IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 – Sample Test04 (Table)

Task Question

The table below shows the percentage of households with Internet access in five different countries (USA, UK, Germany, Japan, and Brazil) in 2000, 2005 and 2010.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 table question – percentage of households with Internet access in USA, UK, Germany, Japan and Brazil (2000–2010)

Figure: Percentage of households with Internet access (2000–2010)

Sample Answer (Band 7.5–8)

The table compares the proportion of households with Internet access in five countries between 2000 and 2010. Overall, Internet penetration increased substantially in all nations, with the USA consistently leading, while Brazil remained the lowest despite notable growth.

In 2000, the USA had the highest percentage of connected households at 45%, followed by Germany (35%) and the UK (30%). Japan stood at a modest 25%, whereas Brazil lagged far behind with only 10%.

By 2005, figures had risen markedly across the board. The USA exceeded 60%, Germany and the UK were almost equal at around 55–60%, and Japan had nearly doubled to 45%. Brazil also more than doubled its share, reaching 25%.

In 2010, Internet access had become widespread in developed countries, with the USA at 78%, Germany and the UK at around 72–74%, and Japan at 65%. Brazil, although still the lowest at 48%, showed the most dramatic relative growth.

To summarize, while all five countries experienced a strong upward trend in Internet connectivity, the gap between developed and developing nations, though narrowed, still persisted by 2010.

Expert Analysis – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (Table)

Strengths

  • Clear overview: The answer identifies the overall upward trend and the ranking (USA highest, Brazil lowest).
  • Coverage: All five countries and three years are addressed with relevant comparisons.
  • Data control: Accurate use of key figures (e.g., 45% → 78%) without overloading the paragraph.
  • Academic tone: Formal, concise phrasing typical of IELTS Task 1.

Weaknesses

  • Sentence variety: Predominantly descriptive clauses; fewer concessive/conditional forms.
  • Lexical repetition: Frequent use of “increased/rose/accounted for” limits lexical range.
  • Comparative depth: Limited cross-country contrasts within the same year (e.g., UK vs Germany in 2005).
  • Quantification balance: Some sections could integrate ratios (“nearly two-thirds”) to enrich description.

Actionable Improvements

  • Vary structures: Use concessive or conditional frames: “While Brazil recorded the lowest figures, it experienced the steepest relative growth.”
  • Tighten comparisons: Add within-year contrasts: “In 2005, Germany (60%) slightly outpaced the UK (55%).”
  • Blend measures: Mix absolute values with proportions: “Together, the USA and Germany represented roughly two-thirds of connected households by 2010.”
  • Upgrade cohesion: Rotate connectors: “by contrast, conversely, nonetheless, in parallel.”
  • Prioritise significance: Lead with the largest changes; demote minor shifts to secondary clauses.

High-Band Sentence Templates

  • “By 2010, Internet access had become near-universal in the USA (78%), whereas Brazil, despite substantial gains, remained below the 50% threshold (48%).”
  • “Between 2000 and 2005, Japan almost doubled its coverage (25% → 45%), outpacing the UK’s rise in relative terms.”
  • “Had Brazil continued at its mid-period pace, it might have closed the gap with Japan more decisively by 2010.”

Vocabulary Boost (Task 1 – Table)

  • outpace
  • narrow the gap
  • plateau
  • uptick
  • surge
  • marginal gain
  • predominant
  • relative growth
  • by contrast
  • collectively

Common Pitfalls (Avoid)

  • Writing reasons/causes → Task 1 requires description, not speculation.
  • Listing every number → Summarise; highlight only salient data.
  • Missing overview → Always provide a global trend and ranking.

Band Justification

The response fulfils Band 7.5–8: clear overview, accurate data handling, and logical organisation. To approach Band 8.5–9, increase grammatical flexibility (concessive/conditional clauses), expand lexical variety, and deepen intra-year comparisons.

Expert Analysis – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (Table)

Strengths / نقاط قوت

  • ✅ پاسخ یک نمای کلی واضح از روندها ارائه می‌دهد. Clear overview: The answer identifies the overall upward trend and the ranking (USA highest, Brazil lowest).
  • ✅ تمام کشورها و سال‌ها پوشش داده شده‌اند و مقایسه‌ها درست انجام شده‌اند. Coverage: All five countries and three years are addressed with relevant comparisons.
  • ✅ اعداد درست استفاده شده‌اند بدون اینکه متن شلوغ شود. Data control: Accurate use of key figures without overloading the paragraph.
  • ✅ لحن آکادمیک و رسمی است. Academic tone: Formal, concise phrasing typical of IELTS Task 1.

Weaknesses / نقاط ضعف

  • ❌ تنوع ساختاری کم است و بیشتر جملات توصیفی‌اند. Sentence variety: Predominantly descriptive clauses; fewer concessive/conditional forms.
  • ❌ واژه‌ها تکراری‌اند (مثل increased / rose). Lexical repetition: Frequent use of “increased/rose” limits lexical range.
  • ❌ مقایسه‌های عمیق بین کشورها کم هستند. Comparative depth: Limited cross-country contrasts within the same year.

Actionable Improvements / پیشنهادهای بهبود

  • از ساختارهای شرطی یا امتیازی استفاده کن. Vary structures: Use concessive or conditional frames.
  • در یک سال کشورها را با هم مقایسه کن. Tighten comparisons: Add within-year contrasts.
  • اعداد مطلق را با درصد و نسبت ترکیب کن. Blend measures: Mix absolute values with proportions.

High-Band Sentence Templates / الگوهای جمله‌نویسی پیشرفته

  • “By 2010, Internet access had become near-universal in the USA (78%), whereas Brazil, despite substantial gains, remained below the 50% threshold (48%).”
  • “Between 2000 and 2005, Japan almost doubled its coverage (25% → 45%).”

Vocabulary Boost / تقویت لغات

  • outpace
  • narrow the gap
  • plateau
  • uptick
  • surge
  • marginal gain
  • predominant

Common Pitfalls / خطاهای رایج

  • ✘ علت یا دلیل ننویس؛ فقط توصیف کن.
  • ✘ همه اعداد را لیست نکن؛ فقط مهم‌ها.
  • ✘ نمای کلی (overview) را فراموش نکن.

Band Justification / توجیه نمره

این پاسخ در سطح 7.5 تا 8 است چون هم نمای کلی دارد، هم دقت داده‌ها و هم سازماندهی خوب. برای رسیدن به 9 باید تنوع دستوری و مقایسه‌های عمیق‌تر اضافه شود.
The response fulfils Band 7.5–8. To reach Band 9, increase grammatical flexibility, expand lexical variety, and deepen intra-year comparisons.