If you’re preparing for the IELTS exam, especially the Writing Task 1, you’ve probably seen questions that ask you to describe tables. Let’s break it down step by step with a real example — no confusing words, just a simple approach that actually works!
Structure to Follow for Table Questions
To make your writing clear, logical, and score-worthy, stick to this structure:
- Introduction
- Overview
- Body Paragraphs
- Body Paragraph-1
- Body Paragraph-2
- Body Paragraph-3 (if needed)
Let’s break it down step by step using a real example.
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.
Step 1: Understand the Question First!
Before jumping into writing, ask yourself a few key questions:
- What are the units of measurements?
- What are the time periods?
- What can you learn from the title, rows and columns?
- What is the most obvious trend?
- Are there any notable similarities?
Taking 1–2 minutes to really understand the table chart will help you write with clarity and accuracy.
Step 2: Write an introduction
This part is simple. Just paraphrase the question in your own words using 1–2 sentences.
✅ Include
- Mention: What graph shows, Where it happens and When it occurs
- Identify subject and tense
Useful Expressions:
- The table illustrates…
- The table compares…
- The table shows…
- The table gives inforamation about…
- The table provides information about…
- The table summarises information about..
From the question:
| How to start | The table compares |
| What the graph is about | the percentages of spending on three different categories |
| When it occurs | 2002 |
| Tense | Past |
| How to paraphrase? | Use synonyms or change the sentence structure from the question. gives→ compares consumer spending on different items → The percentages of spending on three different categories in five different countries → in five European countries (Ireland, Italy, Spend, Sweden, and Turkey) in 2002 → in the year 2002. |
And this is a possible way to write your introduction:
The table compares the percentages of spending on three different categories in five European countries (Ireland, Italy, Spend, Sweden, and Turkey) in the year 2002.
Step 3: Write an Overview
In this part, you should describe the key features presented in the table, focusing on general trends rather than specific details. Highlight any noticeable comparisons where relevant.
✅ Include:
- Mention key features.
- Identify the highest and lowest values, and whether there is a consistent trend or variation.
- Do not put any specific data.
Start your overview like this:
- Overall, …
- Overall, it can be seen that…
- Overall, it is clear that…
| From the table: The highest spending category was Food, drinks and tobacco and the lowest was Leisure and education. |
And this is a possible way to write your overall:
Overall, all five countries spent the most on food, drinks, and tobacco, while spending on leisure and education was the lowest. In general, Turkey had higher spending in all three categories compared to the other countries.
Step 4: Write Body paragraphs
Now it’s time to describe the details. Write 2 or 3 short and clear paragraphs. Use numbers to explain the trends in a simple and logical way.
You can group the information like this:
- Put categories with similar or opposite trends in one paragraph, and the others in a separate one.
- If there are no clear patterns, describe each category one by one.
- You can also group the data based on each category (like food, clothing, education).
✅ Include:
- Make sure to include numbers in the body paragraph.
- Don’t forget to make comparisons where relevant.
- Use a range of linking words, vocabulary, and grammar structures to describe the features. Try not to repeat them.
- Follow the tense from the graph.
- Use different time expressions to describe the passage of time.
And this is a possible way to write your body:
Turkey spent the highest amount on food, drinks, and tobacco, about 32.14% of its total spending. Ireland was the second highest, with 28.91%. Italy, Spain, and Sweden spent much less in this category, with 16.36%, 18.80%, and 15.77% respectively. Among these countries, Sweden spent the smallest percentage on food, drinks, and tobacco.
For clothing and shoes, Italy spent the most at 9%. Sweden spent the least at 5.40%. Ireland, Spain, and Turkey spent about the same, between 6.43% and 6.63%.
For leisure and education, all countries spent the least money. Turkey spent the most at 4.35%. Spain and Ireland spent the least, with 1.98% and 2.21%. Italy and Sweden spent a little more, but less than 4%.
💬 Ready to Practice?
Try describing a different table on your own using the same structure. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. Remember, improvement doesn’t happen overnight—but every small step counts.
