Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Passenger travel distances by five transport types from 1995 to 2015: 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.
  • 211 words
  • Tables
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The table below shows the number of kilometers passengers traveled on five types of transport in a European country in 1995, 2005, and 2015.

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

Passenger travel by transport type in a European country
Transport Type199520052015
Air2820
Bicycle212
Motorbike536
Bus565042
Rail384860
Total103110130

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 8211 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The table illustrates the distance in kilometers traveled by passengers using five different modes of transport in a European country across three specific years: 1995, 2005, and 2015.

Overall, rail and air travel experienced significant growth over the period, whereas bus travel saw a consistent decline, and the total distance traveled by passengers increased steadily from 103 to 130 kilometers.

Rail travel showed the most consistent upward trend, rising from 38 kilometers in 1995 to 48 kilometers in 2005, and reaching 60 kilometers by 2015. Similarly, air travel saw a substantial increase, jumping from a mere 2 kilometers in 1995 to 8 kilometers in 2005, and more than doubling again to reach 20 kilometers by the end of the period. In contrast, bus travel, which was the most popular mode in 1995 at 56 kilometers, gradually fell to 50 kilometers in 2005 and further declined to 42 kilometers in 2015.

Regarding the remaining transport types, bicycle and motorbike usage remained relatively low throughout the two decades. Bicycle travel fluctuated slightly, starting at 2 kilometers, dipping to 1 kilometer in 2005, and returning to 2 kilometers in 2015. Motorbike travel followed a similar pattern, decreasing from 5 kilometers in 1995 to 3 kilometers in 2005, before recovering to 6 kilometers in 2015.

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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.
  • substantial

    of considerable importance, size, or worth

  • fluctuated

    rise and fall irregularly in number or amount

  • consistent

    acting or done in the same way over time

  • declined

    become smaller, fewer, or less in value

  • upward trend

    a general direction in which something is developing

  • recovering

    returning to a normal state of health or strength

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Overall, rail and air travel experienced significant growth over the period, whereas bus travel saw a consistent decline, and the total distance traveled by passengers increased steadily.

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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