This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of a table related to independent films released in the UK and Ireland by genre in 2012.

Tough one because there is so much data to describe in it!

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IELTS Essay Task 1: Independent Films Table

The table shows independent film releases by genre in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2012.

The table gives information about films released independently according to genre in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in a single year, 2012. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of money was generated by comedy followed closely by horror, then more distantly biopic, and drama, while other genres earned far less. This contrasts with the total number of films in some areas as dramas, documentaries and comedies were most common.

Looking at the genres with the greatest disparity first of all, there were 70 documentaries and dramas released though their box office numbers accounted for just 2.9% and 8.3% of sales, respectively. A divergent trend can be seen for comedies and horror in particular with the former constituting 17.6% of all releases and 45.4% of sales and the latter at 9.5% and 20.2%

Differences in the remaining genres were more marginal as biopics were .7% of all releases and 9.1% of revenue. The totals for crime were proportionate at 4.7% each, action made up 2.7% of all releases and a slightly higher 4.1% of sales. Finally, thrillers were 8.8% of releases and just 1.3% of sales, romance stood at 3.4% and .8%, with other representing 5.4% of films and 3.2% of tickets sales tabulated.

Analysis

1. The table gives information about films released independently according to genre in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in a single year, 2012. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of money was generated by comedy followed closely by horror, then more distantly biopic, and drama, while other genres earned far less. 3. This contrasts with the total number of films in some areas as dramas, documentaries and comedies were most common.

1. Paraphrase what the table shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the major trends and differences.
3. Add an extra sentence to be sure that you have covered everything.

1. Looking at the genres with the greatest disparity first of all, there were 70 documentaries and dramas released though their box office numbers accounted for just 2.9% and 8.3% of sales, respectively. 2. A divergent trend can be seen for comedies and horror in particular with the former constituting 17.6% of all releases and 45.4% of sales and the latter at 9.5% and 20.2%

1. Begin writing about the differences.
2. Compare as much as possible.

1. Differences in the remaining genres were more marginal as biopics were .7% of all releases and 9.1% of revenue. 2. The totals for crime were proportionate at 4.7% each, action made up 2.7% of all releases and a slightly higher 4.1% of sales. 3. Finally, thrillers were 8.8% of releases and just 1.3% of sales, romance stood at 3.4% and .8%, with other representing 5.4% of films and 3.2% of tickets sales tabulated.

1. Write about the rest of the information.
2. Make sure you have detailed all the information.
3. If you miss any, it will hurt your task achievement score.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:

The table gives information about films released independently according to genre in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in a single year, 2012. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of money was generated by comedy followed closely by horror, then more distantly biopic, and drama, while other genres earned far less. This contrasts with the total number of films in some areas as dramas, documentaries and comedies were most common.

Looking at the genres with the greatest disparity first of all, there were 70 documentaries and dramas released though their box office numbers accounted for just 2.9% and 8.3% of sales, respectively. A divergent trend can be seen for comedies and horror in particular with the former constituting 17.6% of all releases and 45.4% of sales and the latter at 9.5% and 20.2%

Differences in the remaining genres were more marginal as biopics were .7% of all releases and 9.1% of revenue. The totals for crime were proportionate at 4.7% each, action made up 2.7% of all releases and a slightly higher 4.1% of sales. Finally, thrillers were 8.8% of releases and just 1.3% of sales, romance stood at 3.4% and .8%, with other representing 5.4% of films and 3.2% of tickets sales tabulated.

Answers

gives information about illustrates

independently on its own

according to by

genre type of film

in a single year over 1 year

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall

vast majority most of

generated created

comedy funny movie

followed closely by right after it

horror scary movie

distantly far behind

biopic movie about a person

drama serious movie

earned far less made less money

contrasts shows the difference

documentaries about reality

common popular

looking at the genres with the greatest disparity first of all considering the kinds of films showing the biggest differences to begin with

box office numbers money earned

accounted for constituted

respectively in turn

divergent trend different pattern

in particular especially

former constituting first one mentioned making up

latter last one mentioned

remaining left

marginal small

revenue money earned

proportionate equal

slightly higher a bit above

thrillers exciting movies

romance love story

stood at was at

representing standing at

tabulated added up

Pronunciation

gɪvz ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃən əˈbaʊt 
ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli 
əˈkɔːdɪŋ tuː 
ˈ(d)ʒɑːŋrə 
ɪn ə ˈsɪŋgl jɪə
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt 
vɑːst məˈʤɒrɪti 
ˈʤɛnəreɪtɪd 
ˈkɒmɪdi 
ˈfɒləʊd ˈkləʊsli baɪ 
ˈhɒrə
ˈdɪstəntli ˈbaɪəʊ pɪk
ˈdrɑːmə
ɜːnd fɑː lɛs
ˈkɒntrɑːsts 
ˌdɒkjʊˈmɛntəriz 
ˈkɒmən
ˈlʊkɪŋ æt ði ˈ(d)ʒɑːŋrəz wɪð ðə ˈgreɪtɪst dɪsˈpærɪti fɜːst ɒv ɔːl
bɒks ˈɒfɪs ˈnʌmbəz 
əˈkaʊntɪd fɔː 
rɪsˈpɛktɪvli
daɪˈvɜːʤənt trɛnd 
ɪn pəˈtɪkjʊlə 
ˈfɔːmə ˈkɒnstɪtjuːtɪŋ 
ˈlætə 
rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ 
ˈmɑːʤɪnəl 
ˈrɛvɪnjuː
prəˈpɔːʃnɪt 
ˈslaɪtli ˈhaɪə 
ˈθrɪləz 
rəʊˈmæns 
stʊd æt 
ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntɪŋ 
ˈtæbjʊleɪtɪd

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The table g_____________________t films released i___________________y a__________________o g______e in the UK and the Republic of Ireland i_________________r, 2012. L______________________________________________t the v_______________y of money was g______________d by c_________y f_________________y h_________r, then more d__________y b__________c, and d________a, while other genres e_________________s. This c____________s with the total number of films in some areas as dramas, d__________________s and comedies were most c_________n.

L__________________________________________________________l, there were 70 documentaries and dramas released though their b____________________s a________________r just 2.9% and 8.3% of sales, r_____________y. A d___________________d can be seen for comedies and horror i________________r with the f_________r c__________________g 17.6% of all releases and 45.4% of sales and the l_______r at 9.5% and 20.2%

Differences in the r________________g genres were more m____________l as biopics were .7% of all releases and 9.1% of r__________e. The totals for crime were p____________________e at 4.7% each, action made up 2.7% of all releases and a s________________r 4.1% of sales. Finally, t_____________s were 8.8% of releases and just 1.3% of sales, r__________e s__________t 3.4% and .8%, with other r___________g 5.4% of films and 3.2% of tickets sales t___________d.

Listening Practice

Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a32684275/best-indie-movies/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Film/Movie Star

1. Who is your favourite film star?
2. Would you like to be a film star?
3. Have you ever met a film star in person?
4. Are film stars popular in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related process below and then check with my sample answer:

IELTS Essay Task 1: Exports Table