Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Changes in modes of travel in England between 1985 and 2000

The table below gives information about changes in modes of travel in England between 1985 and 2000. Describe the information in the table and make comparisons where appropriate.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Mode of travel	1985	2000
Walking	255	237
Bicycle	51	41
Car	3199	4806
Local bus	429	274
Long distance bus	54	124
Train	289	366
Taxi	13	42
Other	450	585
All modes	4740	6475

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The table illustrates changes in the distance travelled by various modes of transport in England between 1985 and 2000. Overall, the total distance covered by all modes rose from 4,740 to 6,475 miles. Car travel was by far the most popular method, experiencing the most substantial growth, while walking and cycling saw slight declines.

In 1985, car travel accounted for 3,199 miles, which increased dramatically to 4,806 miles by 2000. Other modes that saw growth included long-distance buses, which more than doubled from 54 to 124 miles, and trains, which rose from 289 to 366 miles. Taxi usage also grew notably, rising from 13 to 42 miles, while the 'other' category increased from 450 to 585 miles.

Conversely, some modes experienced a downward trend. Walking decreased from 255 to 237 miles, and bicycle usage fell from 51 to 41 miles. Local bus travel saw the most significant decline among all categories, dropping from 429 miles in 1985 to 274 miles in 2000. In summary, while most transport methods saw increased usage, the reliance on private cars intensified, whereas public local transport and non-motorised travel became less frequent.

187 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about tables

Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself.
Select; do not list every cell.
Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.

dominant: having the most influence or being the largest
substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth
dramatically: in a way that is sudden and striking
conversely: introducing a statement that reverses a previous one
downward trend: a general direction in which something is decreasing
intensified: became or made more intense or stronger

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, the total distance travelled by all modes increased significantly, with car travel remaining the dominant method of transport throughout the period.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe tables?

Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself. Select; do not list every cell. Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.