Table

1) Main Features Identification:

• When dealing with a table in Writing Task 1, focus on identifying the key trends, comparisons, and significant data points. 

• Look for the highest and lowest values, patterns, changes over time, and any notable exceptions.

2) Structure:

1. Paragraph 1 (Introduction)

   • Paraphrase the task statement.

   • Mention the main features of the table.

2. Paragraph 2 (Overview)

   • Provide a concise overview of the most significant trends or patterns.

   • You don't need to mention every detail; just focus on the key points.

3. Paragraph 3 (Details)

   • Organize your paragraphs around the major trends or categories in the table.

   • Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence, followed by specific details and comparisons.

   • Use data from the table to support your descriptions.

4. Paragraph 4 (Conclusion)

   • Summarize the main trends or patterns mentioned in the overview.

   • Provide a closing statement that reinforces the significance of the data.

3) Tips:

• Read the Title and Headings Carefully: Understand what the table is about and the categories presented.

• Identify Key Categories: Determine the main categories in the table. These could be time periods, products, countries, etc.

• Look for Trends: Identify trends, comparisons, and anomalies in the data. Highlight changes, highest/lowest values, and consistent patterns.

• Paraphrase the Information: Use synonyms and varied vocabulary to describe the data. Avoid repeating the same words from the table.

• Use Comparatives and Superlatives: Express differences and degrees by using comparative and superlative adjectives (e.g., higher, lower, highest, lowest).

• Use Approximations: It's okay to round numbers for simplification. For example, 25.7% could be mentioned as around a quarter or approximately 25%.

• Use Linking Words: Employ appropriate linking words to connect ideas and paragraphs (e.g., furthermore, however, in contrast).

• Keep it Objective: Stick to the data presented in the table and avoid personal opinions.

• Practice Time Management: Allocate around 20 minutes for Task 1 to ensure you have sufficient time for Task 2 as well.

• Proofread: Allocate a few minutes at the end to check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and clarity of expression.

4) Sample Answer:

• The table provides information about the fees paid by foreign postgraduate students in three countries for different subjects, as well as meals and accommodation.

• It is clear from the table that Country A had the lowest fees for all fields of study and meals and accommodation, while Country B and Country C had noticeably similar, higher fees. Of all the countries, Country B had the highest fees overall.

• To begin, the Arts and Commerce courses not only had the exact same fees, but they were also the lowest in the table, with $8,000 for Country A, $18,000 for Country B and $19,000 for Country C. The course fees for Computing and Science were close in all the countries. In Country A they were identical at $11,000, whereas in Country B the Computing course was $27,000 and Science cost $2,000 more. The figures for Country C were slightly lower at $24,000 for Computing and $25,000 for Science.

• The fees for meals and accommodation varied significantly across the 3 countries. The most affordable cost of $8,000 belonged to Country A, followed by $11,000 in country C and the most expensive meals and housing costs ($17,000) were recorded in Country B.

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