Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Daily oil production in four different countries between 2000 and 2004

The table below shows daily oil production in 4 countries from 2000 to 2004.

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

Daily oil production in 4 countries from 2000 to 2004

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Nigeria	205,000	201,000	190,000	210,000	213,000
Chad	0	0	0	8,000	50,000
Congo	275,000	234,000	222,000	215,000	203,000
Somalia	5,000	8,000	17,000	21,000	50,000

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 the daily oil production levels in Nigeria, Chad, Congo, and Somalia between 2000 and 2004, measured in barrels per day.

Overall, Congo was the only country to witness a downward trend in production, whereas Nigeria, Chad, and Somalia all recorded higher output by the end of the period. Notably, Congo started as the largest producer but finished as the second lowest, while Chad and Somalia saw significant growth from negligible initial levels.

Congo began the period with the highest production at 275,000 barrels per day, but this figure fell steadily each year to reach 203,000 by 2004. In contrast, Nigeria’s production fluctuated; after dipping from 205,000 in 2000 to 190,000 in 2002, it recovered to reach a peak of 213,000 barrels per day in 2004.

Regarding the remaining nations, Chad produced no oil until 2003, when it recorded 8,000 barrels per day, before surging to 50,000 in 2004. Similarly, Somalia’s output grew from a modest 5,000 barrels per day in 2000 to 50,000 by 2004, matching Chad’s production level in the final year.

176 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.

fluctuated: changed frequently and irregularly in amount or level
downward trend: a general movement or development in a lower direction
negligible: so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering
surging: increasing suddenly and powerfully in amount or intensity
witness: to see or experience an event or change happen
modest: relatively moderate or limited in size or amount

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While Congo experienced a consistent decline in oil production, the other three nations saw their output figures rise over the five-year 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.