IELTS WRITING TASK 1 – TABLE SAMPLE

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below gives information about student enrolments at Manchester University in 1937, 1967 and 2017.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Sample Answer

The table compares the percentage of male and female students enrolled in different faculties at Manchester University in three different years: 1937, 1967 and 2017.

Overall, it can be seen that the percentage of female students increased significantly over the 80-year period, from 25% in 1937 to 55% in 2017. The most popular faculty among female students in all three years was Arts and Humanities, while the least popular was Engineering. The most popular faculty among male students changed from Social Sciences in 1937 to Science in 2017, while the least popular was Medicine.

In 1937, Arts and Humanities had the highest percentage of female students with 75%, followed by Medicine with 50%. Social Sciences and Science had the same percentage of female students, with 25% each. Engineering had no female students at all. Among male students, Social Sciences had the highest percentage with 75%, followed by Science and Engineering with 50% each. Arts and Humanities had the lowest percentage of male students with 25%, while Medicine had only 10%.

In 1967, the percentage of female students rose to 40%, with Arts and Humanities still leading with 75%. Medicine increased to 60%, while Science increased to 40%. Social Sciences and Engineering both had 20% of female students. Among male students, Science had the highest percentage with 60%, followed by Social Sciences with 40%. Arts and Humanities and Engineering both had 25% of male students, while Medicine decreased to 5%.

In 2017, the percentage of female students reached 55%, with Arts and Humanities having the largest share with 80%. Medicine also had a high percentage of female students with 70%, while Science had 50%. Social Sciences had 40% of female students, while Engineering had the lowest percentage with only 10%. Among male students, Science had the highest percentage with 50%, followed by Engineering with 40%. Social Sciences and Medicine both had 30% of male students, while Arts and Humanities had the smallest share with only 20%.