IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Table Kiwi Exports (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)

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This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer essay from the real exam on the topic of kiwi fruit exports from New Zealand to various other countries.

Table are usually the hardest to write about because the information is really hard to group together.

Read more about how to write overviews for tables here and how to write about IELTS tables in general here.

Be sure to check out my Patreon exclusive essays as well.

Dave

Before reading my answer, practice by listening to the audio and trying to write down all the data in the table on a piece of paper:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Table Kiwi Exports (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)

The given table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The most striking feature of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which increased the most and were highest overall by far. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, respectively, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing the least by a significant margin.

Looking first at the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a surge to $325,300,000 by the end of the period. China showed a similar growth pattern increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to end at $94,000,000. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, nearly doubling to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.

In contrast, Mexican imports stood at $6,000,000 before falling by more than half to $2,400,000, and then recovering slightly to $3,300,000. Saudia Arabia fell more steadily ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).

Word Count: 174

Analysis

1. The given table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. 2. The most striking feature of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which increased the most and were highest overall by far. 3. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, respectively, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing the least by a significant margin.

Paraphrase what the graph shows for your first sentence – write it short and simple!
For a table, pick out the biggest area/areas and say whether or not they increased/decreased and if they were the highest overall.
Include all categories in your overview – did they increase or decrease? That is most important. Read more about the mistake 99% of students make with overviews for tables here.

1. Looking first at the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a surge to $325,300,000 by the end of the period. 2. China showed a similar growth pattern increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to end at $94,000,000. 3. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, nearly doubling to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.

Begin talking about one area of the table. I group together the countries with increasing imports.
Compare one country to another – notice that I say they had similar growth patterns.
Make sure that you include all date, for all countries (sometimes you may need to group countries or data togethe with more complex tables/graphs).

1. In contrast, Mexican imports stood at $6,000,000 before falling by more than half to $2,400,000, and then recovering slightly to $3,300,000. 2. Saudia Arabia fell more steadily ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).

In this paragraph I describe the two countries with declining imports.
Use parenthesis ( … ) sometimes so that your writing doesn’t get too repetitive.

Vocabulary

Can you think of a synonym for each of the words in bold below?

The given table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The most striking feature of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which increased the most and were highest overall by far. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, respectively, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing the least by a significant margin.

Looking first at the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a surge to $325,300,000 by the end of the period. China showed a similar growth pattern increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to end at $94,000,000. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, nearly doubling to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.

In contrast, Mexican imports stood at $6,000,000 before falling by more than half to $2,400,000, and then recovering slightly to $3,300,000. Saudia Arabia fell more steadily ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).

Answers

given presented

most striking feature what stands out the most

increased the most went up a lot

highest overall by far took up the largest proportion

respectively in turn

the least the lowest amount

by a significant margin by a lot

looking first at firstly

surge increase a lot

end of the period where the table finishes

similar growth pattern same increasing trend

end at finish at

nearly doubling increasing by nearly 100%

in contrast however

stood at was at

falling by more than half decreasing by over 50%

recovering slightly increasing a little

fell more steadily decreased at the same intervals

Pronunciation

ˈgɪvn
məʊst ˈstraɪkɪŋ ˈfiːʧə
ɪnˈkriːst ðə məʊst
ˈhaɪɪst ˈəʊvərɔːl baɪ fɑː
rɪsˈpɛktɪvli
ðə liːst
baɪ ə sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈmɑːʤɪn
ˈlʊkɪŋ fɜːst æt
sɜːʤ
ɛnd ɒv ðə ˈpɪərɪəd
ˈsɪmɪlə grəʊθ ˈpætən
ɛnd æt
ˈnɪəli ˈdʌblɪŋ
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
stʊd æt
ˈfɔːlɪŋ baɪ mɔː ðæn hɑːf
rɪˈkʌvərɪŋ ˈslaɪtli
fɛl mɔː ˈstɛdɪli

Listen and repeat:

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The _____________ table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The _____________ of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which _____________ and were _____________. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, _____________, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing _____________ _____________.

_____________ the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a _____________ to $325,300,000 by the _____________. China showed a _____________ increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to _____________ $94,000,000. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, _____________ to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.

_____________, Mexican imports _____________ $6,000,000 before _____________ to $2,400,000, and then _____________ to $3,300,000. Saudia Arabia _____________ ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).

Listen and check: