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IELTS Tables Explained 

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.

You can also watch a video of this lesson:

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 IELTS table showing the quality of life in four countries presented in a table:


Country

GNP per head (1982: US dollars)

Daily calorie supply per head

Life expectancy at birth (years)

Infant mortality  (per 1000 live births

Bangladesh
Bolivia
Egypt
Indonesia
USA

140
570
690
580
13160

1877
2086
2950
2296
3653

40
50
56
49
74

132
124
97
87
12

If we wanted, we could present this same information as a bar chart:


IELTS table shown as a bar chartIELTS table shown 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, e.g. if there are 5 countries, mention every one)

  • 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.

Summarise 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 Five Countries

Country

GNP per head (1982: US dollars)

Daily calorie supply per head

Life expectancy at birth (years)

Infant mortality  (per 1000 live births

Bangladesh
Bolivia
Egypt
Indonesia
USA

140
570
690
580
13160

1877
2086
2950
2296
3653

40
50
56
49
74

132
124
97
87
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 would you 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 (1982: US dollars)

Daily calorie supply per head

Life expectancy at birth (years)

Infant mortality  (per 1000 live births

Bangladesh
Bolivia
Egypt
Indonesia
USA

140
570
690
580
13160

1877
2086
2950
2296
3653

40
50
56
49
74

132
124
97
87
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 highest GNP 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, at only 12 per 1000 live births.

Quality of life was much lower for the other four countries. The indicators for Egypt, Indonesia and Bolivia were fairly similar, with their GNP ranging from 570 to 690 and daily calories in the 2000s. Life expectancy was also almost the same, although Bolivia had much worse infant mortality at 124 per 1000.

Bangladesh had by far the lowest quality of life in all the indicators.  Its GNP per head was approximately one percent of the USA’s.  Its calorie intake and life expectancy were about half those of the USA, and its infant mortality rate was 11 times greater.


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