Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Quarterly Revenue Performance of Four Major Technology Companies in 2025: 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 table below shows the quarterly revenue of four major technology companies in the first three months of 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. --- Instructions: You are presented with a table showing data and must describe the key information, compare values, and highlight significant patterns in at least 150 words. Assessment Criteria: Task Achievement (25%) - Presents a clear overview of main features - Highlights key data and comparisons - Makes appropriate comparisons between categories - Meets the 150-word minimum requirement Coherence and Cohesion (25%) - Logically organizes information - Uses paragraphing effectively - Uses cohesive devices appropriately - Maintains clear progression throughout Lexical Resource (25%) - Uses appropriate vocabulary for comparing data - Shows flexibility and precision - Uses less common lexical items - Has minimal errors in word choice and spelling Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%) - Uses a variety of sentence structures - Produces error-free sentences - Uses grammar and punctuation appropriately - Shows good control of grammar Tips for Table Description: - Start with an introduction describing what the table shows (topic, categories, time period if any) - Write an overview highlighting the most significant features (highest/lowest values, notable patterns) - Organize data logically in body paragraphs (e.g., by category, by time period, or by value ranges) - Compare and contrast data across rows and columns - Use appropriate vocabulary for tables: - Data presentation: "shows", "illustrates", "presents", "provides information about", "displays", "compares" - Values: "stands at", "reaches", "totals", "amounts to", "is recorded at", "is measured at" - Comparisons: "higher than", "lower than", "more than", "less than", "exceeds", "is exceeded by", "twice as much as" - Ranking: "the highest", "the lowest", "the most", "the least", "ranked first/last", "topped the list" - Differences: "significantly higher", "considerably lower", "marginally different", "substantially more" - Similarities: "similar to", "comparable with", "approximately equal to", "nearly the same as" - Changes over time (if applicable): "increased from X to Y", "decreased", "remained stable", "fluctuated" - Don't describe every single figure - focus on the most significant ones - Group similar data together for clearer description - Make meaningful comparisons between categories - Use specific figures to support your statements

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

Quarterly Revenue of Major Tech Companies (Q1 2025)
CompanyJanuaryFebruaryMarchTotal Q1
TechNova3203403601,020
NextGen System280300310890
FutureTech4004104201,230
Innovatech250260270780

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 revenue generated by four major technology companies—TechNova, NextGen System, FutureTech, and Innovatech—during the first quarter of 2025. Overall, all four companies experienced a steady month-on-month growth in revenue throughout the period, with FutureTech maintaining its position as the market leader.

FutureTech began the quarter with 400 in January and saw consistent growth, reaching 420 by March, which resulted in a total quarterly revenue of 1,230. TechNova followed as the second-highest performer, starting at 320 and rising to 360, culminating in a total of 1,020. Both companies demonstrated a stable upward trajectory throughout the three-month period.

In contrast, NextGen System and Innovatech recorded lower figures. NextGen System’s revenue grew from 280 in January to 310 in March, totalling 890 for the quarter. Innovatech, which started at the lowest point of 250, saw a modest increase to 270 by March, ending with a total of 780. While all companies showed a positive trend, the gap between the highest earner, FutureTech, and the lowest, Innovatech, remained significant, with FutureTech’s total revenue being approximately 58% higher than that of Innovatech.

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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.
  • month-on-month

    Comparing the data of one month to another

  • upward trajectory

    A trend showing a consistent increase over time

  • culminating

    Reaching a final point or a total sum

  • market leader

    The company with the highest sales or revenue

  • modest increase

    A small but noticeable rise in numerical value

  • significantly higher

    A large and important difference between two values

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

FutureTech consistently generated the highest revenue throughout the quarter, while Innovatech recorded the lowest figures across all three months.

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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