Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Exchange student numbers between European and Australian universities 2007 to 2009

The two tables below show the exchange students from universities in Europe to Australia between 2007 and 2009.

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

Exchange student from universities in Europe to Australia

Countries	2007	2009
France	61	60
Sweden	34	42
United Kingdom	31	26
Germany	27	62
Netherland	36	36
Total	189	226

Exchange student from Australia universities to universities in Europe

Countries	2007	2009
France	37	58
Sweden	33	27
United Kingdom	32	23
Germany	18	26
Netherland	32	18
Total	152	152

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 tables illustrate the number of exchange students travelling between European universities and Australia in 2007 and 2009. Overall, there was a notable rise in European students choosing to study in Australia, whereas the volume of Australian students moving to Europe remained constant.

Regarding students from Europe to Australia, the total figure rose from 189 to 226. Germany experienced the most significant growth, more than doubling its student numbers from 27 to 62. Sweden also saw an increase, rising from 34 to 42. Conversely, France remained relatively stable with 61 and 60 students respectively, while the United Kingdom saw a decline from 31 to 26. The Netherlands maintained a consistent figure of 36 students throughout the period.

In contrast, the total number of Australian students moving to Europe stayed at 152 in both years. France was the most popular destination, with numbers climbing from 37 to 58. However, this growth was offset by declines in other nations; for instance, the Netherlands saw a sharp drop from 32 to 18, and the United Kingdom fell from 32 to 23. Sweden also experienced a decrease, dropping from 33 to 27, while Germany saw a modest rise from 18 to 26.

198 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.

Stagnant: Showing no activity or growth over a period
Notable: Worthy of attention or notice; quite remarkable
Conversely: Introducing a statement that contrasts with the previous
Offset: Counteract something by having an opposite effect
Consistent: Acting or done in the same way over time
Modest: Relatively moderate or limited in size or amount

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS Academic writing

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app.

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While the total number of European students moving to Australia increased over the period, the number of Australian students heading to Europe remained stagnant.

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.