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 2009 | in 2010 | % Change | |
France | 76 | 76 | 0 |
USA | 66 | 67 | 1.5 |
Spain | 55 | 56 | 1.8 |
UK | 55 | 57 | 3.6 |
Italy | 44 | 45 | 2.3 |
Turkey | 32 | 46 | 33 |
China | 22 | 34 | 55 |
Germany | 10 | 24 | 109 |
Hong Kong | 10 | 9 | -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.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Begin to give the trend for most countries.
- 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.
- Begin writing about the data.
- Always compare.
- Continue comparing the data.
- 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.
- Write a new paragraph for the countries with different trends/numbers.
- 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 from … to 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
- Do you like travelling?
- What is the most beautiful country you have visited?
- Would you like to have a job that demands travelling to other countries?
- What problems can occur when travelling?
Writing Practice
Write about the graph below then check with my sample answer:
The table shows how many international tourists visited eight countries in 2009 and 2010. Overall, it is clear that the UK, Spain, France, and the USA had the most tourist arrivals while Italy, Turkey, China, Germany, and Hong Kong recorded the least numbers.
In 2009, the number of international tourists visited France was 76 million, and it did not change after a year. This figure was the highest number among the eight countries in both years. The USA, Spain, Italy, and the UK also stood at significant figures in 2009, ranging from 44 to 66 million foreign tourists were recorded. Their numbers experienced a minimal rise in 2010.
The number of visitors in Turkey and China in 2009 was 32 and 22 million, respectively. Their numbers increased by 33% for the former and 55% for the latter in the following year. Interestingly, the biggest growth in the number of tourists was experienced by Germany, starting the period with 10 million and finishing up with 24 million. However, Hong Kong international tourists were the lowest in 2009 and remained at their spot in 2010 with a percentage change of -11%.
Good work, Jessica!
We say the ‘lowest numbers’, visiting France. Stay away from the word interesting because it is too close to opinion in task 1.
Hello!
Thank you so much for this! Could you please make an assessment of my work? I would really appreciate that!
I am having my exam this week
The given table provides information about the changes occurred in the numbers of foreign tourists arriving in 8 distinct destinations throughout a 2-year period from 2009 to 2010.
We can see that the general trend was for the quantities to remain roughly stable over the period shown. For instance, the figure for France was the highest as it had been at the commencement of the timescale (76 million), while the indexes for the USA and Spain rose by approximately a mere 1.5%, the latter being 10 times higher as opposed to the former in both years. Although the UK and Italy numbers followed a similar trend, they had a little higher proportion – 3.6% and 2.3%- finishing at 57 and 45 million, respectively.
Turning to exceptions, figures for 3 countries – Turkey, China and Germany – climbed dramatically, leaping from 10, 22 and 32 million to 24, 34 and 46, with the index in German more than doubling and presenting the largest proportion over the period given. The Hong Kong rate, however, was the major exception, decreasing to a tiny fraction from 10 million, and becoming the lowest among all concerned.
Overall, despite the fact that the majority of countries demonstrated no marked alterations during the period, there were 2 exclusions where the indexes for 3 countries saw a substantial surge in the quantity of international tourists, and the one for Hong Kong which witnessed a slight decline for this purpose.
Good work, Aika!
Really accurate and high level but it is a little long – how long did it take to write it?
Thank you so much! In truth, about 25 minutes – I should definitely speed up then:)
By the way, is it logical enough?
Yes, that is fine, try to get it down to about 20 minutes if you can.
All right! I’ll strive to do so! Thank you!!!
You’re welcome!
The given table illustrates how many overseas tourists visited eight different countries in 2009 and 2010 as well as their percentage changes.
Looking from an overall perspective, all countries saw a positive change which means that more people arrived in 2010 in comparison with 2009. In contrast, there is one exception for Hong Kong where the number of tourists declined from 2009 to 2010.
France was visited by the same number of international tourists (76) in both 2009 and 2010. The USA and Spain experienced minor changes in arrivals as the percentage changes constituted only 1,5 and 1,8%, respectively. More individuals traveled to the UK and Italy (their differences accounted for 3,6% and 2.3%, in turn).
The number of tourists who went to Turkey and China increased significantly by one thirds and more than a half, respectively. Germany saw the dramatic positive change (if only 10 people visited Germany in 2009, then the number rose upto 24 arrivals in 2010), thus change made up 109%. However, trips to Hong Kong went down by -11%.
Great work, Julia!
Your overview is good though there are small mistakes throughout.
Could you also check my essay, please?
The table presents data on the number of tourists who visited nine countries from various parts of the world and the changes occured during a two-year period from 2009 to 2010. The data represented in terms of tourist arrivals as millions and percentages of population respectively.
Overall, regarding the changes in tourist arrivals, Germany showed a sharp increase, while the number of visitors of Hong Kong dropped significantly. The figures in France were stable, which has the most tourists overall, in contrast to tourist destinations, which attracted slightly more people by 2010.
In terms of tourist arrivals in 2009, France, ranking first in the list, attracted by far the highest number of visitors, approximately 76 millions. The second most popular country for tourists was the USA, who served 66 million visitors in 2009. Comparatively, the less attractive tourist destinations were Germany and Hong Kong, being visited by only 10 million people.
Regarding the changes in tourist arrivals, the number of people travelled to China and Turkey increased moderately by 55% and 33% respectively. In contrast, Hong Kong became less attractive for foreigners, whose number dropped significantly by 11% from 10 millions to 9 millions. Surprisingly, France remained the previous position, compared to Germany, who experienced a meteoric growth of 109% in travel arrivals from 2009 to 2010.
Hi there!
I’m a bit busy at the moment, but you can learn more about getting your writing checked here: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections