Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Percentages of homeschooled students across various grade levels from 1999 to 2004

The table below describes percentages of homeschooled students in Some Countries in 1999-2004.

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

Percentages of homeschooled students in some countries 1999-2004

Grade / Year	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Kindergarten	2.4	2.5	2.6	2.7	2.7	2.9
Grade 1 - 2	1.5	1.2	1.3	1.5	1.8	2.1
Grade 3 - 4	1.6	1.7	1.8	1.9	2.1	2.2
Grade 5 - 6	1.5	1.3	1.3	1.6	2.1	2.6
Grade 7 - 8	1.6	1.6	1.6	2.2	2.4	2.5

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 percentage of homeschooled students across five different grade categories between 1999 and 2004. Overall, there was a general upward trend in homeschooling participation across all groups throughout the period, with Kindergarten consistently maintaining the highest figures.

In 1999, Kindergarten started at 2.4%, rising steadily to reach 2.9% by 2004. Similarly, students in Grades 3-4 saw a consistent growth from 1.6% to 2.2% over the same timeframe. Grades 7-8 experienced a more pronounced increase, particularly after 2001, climbing from 1.6% to 2.5% by the end of the period.

Conversely, Grades 1-2 and Grades 5-6 showed more fluctuations. Grades 1-2 dipped from 1.5% in 1999 to a low of 1.2% in 2000 before recovering to 2.1% in 2004. A similar pattern occurred in Grades 5-6, which fell to 1.3% in 2000 and 2001, before experiencing a significant surge to 2.6% by 2004. By the final year, all grade levels had surpassed their 1999 starting points, with Kindergarten remaining the most popular level for homeschooling, while Grades 1-2 recorded the lowest final percentage at 2.1%.

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.

upward trend: a general movement or development in one direction
consistently: happening in the same way over a period
pronounced: very noticeable, obvious, or strongly marked
fluctuations: irregular rising and falling in number or amount
surge: a sudden and powerful increase in a value
surpassed: to become greater or better than before

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, the percentage of homeschooled students increased across all grade levels over the six-year period, with Kindergarten consistently recording the highest proportions.

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.