This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of international students in Canada and the USA from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay Task 1: International Students in Canada and the USA

The table displays the data for international students studying in Canada and the United States in 2002 and 2003. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that figures increased for all countries except those going to the United States from India. Moreover, there were significantly more international students in the United States, though overall growth was higher in Canada.

In 2002 in Canada there were 5,400 international students from China, a data point that rose by 45% to 7,850 the next year. In contrast, in the USA this number rose just 6% to reach 116,600. There were more students from India studying in the US both years (200,000 in 2002 and 182,000 in 2003, a -9% decrease) while in Canada there were fewer despite a 35% surge (2,100 and 2,835 for each year).

In Canada, the number of American students rose by 9% from 5,000 to 5,450 and in the US, Canadian students grew by a comparable 7% to 33,170. Finally, the total number of international students in all of Canada increased 17%, a growth of more than 11,000, to 70,004 while in the United States this figure climbed just 2%, ending at 592,230.

Analysis

1. The table displays the data for international students studying in Canada and the United States in 2002 and 2003. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that figures increased for all countries except those going to the United States from India. 3. Moreover, there were significantly more international students in the United States, though overall growth was higher in Canada.

1. Paraphrase what the table shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
3. You might need another sentence for your overview.

1. In 2002 in Canada there were 5,400 international students from China, a data point that rose by 45% to 7,850 the next year. 2. In contrast, in the USA this number rose just 6% to reach 116,600. 3. There were more students from India studying in the US both years (200,000 in 2002 and 182,000 in 2003, a -9% decrease) while in Canada there were fewer despite a 35% surge (2,100 and 2,835 for each year).

1. Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
2. Make sure you compare as much as possible.
3. Don’t leave anything out!

1. In Canada, the number of American students rose by 9% from 5,000 to 5,450 and in the US, Canadian students grew by a comparable 7% to 33,170. 2. Finally, the total number of international students in all of Canada increased 17%, a growth of more than 11,000, to 70,004 while in the United States this figure climbed just 2%, ending at 592,230.

1. Write about the final, other parts of the graph – include everything!
2. Compare the categories.

Vocabulary

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

The table displays the data for international students studying in Canada and the United States in 2002 and 2003. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that figures increased for all countries except those going to the United States from India. Moreover, there were significantly more international students in the United States, though overall growth was higher in Canada.

In 2002 in Canada there were 5,400 international students from China, a data point that rose by 45% to 7,850 the next year. In contrast, in the USA this number rose just 6% to reach 116,600. There were more students from India studying in the US both years (200,000 in 2002 and 182,000 in 2003, a -9% decrease) while in Canada there were fewer despite a 35% surge (2,100 and 2,835 for each year).

In Canada, the number of American students rose by 9% from 5,000 to 5,450 and in the US, Canadian students grew by a comparable 7% to 33,170. Finally, the total number of international students in all of Canada increased 17%, a growth of more than 11,000, to 70,004 while in the United States this figure climbed just 2%, ending at 592,230.

Answers

Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:

displays shows

data numbers, figures

international students people studying from other countries, studying abroad

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

except not including

moreover also

significantly a lot more

overall growth increased a lot

data point figure, number

rose increased

in contrast however

number data, figure

reach get to

while however, in contrast

fewer despite less regardless of

surge increased a lot

each year the two years mentioned

rose increased

comparable similar

total number overall figure

all of Canada the whole country

climbed increased

ending finishing

Pronunciation

Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:

dɪsˈpleɪz 
ˈdeɪtə 
ˌɪntə(ː)ˈnæʃənl ˈstjuːdənts 
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt ˈfɪgəz 
ɪkˈsɛpt 
mɔːˈrəʊvə
sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli 
ˈəʊvərɔːl grəʊθ 
ˈdeɪtə pɔɪnt 
rəʊz 
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
ˈnʌmbə 
riːʧ 
waɪl 
ˈfjuːə dɪsˈpaɪt 
sɜːʤ 
iːʧ jɪə
rəʊz 
ˈkɒmpərəbl 
ˈtəʊtl ˈnʌmbə 
ɔːl ɒv ˈkænədə 
klaɪmd 
ˈɛndɪŋ 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:

The table d_________s the d____a for i__________________s studying in Canada and the United States in 2002 and 2003. L____________________________________________________t f__________s increased for all countries e________t those going to the United States from India. M________r, there were s_____________y more international students in the United States, though o____________h was higher in Canada.

In 2002 in Canada there were 5,400 international students from China, a d____________t that r___e by 45% to 7,850 the next year. I____________t, in the USA this n________r rose just 6% to r______h 116,600. There were more students from India studying in the US both years (200,000 in 2002 and 182,000 in 2003, a -9% decrease) w____e in Canada there were f_______r d_________e a 35% s______e (2,100 and 2,835 for e__________r).

In Canada, the number of American students r___e by 9% from 5,000 to 5,450 and in the US, Canadian students grew by a c__________e 7% to 33,170. Finally, the t___________r of international students in a_________a increased 17%, a growth of more than 11,000, to 70,004 while in the United States this figure c_________d just 2%, e_____g at 592,230.

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.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-study-abroad

Speaking Practice

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

Your Home Nation/Country

1. Where are you from?
2. What do you like the most about your country?
3. Where would you like to live in your country?
4. Are people in your country patriotic?

Writing Practice

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

IELTS Essay Task 1: Visitors to the UK Spending Table