Task 1 Academic — Table
Selecting features · avoid copying all rows · ranking language
Topic & Why It Matters
A table tests whether you can turn dense numbers into a clear comparison. Unlike a graph, it may not have a visual shape, so you must create the structure yourself: rank the values, group similar rows or columns, and decide which figures deserve space.
Candidates lose marks when they copy the table cell by cell or miss the overall pattern because they focus too narrowly on individual numbers. A strong answer makes the examiner feel that the table has been simplified, not merely repeated.
Knowledge Points
Structure Template
Four paragraphs, about 155-175 words total. Choose a row or column logic before writing.
| Paragraph | Target | What to Write |
|---|---|---|
| Paragraph 1 — Introduction | 25–35 words | Paraphrase the table title. State the population, categories, year or period, and unit. Keep it factual and avoid analysis. |
| Paragraph 2 — Overview | 30–45 words | Summarise the dominant categories and the clearest high/low patterns. Do not include exact figures here. |
| Paragraph 3 — Body A | 45–60 words | Report the highest-ranking category or country group with selected figures. Use 'ranked first', 'followed by', and comparative structures. |
| Paragraph 4 — Body B | 45–60 words | Cover the remaining categories and any exception. End with a comparison that confirms the overview. |
Vocabulary & Grammar Toolkit
| Expression | Usage Note |
|---|---|
| ranked first / ranked last | Use when ordering countries, groups, or categories |
| the highest / lowest proportion | Safe phrases for percentage tables |
| stood at [value] | Neutral reporting verb for a single table figure |
| accounted for [percentage] | Use when a category is part of a whole |
| represented [percentage] | Alternative to 'accounted for' for percentages |
| made up [percentage] | Natural but less formal; use once, not repeatedly |
| respectively | Links two or more items to values in the same order |
| followed by [X] at [value] | Creates a compact ranked sequence |
| just over / just under | Approximation language when values are not exact |
| roughly / around / approximately | Use for estimated table values or rounded figures |
| a clear majority | More than 50%; useful for row-level dominance |
| a small minority | A low share; avoid if the value is not clearly small |
| less than half the figure for [X] | Concise ratio comparison |
| almost twice as high as | Ratio comparison when one value is nearly double another |
| by a margin of [value] | Precise gap: 'by a margin of 6 percentage points' |
| percentage points | Use for gaps between percentages: 58% minus 52% = 6 percentage points |
| whereas / while | Compare two rows or columns in one sentence |
| in contrast / by contrast | Introduce an opposite pattern |
| notably | Highlights an important exception without sounding dramatic |
| across the four countries | Signals that the comparison covers the full table |
| row / column | Useful planning words; rarely needed in the final answer |
| dominant category | A concise phrase for the largest share within a row |
| the pattern was similar for... | Links body paragraphs without overusing simple linkers |
Common Pitfalls
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Reporting every cell | Choose the highest, lowest, and most meaningful middle values. A 150-word answer cannot cover twelve table cells with equal weight. |
| Ignoring row totals | If each row adds to 100%, treat the categories as shares of one whole. Do not add Canada and Japan together unless the table gives population totals. |
| Using trend verbs for a single year | A one-year table does not 'rise' or 'fall'. Write 'stood at 58%' or 'was highest in Canada', not 'rose to 58%'. |
| Putting exact figures in the overview | The overview should name the main pattern without data. Save values such as 58% and 7% for the body paragraphs. |
| Forgetting the unit | If the table uses percentages, every value needs a percent sign or a clear percentage phrase. 'Japan had 52' is incomplete. |
Practice Prompt
Set a 20-minute timer. Write your response before reading the model answer.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The table below shows the percentage of adults aged 25 to 64 by highest educational qualification in four countries in 2022.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
| Country | Tertiary qualification | Secondary only | No formal qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 58% | 34% | 8% |
| Germany | 34% | 55% | 11% |
| Japan | 52% | 41% | 7% |
| Italy | 27% | 57% | 16% |
Model AnswerBand 7.5+ · 160 words
The table compares the educational attainment of adults aged 25 to 64 in four countries in 2022, with figures shown as percentages.
Overall, tertiary qualifications were most common in Canada and Japan, while secondary-only education dominated in Germany and Italy. Italy also had the largest share of adults with no formal qualifications, whereas Japan recorded the smallest.
Looking first at higher education, Canada ranked first, with 58% of adults holding a tertiary qualification. Japan followed closely at 52%, but the figure for Germany was much lower, at 34%. Italy had the smallest tertiary-educated share, at just 27%, less than half the Canadian proportion.
For secondary-only education, Italy and Germany led the table, at 57% and 55% respectively, compared with 41% in Japan and 34% in Canada. The pattern was similar for adults without formal qualifications: Italy again recorded the highest figure, at 16%, followed by Germany at 11%. Canada stood at 8%, while Japan had the lowest proportion, at 7%.
Annotated Commentary
Each paragraph is quoted, then broken down by examiner criteria. Notice how the response selects the clearest row and column patterns instead of copying every cell.
Self-Check
Answer these from memory before looking back. If you cannot answer all, re-read the relevant section.
- Before writing about a table, what should you mark in each row or column?
- A one-year table shows Canada at 58%. A student writes: 'Canada rose to 58%.' What is wrong?
- Write one sentence comparing Italy and Japan using 'whereas' or 'while' and at least one exact figure.