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Academic Writing - Describing Information in a Table

How to describe data presented in a table

This is an example of how to describe data given in tabular format based on an Academic IELTS Writing test task 1 question, shown below.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below shows the proportion of time different age groups spend on various internet activities. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 250 words.



Internet Activities by Age Group

Academic Writing - Describing Information in a Table

How do you describe information in a table?

The table provides information about the proportion of time people of different ages spend on different activities on the internet. The people are divided into 6 age groups which range from 10 to 50 years old and over. The categories of activity on the Internet include online shopping, browsing news and sports sites, game playing and social media use.

The information shows that Internet usage varies greatly between people of different ages. The youngest age group (10-15) spends the most time playing games while the oldest age group (50+) spends the least amount of time on this activity. People aged 16-40 spend more of their time on social network sites than those who are over 40 years old, with the 16-20 age group spending 51% of their time on this particular activity. Most adults participate in online shopping, those in the 30-39 age group spend more than a third of their time on this activity, while those over 50 years old only spend 10% of their time shopping.

Overall, older people, those over 40, spend most of their time on news and sports sites in contrast to younger people who play more games and spend more time on social media.



How would you describe the proportion of time different age groups spend on various internet activities?

IELTS Preparation Tips

IELTS is the most important exam for your future. If you plan to study abroad, get a job in an English-speaking country, or want to improve your communication skills, then this is the perfect test for you.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam tests all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. IELTS is accepted by universities and employers worldwide, so you must do well on this test!

To help people prepare for the exam, we have compiled some tips from our experts to prepare for their IELTS exams. We will share everything we know about what works best when preparing for the IELTS exam.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam?

Are you going to take the IELTS test soon? If so, this is an opportunity for you. The reason is simple: if you get a high score on the IELTS exam, it will open up doors that would have been closed otherwise. It can help you get into college or university and even land that dream job in another country! And there are many other benefits as well.

How Can I Prepare for IELTS at Home?

You can find a ton of free resources online to help you. Ultimately, it all comes down to practice! Build your confidence to do well on the test by knowing what to expect so that you can write answers without melting down.

The internet is full of tutorials, videos, pdfs with different types of exercises/tests for reading/listening comprehension, vocabulary building drills.

So no matter what type of skill-set you have, there is something for everyone. More importantly, many allow instant access to authentic exam preparation resources.



How Can I Crack IELTS in 10 Days?

Take regular breaks! A break from IELTS prep will help you pass on your next attempt. Why? After each learning session, your brain needs to do some serious processing of new information before it can think about automating that information into long-term memory.

For new things to stick, repetition is key!

Practice writing IELTS tasks daily, so you have something to refer back to once the test day comes around.

Read a wide variety of texts and try different strategies for tackling questions - there's no one single right answer!

Finally, give yourself enough time off between practice tests so that your brain has a chance to decompress and review everything learned up until that point!

10 days might not be ideal, but you can do a lot of practice if you avoid mental burnout!

Ideally, IELTS preparation is not something you do in 10 days because it normally requires long-term preparation. But you can still score well if your general English is good enough.

There are several approaches to IELTS preparation. Here is one: spend 40 hours studying with 20 hours devoted to speaking practice and the remaining time divided between Writing, Reading, and Listening.

  • Read something out loud every day as a speaking warm-up exercise.
  • Practice writing a short paragraph or summarize a short text against the clock to develop your writing skills under pressure.


  • Academic Writing - What is Analytical Paragraph Structure?

    A paragraph is a coherent block of text that covers a topic or point. It usually consists of 3-5 sentences, but the length varies depending on what you're writing. Use a topic statement (topic sentence) to begin the paragraph. This sentence informs the rest of the content that follows. This way, you can show progression and coherence throughout your discussion in an argumentative essay when you present it through paragraphs with purposeful titles.

    Academic Writing - How to Write an Analytical Paragraph

    To write an analytical paragraph, you must read closely and identify the theme in the text. Then, generate a thesis statement that analyzes or restates it. Restate what your close reading of the passage reveals about this idea and how it links with other parts of your discussion.

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