“IELTS Writing Task 1- Table”
IELTS Writing Task 1 where you have to write a report about a table requires you do much the same as you would for any other diagram in Task 1. However, it is important to note that tables are not as clear as graphs or pie charts. A table can be presented with lots of numbers and figures which can make it challenging to understand or notice the patterns in order to make comparisons. It is one of the main reasons you have to carefully look at the data to work out how you will exactly organize it into groups and paragraphs logically.
Students are usually reluctant to spend time analyzing the graph and often just begin writing without a proper plan. However, if you are aiming for a good score in writing, it is highly recommended that you spare some time before you write.
The instruction for Writing Task 1 requires you to ‘Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant’ and it is required that you write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Begin with analyzing your question where every question in Task 1 includes a sentence that briefly describes the diagram and the above sentence that gives instruction on what you will be required to do.
The second step is to analyse the table carefully to identify its main features and to check whether the table is over time. The table may not be as complicated as it may appear in the first glance. However, it is true that it could be a little challenging compared to other charts as you will only see sets of numbers without a visual representation. With a lot of information presented, it could be a little difficult to identify and pick out the key features.
Developing focus questions about units of measurements in the table, time periods, title and labels to carefully anaylse the table can often help you identify its obvious trend and changes and also note similarities. Use the clues in the title, the row and the column headings to understand and follow the information in the table better. The key feature you will select here can always be the starting point of your response for Writing Task 1. At this stage, you do not really have to look at all the numbers in detail but, it is recommended that you rather focus on general trends and changes as you will add the details later.
You can now begin writing your introduction where you can simply paraphrase the information about the diagram in your question. You could use synonyms and change the sentence structure but, DO NOT COPY!
The introduction is followed by an overview which is the main feature with general information that you identified. It is also possible to make comparisons straight away as long as it is clearly visible.
You can begin writing the details. If you have spent time before you started writing, you will have already worked on a plan and will be easily able to group the information into paragraphs logically. It is important that you mention the details and also use evidences from the diagram to support your key features. It is equally important to make comparisons wherever relevant.
Grouping the data logically helps you organize your response logically and you can always look for similarities and differences to group the data together.
As you only have a limited time with a limited word limit, you will not be required to include a lot of detail and it’s always helpful when you summarize the information and just select a few main features to write about.
Although it may be difficult at first to both plan and write your response in 20 minutes time, Practice is the Key! You should keep practicing until you are able to manage time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
