Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Patient satisfaction ratings for three different health centres: 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.
  • 196 words
  • Tables
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The table below shows how patients evaluated different services at three health centres.

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

Patient evaluation of services at three health centres
Aspect of serviceLongston CentrePeveril CentreMarchbank Centre
Booking appointments5.29.17.8
Doctors' service88.78.4
Care of children6.37.57.3
Pharmacy5.16.35.8
Response to concerns4.39.66.5
Overall average5.88.37.2

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 8196 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The table illustrates how patients rated five distinct aspects of service at three different health centres: Longston, Peveril, and Marchbank. The ratings are measured on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 10 (excellent).

Overall, Peveril Centre achieved the highest scores in every category, resulting in the best overall average of 8.3. Conversely, Longston Centre recorded the lowest performance, with an overall average of 5.8, while Marchbank Centre occupied the middle position with an average of 7.2.

Regarding specific services, Peveril Centre excelled in 'Response to concerns' and 'Booking appointments', scoring 9.6 and 9.1 respectively. In contrast, Longston Centre performed poorly in these areas, with scores of 4.3 and 5.2. Marchbank Centre showed moderate results, scoring 6.5 for response to concerns and 7.8 for booking appointments. The 'Doctors' service' was the most highly rated aspect across all three centres, with scores of 8.0, 8.7, and 8.4 for Longston, Peveril, and Marchbank respectively.

Finally, the 'Pharmacy' service received the lowest ratings at all three locations, with scores ranging from 5.1 at Longston to 6.3 at Peveril. Similarly, 'Care of children' saw moderate satisfaction, with Peveril leading at 7.5, followed by Marchbank at 7.3 and Longston at 6.3.

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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.
  • Conversely

    Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with previous

  • Occupied

    To fill or hold a specific position or place

  • Excelled

    To be exceptionally good at a particular activity

  • Moderate

    Average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree

  • Leading

    Being in the first or most advanced position

  • Range

    The area of variation between upper and lower limits

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Peveril Centre consistently received the highest ratings across all categories, while Longston Centre was generally evaluated as the least satisfactory facility.

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

More tables

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