Below is a model answer for an IELTS complex table for writing task 1. It is not common to be given a table with so many categories and numbers. But this model answer will help you understand how to organise the information. Last updated 2020.
IELTS Complex Table
Download a word doc of this table by clicking: IELTS Complex Table
Source: IELTS Liz
Band 9 Model Answer
This model answer was provided by Tony Grace, experienced IELTS tutor.
The tables illustrate the proportion of people assessing six aspects of one city’s life as good, average, or bad, in 1980 and 2010.
Overall, healthcare, education, and the environment were given the highest scores in both years, and transport facilities received the lowest. Meanwhile, education’s rating rose over the period, while that of transportation fell.
In 1980, people rated healthcare, education, and the environment the highest, with over 80% approving of healthcare, while the other two had figures of 72%. Under 10% of respondents thought these three services were bad. As for shopping and unemployment, both had similar figures, as 62-64% expressed approval, and 22-24% said they were average. Only a half of those surveyed gave a high score to transportation, with roughly a third stating it was bad.
Turning to 2010, the most significant changes were seen in education, as over 80% were happy with it, and in healthcare whose good rating fell to 74%. The employment situation improved, as in 2010, almost three-quarters of those asked expressed satisfaction. In contrast, approval of the transport facilities fell to 39%, and a similar proportion stated it was bad. Finally, with regard to the environment and shopping, their approval levels both remained relatively unchanged.
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The two tables illustrate the outcome of surveys done on 6 different aspects (Education, Healthcare, Environment, Shops, Employment, and Transport) of living in a specific city in the year 1980 and 2010, Results are calculated in terms of percentage.
Overall, the transport criteria were given the worst rating in both years 1980 and 2010. On the other hand, in 1980, healthcare was the most rated aspect. While in 2010, it was education.
In the year 1980, the education sector was rated good by 72%, neither good nor bad by 23%, and bad by 5% people whose rating rose by +10%, -12%, and +4% respectively. In the employment sector, there was a 10% increase in good criteria, a 17% downfall in neither good nor bad criteria, and a 13% surge in bad criteria.
On the flip side, there was a downward trend in healthcare, environment, shops, and transport criteria. In goodness criteria, there was a dip of 8% in healthcare, a mere decrease of 1% in environment, 4% downfall in shops, and 13% of a drastic drop in the transport sector.
180 words
The two pie charts illustrate the percentage of students joined from different countries in various subjects in northwest university.
Overall, it can be seen the highest number of students joined the arts, science and computing subjects. Additionally, most numbers of students who joined the arts were from South America.
It is crystal clear the lowest number of students joined subjects such as engineering, law and medicine (9%, 6% and 5%). Whereas, highest number of students contributed in subjects as followed were arts by 23 precent, computing by 22 precent and science was by 21 precent.
The lowest number of students who joined the subject of art was from Africa Australian and Asia. On the other hand, European contributed to arts subject were 21 precent. Finally, it can be seen all students who contributed to arts subject were non us people.
( i have tried to describe on of the pie chart i would appreciate if you can give me feedback on this . The pie chart is from your page)
Sorry I don’t offer feedback or marking.
I was wondering why the “rules” of the IELTS Writing Task 1 tell me that I shouldn’t write more than 180 words but this model answer has over 200 words. If that kind of chart will be used for my exam I i would be very frustrated knowing that I couldn’t write a report between 150 – 180 words with 2 tables given! In addition to that, it also says if I use too many words I would miss my points for the required report…. So is this really a recommended model answer or am I missing a point and we can write more than 180 words?
There are no rules of IELTS saying you should write under 180 words for task 1.
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Hello Liz,
I was wondering if you could read the report I wrote regarding this exercise. I have my exam this Friday 9th and this is the third time I have to take the exam to improve my writing grade. Here it goes:
The table illustrates the results of 2 surveys done in two different years, 1980 and 2010 on 6 aspects of a particular city (education, healthcare, environment, shops, employment and transport). Users could vote between good, neither good nor bad or bad. Units are measured in percentage.
Overall, after 30 years more people assessed negatively all the aspects of the city. However, some of those were voted more positively in 2010, compared to those results from 1980. Nevertheless, “neither good nor bad” category did not register any particular trend between these years.
With regards to education and employment, after three decades the survey registered a significant rise of 10% of positive votes (from 72 % to 82% and from 62% to 72%, respectively). Contrary to what we see in healthcare and transport, with a fall in “good” votes from 82% to 74% and from 52% to 39%, respectively.
