IELTS Table

http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-table.html

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

Bangladesh 140 1877 40 132

Bolivia 570 2086 50 124
Egypt 690 2950 56 97
Indonesia 580 2296 49 87
USA 13160 3653 74 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.

Analysing 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 recognising 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.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features

and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Table: The Quality of Life in Four Countries

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

Bangladesh 140 1877 40 132

Bolivia 570 2086 50 124
Egypt 690 2950 56 97
Indonesia 580 2296 49 87
USA 13160 3653 74 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 kind 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:

PLAN
Topic standard of living, 5 countries

Language comparison

Time / tense 1982 = past

Overview USA far higher

Groups

USA = highest
Egypt, Indo, Bol = similar
Bangladesh = very low
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?

Model Answer

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

Bangladesh 140 1877 40 132

Bolivia 570 2086 50 124
Egypt 690 2950 56 97
Indonesia 580 2296 49 87
USA 13160 3653 74 12

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 highestGNP 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 to78 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.