This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay related to a table that shows international tourist arrivals.

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IELTS Essay Task 1 Table: International Tourist Arrivals

The table details the international tourist arrivals in millions in 8 countries in 2009 and 2010 and the changes (in percentages).

in 2009in 2010% Change
France76760
USA66671.5
Spain55561.8
UK55573.6
Italy44452.3
Turkey324633
China223455
Germany1024109
Hong Kong109-11

The table compares the number of tourists arriving in 8 countries in 2009 and 2010. In general, tourism rose slightly in the United States, Spain, the UK, and Italy and increased dramatically in Turkey, China, and Germany. Figures fell in Hong Kong and were stable in France, which had the most tourists overall.

Looking first of all at France, numbers were unchanged at 76 million tourists in both years. The United States increased by 1.5% from 66 to 67 million and Spain followed a similar trajectory (55 to 56 million tourists). Tourists to the UK increased by double that rate (3.6%) and overtook Spain in 2010 by 1 million visitors. In Italy, the rate of growth was slower at 2.3%, translating to an increase to 45 million. Turkey surged past Italy, rising 33% to 46 million.

There were also significant increases in China, which went from 22 to 34 million (a 55% growth), and Germany (a 109% expansion to 24 million). The lowest numbers were in Hong Kong as tourism fell by 11% to end at 9 million.

Analysis

1. The table compares the number of tourists arriving in 8 countries in 2009 and 2010. 2. In general, tourism rose slightly in the United States, Spain, the UK, and Italy and increased dramatically in Turkey, China, and Germany. 3. Figures fell in Hong Kong and were stable in France, which had the most tourists overall.

  1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  2. Begin to give the trend for most countries.
  3. Cover the complete trend for all countries. Read more about writing your general overview and the mistake most students make with tables here.

1. Looking first of all at France, numbers were unchanged at 76 million tourists in both years. 2. The United States increased by 1.5% from 66 to 67 million and Spain followed a similar trajectory (55 to 56 million tourists). 3. Tourists to the UK increased by double that rate (3.6%) and overtook Spain in 2010 by 1 million visitors. 4. In Italy, the rate of growth was slower at 2.3%, translating to an increase to 45 million. 5. Turkey surged past Italy, rising 33% to 46 million.

  1. Begin writing about the data.
  2. Always compare.
  3. Continue comparing the data.
  4. Be sure that all data is included or implied.

1. There were also significant increases in China, which went from 22 to 34 million (a 55% growth), and Germany (a 109% expansion to 24 million). 2. The lowest numbers were in Hong Kong as tourism fell by 11% to end at 9 million.

  1. Write a new paragraph for the countries with different trends/numbers.
  2. Detail all the data clearly and accurately.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

The table compares the number of tourists arriving in 8 countries in 2009 and 2010. In general, tourism rose slightly in the United States, Spain, the UK, and Italy and increased dramatically in Turkey, China, and Germany. Figures fell in Hong Kong and were stable in France, which had the most tourists overall.

Looking first of all at France, numbers were unchanged at 76 million tourists in both years. The United States increased by 1.5% from 66 to 67 million and Spain followed a similar trajectory (55 to 56 million tourists). Tourists to the UK increased by double that rate (3.6%) and overtook Spain in 2010 by 1 million visitors. In Italy, the rate of growth was slower at 2.3%, translating to an increase to 45 million. Turkey surged past Italy, rising 33% to 46 million.

There were also significant increases in China, which went from 22 to 34 million (a 55% growth), and Germany (a 109% expansion to 24 million). The lowest numbers were in Hong Kong as tourism fell by 11% to end at 9 million.

Answers

compares contrasts

in general overall

rose slightly increased a little

increased dramatically increased a lot

figures statistics

were stable unchanged

most tourists overall highest numbers in general

looking first of all at comparing first

unchanged stable

similar trajectory almost the same pattern

increased by double that rate went up twice as much

overtook surpassed

rate of growth was slower increased by less

translating to meaning

surged past increased quickly beyond

rising increasing

significant increases big rises

went fromto going from … to

expansion increase

tourism fell tourism decreased

end at finish the period at

Pronunciation

kəmˈpeəz 
ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl
rəʊz ˈslaɪtli 
ɪnˈkriːst drəˈmætɪk(ə)li 
ˈfɪgəz 
wɜː ˈsteɪbl 
məʊst ˈtʊərɪsts ˈəʊvərɔːl
ˈlʊkɪŋ fɜːst ɒv ɔːl æt 
ʌnˈʧeɪnʤd 
ˈsɪmɪlə ˈtræʤɪktəri 
ɪnˈkriːst baɪ ˈdʌbl ðæt reɪt 
ˌəʊvəˈtʊk 
reɪt ɒv grəʊθ wɒz ˈsləʊə 
trænsˈleɪtɪŋ tuː 
sɜːʤd pɑːst 
ˈraɪzɪŋ 
sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈɪnkriːsɪz 
wɛnt frɒm … tuː 
ɪksˈpænʃən 
ˈtʊərɪz(ə)m fɛl 
ɛnd æt 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The table c____________s the number of tourists arriving in 8 countries in 2009 and 2010. I____________l, tourism r_____________y in the United States, Spain, the UK, and Italy and i_________________________y in Turkey, China, and Germany. F_________s fell in Hong Kong and w___________e in France, which had the m__________________l.

L_______________________t France, numbers were u____________d at 76 million tourists in both years. The United States increased by 1.5% from 66 to 67 million and Spain followed a s___________________y (55 to 56 million tourists). Tourists to the UK i________________________e (3.6%) and o_____________k Spain in 2010 by 1 million visitors. In Italy, the r________________________r at 2.3%, t_________________o an increase to 45 million. Turkey s_____________t Italy, r__________g 33% to 46 million.

There were also s________________________s in China, which w__________m 22 t__ 34 million (a 55% growth), and Germany (a 109% e______________n to 24 million). The lowest numbers were in Hong Kong as t_______________l by 11% to e_________t 9 million.

Listening Practice

Learn about tourism in France below:

Reading Practice

Read The New York Times travel section below:

https://www.nytimes.com/section/travel

Speaking Practice

Talk about the following topics from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Travelling

  1. Do you like travelling?
  2. What is the most beautiful country you have visited?
  3. Would you like to have a job that demands travelling to other countries?
  4. What problems can occur when travelling?

Writing Practice

Write about the graph below then check with my sample answer:

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