In the IELTS Writing Task 1 of the academic module, you may encounter various types of diagrammatic questions, and one of them is the “Table” question. Table questions can take different forms in the exam, ranging from a single table to two tables, or even a combination of a table with other diagrams like a bar chart, line graph, or pie chart. Regardless of the format, you can effectively describe a table by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Read the Question and Select Information

Begin by carefully reading the question in the IELTS Writing Task 1 and ensuring a good understanding of its content. The question statement provides basic information about the table’s topic, and the table heading offers further clarity. Glance at the main headings of columns and rows, but avoid analyzing the figures in-depth at this stage.

Step 2: Write the Introduction

Having comprehended the IELTS Writing Task 1 table question, start writing your introduction in just 3-4 lines. Ensure that the introduction is concise and captures the main points of the table question. Paraphrase the question statement by reordering words and using synonyms, and consider including the year or time period. For instance:

Original Question Statement:

The tables show the employment rate of men and women as per their ages in 1990.

Table Heading:

Rate of employment of males and females, 1990

Introduction:

The provided tables illustrate the employment rate percentage among males and females, categorized by age groups, in the year 1990.

Step 3: Analyze the Table Question Thoroughly

Similar to other IELTS Writing Task 1 questions, identifying key features is crucial when dealing with table questions. Carefully analyze the table, starting with the trend of figures in each column and then proceeding row-wise. Observe whether the figures are increasing, decreasing, remaining constant, or fluctuating, and mention these trends. You can also note the highest and lowest figures within a specific row or column.

Step 4: Write Your Body Paragraphs

After spending about 5 minutes analyzing the table, you can begin crafting your body paragraphs. Structure the paragraphs coherently and use appropriate sentence connectors such as “other than this,” “furthermore,” “whereas,” etc., to enhance cohesion. In the IELTS Writing Task 1, you should aim to write no more than 2 body paragraphs. Compare the figures to identify any differences or similarities.

Step 5: Write the Conclusion

In your conclusion, offer a summary that holds significant value for your IELTS Writing Task 1 assessment. To find conclusive features in a table, mention overall increasing or decreasing trends in particular columns or rows. You can also highlight the highest or lowest figures, but ensure they haven’t been mentioned in the body paragraphs to avoid repetition.