TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLES: FULL ESSAY 3

I. PRE-WRITING 3
A. Definition 3
B. Pattern of Organization 4
C. Useful language 5
D. Analyze a sample 5
E. Brainstorm ideas. 7
II. WHILE-WRITING 9
III. POST-WRITING 10
ANSWER KEY 15
📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

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📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

Unit 1: TABLES (FULL ESSAY)

I. PRE-WRITING
A. Definition
 Characteristics of a table
IELTS Table Chart can be divided into two features, namely dynamic (figures change overtime)
and static (figures do not change over time) charts.
Elements of a table:
The columns and the rows in the table show different information, such as time periods, types of
people, countries, and so on. Each box in the table contains numbers. There may be general
trends, which illustrate something changing or developing, decreasing, increasing, or exception.
Table samples:

a. Dynamic tables:
The table below shows the percentage of children with different educational
problems in two primary schools.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
2005 2015
Problem School A School B School A School B
Reading ability 22 8 29 9
Handwriting 28 7 28 7
Spelling 30 5 25 10
Listening skills 35 11 20 12
Verbal expression of idea 35 14 21 15
Concentration in lessons 40 15 18 15
Following instructions 42 6 18 12
(IELTS Writing task 1 table – overview, structure, steps, and tips. IELTS Test Pro. Retrieved 24 March 2022, from https://ielts-
testpro.com/writing-tips/ielts-writing-task-1-table-overview-structure-steps-and-tips/)

b. Static tables:

The table below gives information on consumer spending on different items in five
different countries in 2002.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant

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📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

Percentage of national consumer expenditure by category - 2002

Country Food/ Drinks/ Tobacco Clothing/ Footwear Leisure/ Education

Ireland 28.91% 6.43% 2.21%

Italy 16.36% 9.00% 3.20%

Spain 18.80% 6.51% 1.98%

Sweden 15.77% 5.40% 3.22%

Turkey 32.14% 6.63% 4.35%

(Cambridge IELTS 7 Student's Book with Answers. (2009). Cambridge University Press.)

B. Pattern of Organization: Structure of a table chart essay

Explain in your own words what the table shows by

paraphrasing the question in 1 sentence.
Make sure that your introduction can answer these questions (if

Introduction provided in the prompt)

1. What is the table about?
2. What time/ place does it report?
3. What is the unit of measurement?

Overview Describe general trend(s) or feature(s) in 1 or 2 sentences.

Structure 1
Body 1: give evidence to support your first 1 or 2 key features
and make comparisons where relevant.
Body 2: give evidence to support the remaining key feature(s).
Structure 2
Body For tables with a ‘total/ all groups’ column, the body paragraphs
can follow the structure below:
Body 1: use information in detailed columns to give evidence to
support 2 or 3 key features and make comparisons where
relevant.
Body 2: use information in the ‘total/ all groups’ column to
support your first 2 and 3 key features.

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📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

C. Useful language

INTRODUCTION

The table gives/ provides information about/ on ...

The table shows/ illustrates/ compares/ explains why .../ describes ...

OVERVIEW

Overall, it is clear that …

In general, it can be seen that …
Overall, it is clear from the data that …
Generally, it is noticeable that …

COHESIVE DEVICES

Regarding ..., = As for ..., = With respect to ...,

D. Analyze a sample table

The table below shows the results of a survey that asked 6800 Scottish adults (aged 16
years and over) whether they had taken part in different cultural activities in the past 12
months.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Participation in cultural activities, by age
16-24 25-44 45-74 All aged 16 and over
% % % %
Any performance* 35 22 17 22
Undertaking any crafts 11 17 22 19
Cultural purchases 11 17 18 16
Any visual arts 30 16 11 15
Any writing 17 6 5 7
Computer based 10 9 5 6
*Dancing, singing, playing instruments and acting
(Writing Task 1 Table sample. IELTS Buddy. Retrieved 24 March 2022, from https://www.ieltsbuddy.com/writing-task-1-table-
sample.html)

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📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

Task 1. Work in groups of three students. Look at the table above and answer the
questions.
1. What kind of table is it?
2. What is the table about?
3. Where did the survey take place?
4. What is the time period?
5. How many age groups are there? What are they?
6. What is the unit of measurement?
7. What cultural activities are accessed?
8. What cultural activity has the highest percentage in the age group 16-24, 25-44, 45-74, and
all aged 16 and over?
9. What cultural activity has the lowest percentage in the age group 16-24, 25-44, 45-74, and
all aged 16 and over?
10. What are some major trends that you see in the charts?
11. Should we report all the details from the graph? Why (not)?

Task 2. Work in pairs. Read the sample essay below. Then, fill in the blanks to
complete the outline for the table in D. Analyze a sample table - Task 1.
The table illustrates the outcomes of research undertaken in Scotland with adults aged from 16
to 74 to assess their involvement in a variety of cultural activities over a 12-month period.

Overall, it is evident that participation in any performance and crafts were the most popular for all
age groups while the least favorite ones were computer-based and writing activities.

