Academic Writing Sample Task 1 #66
IELTS Writing Tip: Comparing Data
Where more than one table is given in task 1 of the writing test, you are expected to compare and contrast the information. There are TWO ways of structuring this kind of writing task. Firstly, present the information from one table, then compare and contrast it with the information in the other table. Alternatively, compare the information point by point, that is describe point 1 in the first table and compare it with point 1 in the second table, and so on. Remember that whichever approach you take you should always begin with an overview of the table and try to limit your answers to the most significant points.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The tables below give information about the amount of beer and fruit juice consumed per person per year in different countries.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
The tables show the amount of beer and fruit juice consumed per person per year in countries around the world. Beer is most popular in Ireland, with the average Irish drinking 155 litres per year. Germany ranks second with 119 litres per person. In fact, the top six countries in terms of consumption of beer are all European. Australia and The United States come next in seventh and eighth positions, with Netherland and Finland consuming the least beer of the countries mentioned. Finnish people only drink an average of 79 litres of beer a year.
The country which consumes by the greatest quantity of fruit juice per capita is Canada. Canadians drink an average of 52.6 litres each a year, that’s almost double the consumption of New Zealand, which is placed at the bottom of the table. Another North American country, The United States, come second in the table, while German drinkers are ranked at number three, consuming an average of 38.6 litres annually. Swedes drink approximately the same quantity of fruit juice as Australians, which is 35.5 litres per year. The Finnish and the British drink 33 and 29.3 litres per year respectively.
(194 words)