Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Passenger travel distances by five transport types from 1995 to 2015

The table below shows the number of kilometers passengers traveled on five types of transport in a European country in 1995, 2005, and 2015.

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

Passenger travel by transport type in a European country

Transport Type	1995	2005	2015
Air	2	8	20
Bicycle	2	1	2
Motorbike	5	3	6
Bus	56	50	42
Rail	38	48	60
Total	103	110	130

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 distance in kilometers traveled by passengers using five different modes of transport in a European country across three specific years: 1995, 2005, and 2015.

Overall, rail and air travel experienced significant growth over the period, whereas bus travel saw a consistent decline, and the total distance traveled by passengers increased steadily from 103 to 130 kilometers.

Rail travel showed the most consistent upward trend, rising from 38 kilometers in 1995 to 48 kilometers in 2005, and reaching 60 kilometers by 2015. Similarly, air travel saw a substantial increase, jumping from a mere 2 kilometers in 1995 to 8 kilometers in 2005, and more than doubling again to reach 20 kilometers by the end of the period. In contrast, bus travel, which was the most popular mode in 1995 at 56 kilometers, gradually fell to 50 kilometers in 2005 and further declined to 42 kilometers in 2015.

Regarding the remaining transport types, bicycle and motorbike usage remained relatively low throughout the two decades. Bicycle travel fluctuated slightly, starting at 2 kilometers, dipping to 1 kilometer in 2005, and returning to 2 kilometers in 2015. Motorbike travel followed a similar pattern, decreasing from 5 kilometers in 1995 to 3 kilometers in 2005, before recovering to 6 kilometers in 2015.

211 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.

substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth
fluctuated: rise and fall irregularly in number or amount
consistent: acting or done in the same way over time
declined: become smaller, fewer, or less in value
upward trend: a general direction in which something is developing
recovering: returning to a normal state of health or strength

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, rail and air travel experienced significant growth over the period, whereas bus travel saw a consistent decline, and the total distance traveled by passengers increased steadily.

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.