The highest participation in any activities was seen in the 16-24 age group, with 35% and 30%
respectively doing performance and visual arts. In contrast, other activities were much lower,
particularly those computer-based, at only 10%. A rate of 22% was evident for the most popular
activity for the 45-74 age group, which was crafts. Besides, the popularity of computers was very
low for all those who were 25 plus, while any performance was the most popular among people
in this age group.

Taking all age groups together, it can be seen that performance and crafts were the most popular,
at over 19%, whereas cultural purchases and visual arts were slightly less popular at 16% and
15% respectively. Finally, little interest was shown in writing and computing.
(Writing Task 1 Table sample. IELTS Buddy. Retrieved 24 March 2022, from https://www.ieltsbuddy.com/writing-task-1-table-
sample.html)

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Introduction
The table illustrates ____________________ undertaken in
________ with adults aged from _____ to ______ to assess their
involvement in a variety of cultural activities over
_________________.
Overview  The cutural activities that involved the most participation:
____________________________________________________
 The least favorite ones: _________________________________

Body Body 1  The highest participation in any activities: in the ______ age group,
paragraphs doing _____________ (____%) and _____________ (____%).
(follow  In contrast, _____________: much lower, particularly ______, at
Structure 2 in _____%.
the table  The most popular activity for the 45-74 age group: ____________

‘Pattern of (____%).

organization)  Besides, the popularity of ____________ was very low for all those
who were 25 plus, while _______________: most popular.

Body 2  All age groups together,________________: the most popular,

whereas ___________ and ____________: slightly less popular.
 Finally, little interest was shown in __________ and __________.

E. Brainstorm ideas.
Task 3. Read the Writing Task 1 below and answer the questions.

The table below describes the number of employees and factories in England and Wales
from 1851 to 1901.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.

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📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

Year Male Female Total Factories

employees employees employees
1851 287,100 190,000 477,100 225
1861 131,780 160,000 291,780 227
1871 80,123 60,000 140,123 622
1881 76,132 50,000 126,132 721
1891 65,000 40,000 105,000 625
1901 31,000 30,000 61,000 600

(IELTS Tables. IELTS Online Tests. Retrieved 3 May 2022, from https://ieltsonlinetests.com/)

1. What is the table about?

2. Which areas does the table report?
4. What are the units of measurement?
5. Is there a time period? What kind of table is it?
6. What are the overall trends of total employees and factories?
7 What are one or two important points about the number of male and female employees in the
period?
8 What are one or two important points about the number of factories in the period?
9 What points of comparison can you make?

Task 4. Complete the outline for the table in Task 3 with your own ideas.

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Introduction
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Overivew
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Body 1
Body
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paragraphs
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Body 2

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II. WHILE-WRITING
Task 5. Write a complete report for the graph in Pre-writing – Task 5 based on
your own outline. Remember to write at least 150 words. You should spend about
20 minutes on this task.
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III. POST-WRITING
Task 6. Work in pairs. Read your partner’s essay. Then use the Peer Editing Sheet
below to offer positive suggestions and comments that can help your partner
improve his or her writing. Consider your partner’s comments as you revise your
own work.

Content Y/N Comments/ Suggestions

Task Response

Is the essay written in at least 150?

Is the topic clearly identified in the introduction?

Does the essay have a clear overview?

Have important details in the data been referred to?

Coherence & Cohesion

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📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

Is the information grouped into clear paragraphs?

Is the information presented in a logical order?

Are the sentences well linked together using

appropriate transitions and referencing
words/phrases?
Lexical Resource

Has spelling been checked?

Has the question been suitably paraphrased?

Has consistent repetition of vocabulary been

avoided?

Is there sufficient use of academic vocabulary?

Does the text contain vocabulary specific to the

topic?
Grammar Range and Accuracy

Has correct punctuation been used?

Has the essay included compound and complex

sentences?
Have the verb tenses and subject-verb agreement
been checked?

Are the sentences between 15 and 25 words long?

Timing

Was the task completed in less than 20 minutes?

Task 7. Practice analyzing and writing a report for the following table. You should
spend about 20 minutes on each task.
7.1. The table shows the Proportions of pupils attending four secondary school types
between 2000 and 2009.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.

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📖 AVTC6_Unit 1: TABLES

Write at least 150 words.

Secondary School Attendance
2000 2005 2009
Specialist Schools 12% 11% 10%
Grammar Schools 24% 19% 12%
Voluntary-controlled Schools 52% 38% 20%
Community Schools 12% 32% 58%

(Writing Task 1 Table sample. IELTS Buddy. Retrieved 24 March 2022, from https://www.ieltsbuddy.com/writing-task-1-table-
sample.html)

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7.2. The tables below give information about sales of Fairtrade*- labelled tea and
pineapples in 2010 and 2015 in five European countries.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

(IELTS Writing Task 1 #131. English exam. Retrieved 20 March 2022, from https://www.english-
exam.org/IELTS/academic_writing_samples_task_1/982/)

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