IELTS Task 1 Table Samples: 6 Band 7-9 Answers

[Introduction] The table shows the number of international tourist arrivals, in millions, for five countries across three years: 2010, 2015, and 2020.

[Overview] Overall, all five countries experienced growth between 2010 and 2015, followed by a dramatic decline in 2020, almost certainly reflecting the impact of the global pandemic. France received the most tourists throughout the period.

[Detail 1] France consistently led with 77.6 million arrivals in 2010, rising to 84.5 million in 2015 before dropping sharply to 42 million in 2020. Spain and the USA showed similar patterns, both growing substantially to 2015 (68.2m and 77.5m respectively) before plummeting to 19m and 22.6m in 2020.

[Detail 2] China's figures were more stable, rising marginally from 55.7m to 56.9m before falling to 27.1m. Thailand, while having the lowest absolute numbers, showed the most impressive growth rate to 2015, nearly doubling from 15.9m to 29.9m, before collapsing to just 6.7m.

[Introduction] The table compares adult literacy rates in six developing nations between 2000 and 2020.

[Overview] Overall, literacy rates improved in all six countries over the twenty-year period, though the scale of improvement varied considerably. Bangladesh recorded the most impressive gains, while Vietnam and Brazil maintained the highest rates.

[Detail 1] Vietnam and Brazil already had relatively high literacy rates in 2000 (90% and 86%), and both countries saw modest further increases to 96% and 93% respectively by 2020. India rose from 61% to 77%, a substantial improvement of 16 percentage points.

[Detail 2] Bangladesh showed the most remarkable progress, surging from 47% to 75%, an increase of 28 percentage points. Ethiopia also made significant strides, climbing from 36% to 52%. Nigeria, despite starting at a higher level than Bangladesh in 2000, showed the least improvement, rising by only 5 percentage points to 62%.

[Introduction] The table presents the number of railway passengers, in millions, on four UK routes from London in 2015 and 2023.

[Overview] Overall, passenger numbers increased on all four routes over the eight-year period. The London-Birmingham route remained the busiest throughout, carrying roughly double the passengers of some other routes.

[Detail 1] London-Birmingham was the most heavily used route, growing from 31.5 million to 35.1 million passengers, an increase of 11%. London-Manchester was the second busiest, rising by approximately 23% from 18.4 to 22.7 million, the highest proportional growth among the four routes.

[Detail 2] London-Bristol saw moderate growth from 12.8 to 14.3 million passengers. London-Edinburgh, despite having the fewest passengers at 9.2 million in 2015, experienced strong growth of 28% to reach 11.8 million by 2023, surpassing the growth rates of both the Birmingham and Bristol routes.

[Introduction] The table shows smartphone ownership rates among different age groups in the UK in 2015 and 2023.

[Overview] Overall, smartphone ownership rose across all age groups, with the most dramatic increases among older demographics. By 2023, ownership was near-universal for those under 55.

[Detail 1] Younger age groups already had high ownership in 2015: 90% for 16-24 year-olds and 88% for the 25-34 group. By 2023, both had reached near-saturation at 99% and 98% respectively. The 35-54 group rose substantially from 75% to 96%.

[Detail 2] The most notable increases were among older groups. The 55-64 category almost doubled from 50% to 88%, while the over-65s saw the largest growth, surging from just 18% to 65%, more than tripling their ownership rate over the period.

[Introduction] The table compares the number of universities ranked in the global top 100 by country in 2015 and 2023.

[Overview] Overall, while the USA retained its dominant position, its share declined noticeably. China showed the most significant growth, tripling its representation over the period.

[Detail 1] The USA had 42 universities in the top 100 in 2015 but this fell to 34 by 2023, a loss of 8 institutions though it remained the clear leader. The UK showed relative stability, declining marginally from 18 to 17.

[Detail 2] China's rise was the most dramatic, increasing from just 4 to 12 universities. Germany and Australia each gained modestly, reaching 9 apiece. The remaining countries collectively held 21 places in 2015, declining to 19 by 2023, suggesting that China's gains came partly at the expense of both American universities and smaller nations.

[Introduction] The table compares healthcare spending as a proportion of GDP in five countries in 2000 and 2022.

[Overview] Overall, healthcare expenditure rose as a share of GDP in every country over the 22-year period. The USA spent considerably more than any other nation in both years, while South Korea, despite starting lowest, showed the most dramatic increase.

[Detail 1] The USA's healthcare spending grew from 13.0% to 17.8% of GDP, far exceeding all other countries. Germany and France occupied similar positions, rising from 10.4% and 9.5% to 12.8% and 12.3% respectively, with both spending approximately 12-13% by 2022.

[Detail 2] The UK saw the largest absolute increase among European nations, jumping from 6.9% to 11.3%, thereby narrowing the gap with France and Germany. South Korea nearly doubled its healthcare spending from 4.3% to 8.4%, though it remained the lowest spender in the group.