries.

To begin, the USA, which is a developed country, had the highest GNP at
13,160 dollars per head. It also had a much higher daily calorie intake and
life expectancy, and the lowest rate of infant mortality.
The other developing countries had quality of life ratings that were
significantly lower. The range of indicators for Egypt, Indonesia and
Bolivia were similar, with Egypt having the highest quality of life amongst
the three. However, the infant mortality rate in Egypts was slightly higher
than Indonesias at 97 deaths per 1000 compared to 78 in Indonesia.
Bangladesh had by far the lowest quality of life in all the indicators. Its
GNP was one hundred times smaller than the USAs. Its calorie intake
and life expectancy were about half those of the USA, and its infant
mortality rate was 10 times greater.
(Words 178)

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