Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Car production figures for Argentina, Australia and Thailand between 2003 and 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.
  • 180 words
  • Tables
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graph below shows the number of cars produced in three countries in 2003, 2006 and 2009.

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

Number of cars produced in three countries in 2003, 2006 and 2009
200320062009
Argentina166,000420,000510,000
Australia166,000345,000225,000
Thailand787,0001,180,000999,879

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 8180 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The table illustrates the number of cars manufactured in Argentina, Australia, and Thailand across three distinct years: 2003, 2006, and 2009. Overall, it is evident that Thailand remained the leading producer among the three nations, despite a fluctuation in its output. Conversely, Argentina showed a consistent upward trend, while Australia’s production figures followed a downward trajectory after an initial peak.

In 2003, Thailand produced 787,000 cars, which was the highest figure among the three countries. This number rose significantly to 1,180,000 in 2006, before experiencing a decline to 999,879 by 2009. Despite this drop, Thailand’s output remained substantially higher than that of its counterparts throughout the entire period.

Argentina started with the lowest production figure of 166,000 cars in 2003. However, the country witnessed continuous growth, with production reaching 420,000 in 2006 and further increasing to 510,000 by 2009. In contrast, Australia began with 538,000 cars in 2003, which was the second-highest figure. This output fell to 345,000 in 2006 and continued to decrease, ending at 225,000 in 2009, ultimately becoming the lowest producer by the end of the timeframe.

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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.
  • fluctuation

    a continuous change in a value or amount

  • upward trend

    a general direction in which something is increasing

  • downward trajectory

    a path or course that is consistently decreasing

  • counterparts

    people or things that have the same function

  • witnessed

    seen or experienced a particular event or change

  • substantially

    to a great or significant extent or degree

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While Thailand consistently maintained the highest production levels throughout the period, Argentina experienced steady growth, whereas Australia saw a significant decline after 2003.

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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