Tips for Describing a Table 

Describing a table is very similar to describing a graph or a chart and the IOK structure that we have been using for graphs can be used when describing a table. 

However it is important that we remember the following points when describing a table:

1.   Do not describe all the data presented- present the main points of each feature.
2.  Look for significant data e.g. the highest, the lowest etc.
3. Try and group data. This may require you to use some general knowledge about the world, such as recognising developed and developing countries

Sample Question and Answer

Taken from: (http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-table.html)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The following table gives statistics showing the aspects of quality of life in five countries.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information in the table below.

You should write at least 150 words.

 

Country	GNP per head (1982: US $)	Daily Calorie supply per head	Life expectancy at birth (years)	`infant Mortality (per 1000 births)
Bangladesh	140	1877	40	132
Bolivia	570	2086	50	124
Egypt	690	2950	56	97
Indonesia	580	2296	49	87
USA	13160	3653	74	12

What you should ask yourself

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 you would write about in each one?

Planning your Answer

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:

 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.

Model Answer

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.

The other developing countries had quality of life ratings that were significantly lower.  The range of indicators for Egypt, Indonesia and Bolivia were similar, with Egypt having the highest quality of life amongst the three.  However, the infant mortality rate in Egypt’s was slightly higher than Indonesia’s at 97 deaths per 1000 compared to 78 in Indonesia.

Bangladesh had by far the lowest quality of life in all the indicators.  Its GNP was one hundred times smaller than the USA’s.  Its calorie intake and life expectancy were about half those of the USA, and its infant mortality rate was 10 times greater.

Describing Tables