The table below shows the number of visitors in the UK and their average spending from 2003 to 2008.
Sample Response
The table displays information regarding visitors, spending and the length of their trip to the UK from 2003 to 2008. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall visits, total spending, and average spending rose considerably with only average nights per visit falling towards the end of the period. The largest growth proportionally was for total spending.
Looking first of all at quantity of visits, there were 24,715,000 million travellers to the UK in 2003 and this figure climbed steadily by around 2 to 3 million each year until 2006 when it plateaued at about 32 million before receding slightly to 31.8 million to finish the time surveyed. Similarly, average spending in billions of pounds rose sharply from 11.855 to a 16.002 in 2006, then leveled off and, in contrast, rebounded marginally to finish the period at 16.323.
In terms of average spending, this figure began at 475 pounds in 2003, declined moderately to 266 the next year and then rose consistently to conclude with a final surge to 511 in 2008. The only data to decline was average nights per visit which began at 8.2 in 2003, remained level for a year and then rose by.1 each year until 2006, before a sudden drop to 7.7 nights in 2007 and 2008.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use the table label Original: quantity Suggested revision: number Why it matters: Number is the natural term for the count of visits shown in the table.
- 2. Correct value and unit Original: 24,715,000 million travellers Suggested revision: 24.715 million visits Why it matters: The table reports 24.715 million visits, while the original wording multiplies the figure and changes visits to travellers.
- 3. Include the plateau year Original: until 2006 when it plateaued at about 32 million before receding slightly Suggested revision: until 2006, remained near 32 million in 2007, and then receded slightly Why it matters: The table shows virtually unchanged figures in 2006 and 2007 before the decline in 2008.
- 4. Use concise time wording Original: to finish the time surveyed Suggested revision: at the end of the period Why it matters: This is a clearer and more conventional way to refer to the final year.
- 5. Correct the measure Original: average Suggested revision: total Why it matters: The values from 11.855 to 16.323 belong to total spending, not average spending per visit.
- 6. Remove the article Original: to a 16.002 Suggested revision: to 16.002 Why it matters: A is not used before this numerical value in the from-to structure.
- 7. Report the intervening dip Original: then leveled off and, in contrast, rebounded marginally Suggested revision: then dipped slightly before rebounding marginally Why it matters: Total spending fell from 16.002 in 2006 to 15.960 in 2007 before rising in 2008.
- 8. Correct the figure Original: declined moderately to 266 Suggested revision: declined slightly to 466 Why it matters: Average spending per visit was 466 pounds in 2004, not 266.
- 9. Clarify the overall decline Original: The only data to decline Suggested revision: The only measure to end below its starting value Why it matters: Other measures had temporary year-to-year falls, while average nights was the only one lower in 2008 than in 2003.
- 10. Write the decimal fully Original: rose by.1 each year Suggested revision: rose by 0.1 each year Why it matters: A decimal below one requires a leading zero for clear formal notation.
- 11. List all four measures Original: visitors, spending and the length of their trip Suggested revision: the number of visits, total spending, average spending per visit, and average nights per visit Why it matters: The revision names each column accurately and distinguishes total spending from the two per-visit measures.
- 12. Streamline the overview Original: Looking from an overall perspective Suggested revision: Overall Why it matters: A concise overview marker improves the paragraph's flow.
Suggested Rewrites
- quantity number
- 24,715,000 million travellers 24.715 million visits
- until 2006 when it plateaued at about 32 million before receding slightly until 2006, remained near 32 million in 2007, and then receded slightly
- to finish the time surveyed at the end of the period
- average total
- to a 16.002 to 16.002
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is well structured and gives a clear overview of the broad changes across all four measures, supported by a useful selection of figures. Its main weakness is data accuracy: 24.715 million is misexpressed as 24,715,000 million, 466 becomes 266, and one column is mislabeled. Check every value and unit directly against the table before refining phrasing, as accurate reporting is the most urgent improvement.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
A clear overview and broad coverage of all four measures are weakened by significant errors in a visitor unit, a spending value, and a column label.
Verify every figure and heading against the table, especially 24.715 million visits, £11.855 billion total spending, and £466 average spending in 2004.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically divided and progresses by measure, although a few connectors do not accurately express the relationship between trends.
Use linking words such as 'similarly' and 'in contrast' only when the following comparison genuinely matches that relationship.
Lexical Resource
A broad range of trend and comparison vocabulary is used effectively, despite several imprecise collocations and labels.
Use exact terms such as 'number of visits' and 'total spending' rather than 'quantity of visits' or 'average spending in billions.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied complex structures with generally strong control, while a few article, spacing, and expression errors remain noticeable.
Proofread constructions such as 'to a 16.002' and 'rose by.1' to remove small but avoidable grammatical and mechanical errors.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The table below shows the number of visitors in the UK and their average spending from 2003 to 2008.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.