📖 AVTC6_Unit 7: TABLES

Unit 7: TABLES (FULL REPORT)

I. PRE-WRITING
A. Definition
 Characteristics of a table
IELTS Table Chart can be divided into two features, namely dynamic (figures change over time)
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.
Sample table charts:

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.

[FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY] - page 3

📖 AVTC6_Unit 7: 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 report

Explain in your own words on what the table shows by

paraphrasing the topic in one 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 and place does it report?
3. What is the unit of measurement?

Describe general trend or the most noticeable feature of the table

Overview (e.g. the highest proportion, the main difference/similarity, etc.) in
one or two sentences.
Dynamic table:
- Body 1: Choose data in the first and last year to highlight ONE or
TWO biggest trends or changes among categories. Then, choose
data in the mid-period to see differences/make comparisons
Body between the highest and lowest figures, or exceptions.
- Body 2: Report the other important trends or changes among
categories and make comparisons between the figures.
Static table:
- Body 1: Choose data by column or row to highlight ONE or TWO
biggest changes/ differences among categories. Then make

[FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY] - page 4

📖 AVTC6_Unit 7: TABLES

comparisons between the highest and lowest figures, or describe

exceptions.
- Body 2: Report the other important trends or changes among
categories and make comparisons between the figures.
(Adapted from https://ielts-testpro.com/)

*NOTES: You do not have to report all the information included in the table. Numbers or
percentages that are too small can be ignored.
C. Useful language

a. Introduction
 the number of + countable N
 the amount of + uncountable N
 gives/ provides information
in 2010.
about  the percentage of + N phrase
The table between 2000 and
 shows/ illustrates/ compares/  the outcomes/ results of + N phrase
2015.
explains/ describes  how much/ how many + N phrase
 N phrase

Example: The table gives information about consumer spending on different items in five different
countries in 2002.
b. Overview
 category 1 was/ were the most popular while
category 2 was the least choice among …
Overall/ Generally,  category 1 has the highest proportion of N
It is clear that phrase, while category 2 has the lowest during the 15-year period

percentage. within 15 years

It can be seen that

there was a significant difference in the number/

amount/ percentage of + N *
N saw/ experienced an upward/ downward trend

*Students can mention how many times a category is higher/ lower than other categories.

Example: Generally, food, drinks and tobacco has the highest proportion of expenditure in all five
countries, while leisure/education category has the lowest percentage in the table.

c. Cohesive devices
Regarding/ In terms of/ With respect to + N phrase, S + V.
Example: In terms of food, drinks, and tobacco, Turkey spent the most at 32.14%.

[FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY] - page 5

📖 AVTC6_Unit 7: TABLES

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

All aged 16 and
16-24 25-44 45-74
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)

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 does the table show?
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)?

[FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY] - page 6

📖 AVTC6_Unit 7: TABLES

Task 2. Work in pairs. Complete the outline for the table above.

The table illustrates ____________________ undertaken in

Introduction ________ with adults aged from _____ to ______ to assess their
involvement in a variety of cultural activities over
_________________.
 The cutural activities that involved the most participation:

Overview ____________________________________________________
 The least favorite ones: _________________________________

 The highest participation in any activities: in the ______ age group,

doing _____________ (____%) and _____________ (____%).

Body  In contrast, _____________: much lower, particularly ______, at

paragraphs _____%.
Body 1
(follow  The most popular activity for the 45-74 age group: ____________
(____%).
Structure 2 in
 Besides, the popularity of ____________ was very low for all those
the table
who were 25 plus, while _______________: most popular.
‘Pattern of
organization)  All age groups together,________________: the most popular,

Body 2 whereas ___________ and ____________: slightly less popular.

 Finally, little interest was shown in __________ and __________.

Task 3. Read the sample report of the table and check your answer.

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.

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

[FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY] - page 7

📖 AVTC6_Unit 7: TABLES

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.

(186 words)

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

E. Brainstorm ideas.
Task 4. 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.
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 does the table illustrate?

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?

[FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY] - page 8

📖 AVTC6_Unit 7: TABLES

9 What points of comparison can you make?

Task 5. Complete the outline for the table in Task 4 with your own ideas.

_____________________________________________________
Introduction
_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________
Overview
_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Body 1

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________
Body
paragraphs Body 2

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

[FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY] - page 9