On the other hand, in terms of shops and environment, votes remained similar, without dramatic changes, from 1980 to 2010 (from 72% to 71% and from 64% to 60%, respectively).
Are you sure about being vague about Numbers . Cause they have clearly specified the number of people who voted for facilities.
I don’t understand your question. Can you explain more clearly?
Hello Mam.Is it correct if I write my thesis statement like.. This essay agree that… And this essay will discuss about.. Etc
If the instructions ask for your opinion, “this essay agrees” does not represent YOUR own opinion. If the instructions ask for YOUR opinion, you must give it – I THINK / I AGREE / I BELIEVE. You are either direct or you are failing the task.
Hello Liz, here I am asking your help for writing task 2.If I want to disagree a statement, whether I should give the reasons for disagree or whether I can suggest another option.For instance development of business results in a loss of cultural ties between countries. I want to disagree with this statement.My opinion is tourism may more effective than business… How can I answer for that question? please give me an idea. thanks in advance
I can’t comment unless you write the full essay question with your full introduction.
Mam,if for task2 ,it is to discuss both views and give your opinion, can my opinion be stated in the conclusion or should it be in the body paragraphs?
It should be stated in the intro, body and conclusion. It is not less important than the discussion.
Ok thank you mam….do you mean to say that there should be minimum 3 body paragraphs for this kind of essay….(1-one of the view,2-the other view,3-my opinion)…
It depends what your opinion is. If your opinion agrees with one side, then put it in that body paragraph.
Thank a lot mam for the clarification…I understand
Thanks again Liz…….Your lessons are very much useful for me. I get 6 band overall but lowest in speaking(5 band).Could you plz tell me how to improve speaking skills.Now I again give test on 2 Dec. Plz help me Liz😔😦
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/
I want ask you about this task dear Liz. If I don’t have time to mention all aspects, can I write about the highest percentage and lowest percentage? Please, I need to know the answer.
You need to mention all categories but not all numbers. You select the numbers and trends that are most relevant to each category. In some cases, the highest, in some cases no change, in some cases significant drop. You choose the relevant feature. You can’t learn a rule for this. Each table is different and you need to be able to identify key features and decide how to present details.
Hello Liz,
Can an alternative overview be written as, “Overall, rating of education and employment sectors rose over time. However, in the same record of time, score of other areas depleted” ?
I have a problem in writing overview of the task which contains comparison of data from different years, i get confused what to take as a base of my overview. Can you help me out here Liz?
Thank you.
Highlight which had the highest rating and which had the lowest. Also highlight main changes. The overview in this model is 100% complete.
In reading 3 paragraph .
First. On person missing in land or island until now .
And his adventure .
Second. On memories .
Contain researsher resultes about smell and experimental for study the brain.
Final. Game theory .
The queation for 4 section exam as you mention in all videos and pages
But in this task, percentage unit was not mentioned….. can we assume that?
In the description given by IELTS, it mentions that the units are percentage. In the introduction of the model answer, it states: “The tables illustrate the proportion..” this means percentage.
Would you please share with me how to write task 2 of advantage or disadvantage, .
Thanks
See the model essay on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/. If this is not enough, think of getting my advanced lessons which explain in great depth how to write these types of essays: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
“Meanwhile, healthcare’s rating rose over the period, while that of transportation fell.”
Healthcare’s rating decline not rise
Thanks 🙂
Thnku vry much 😊
Please my tell me about task 2 I fill my 25 November
You take a test, you don’t fill it. Be careful with your English. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
On 4th.Nov .2017
Writting task 1 : map and graph shows physical size and population gtowth in Egyption city of Alexandaria
Task 2 : in education and employment , some people work harder than other .
What are the reasons ?
Is it good to work harder ?
Speaking test in 3th.Nov. 2017
Are you work or study and some question about that .
Are you prefer ring or any jularies ?
Why ?ifyou give any one gift of jularies?
Card: about any website help you ?
How know about it ?
What content ?
Advantage of website ?
Advice for other people to used?
Using internet for learning children ?
Do you agree with can replacement the face to face learning ?
Transportation
Do you prefer bus ?
In future will you try to use buses?
Thanks for sharing 🙂
You are welcom
I am really benefit from your website .
Thanks for your efforts.
In listning
Conversation between agent and rental proporty .
Two person prepar for presentation for anotomy .
I am forgeting the rest.