The table below shows the number of medals won by the top ten countries in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Sample Response
The table chart illustrates the count of medals won by the top ten nations in London Olympics Games in the year 2012. The data is calibrated in number, and the rank is given to the nation according to the winning of Gold medals.
It is evident that the United States of America and China remained at the top position in the table and the difference in the total number of medals was a little bit higher than 10. Great Britain got the Third position in the table because of more Gold medals as compared to Russia; otherwise, Russia got that position according to the total counting of medals. Moreover, the same thing has happened among Germany, France and Australia, and these nations got the lowest position after South Korea because these nations had a lower number of Gold Medals. The position of Italy and Hungary was 8th and 9th respectively in the table chart, but these nations had the same number of Gold medals.
Overall, more number of European countries got a position in the top ten countries in Olympic Games. The U.S.A owned more medals, and Australia owned a fewer number of medals in the London Olympic Games.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use precise chart type Original: The table chart illustrates Suggested revision: The table illustrates Why it matters: The visual is a table, so combining ‘table’ and ‘chart’ is inaccurate.
- 2. Use natural collocation Original: count Suggested revision: number Why it matters: ‘Number of medals’ is the standard expression for countable items.
- 3. Correct event phrase Original: in London Olympics Games Suggested revision: at the London Olympic Games Why it matters: The event name requires ‘the’, ‘Olympic’ in the singular, and the preposition ‘at’.
- 4. Use ranking verb Original: got the Third position Suggested revision: ranked third Why it matters: ‘Ranked third’ is the natural formal wording for a table position.
- 5. Correct comparison structure Original: because of more Gold medals as compared to Russia Suggested revision: because it won more gold medals than Russia Why it matters: A direct ‘more ... than’ comparison is grammatically clearer and more concise.
- 6. Use correct contrast Original: otherwise, Suggested revision: although Why it matters: The clause concedes that Russia had a higher overall total, so ‘although’ expresses the relationship correctly.
- 7. Clarify hypothetical rank Original: got that position Suggested revision: would have ranked third Why it matters: The modal form makes the hypothetical ranking by total medals explicit.
- 8. Use concise noun phrase Original: total counting of medals Suggested revision: total medal count Why it matters: ‘Total medal count’ is the conventional and concise expression.
- 9. Name the pattern Original: the same thing has happened Suggested revision: the same ranking pattern occurred Why it matters: Naming the repeated pattern creates a clearer link to the preceding comparison.
- 10. Describe ranks accurately Original: got the lowest position after South Korea Suggested revision: ranked below South Korea Why it matters: ‘Ranked below’ states the countries’ relative positions clearly and formally.
- 11. Fix agreement Original: The position of Italy and Hungary was Suggested revision: The positions of Italy and Hungary were Why it matters: The plural subject ‘positions’ requires the plural verb ‘were’.
- 12. Remove mixed label Original: in the table chart Suggested revision: in the table Why it matters: The visual should be called a table rather than a ‘table chart’.
Suggested Rewrites
- The table chart illustrates The table illustrates
- count number
- in London Olympics Games at the London Olympic Games
- got the Third position ranked third
- because of more Gold medals as compared to Russia because it won more gold medals than Russia
- otherwise, although
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response has a clear basic structure and identifies several useful rank comparisons, including the contrast between gold-medal rank and total medals. Its main limitation is sparse numerical support combined with inaccurate claims about the total-medal gap and Australia having the fewest medals. Prioritise selecting exact figures from all medal categories and building an accurate overview around the dominant and lowest totals.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response identifies some relevant rankings and comparisons, but limited data and inaccurate statements weaken its coverage of the table.
Support the overview and comparisons with exact figures, especially the 16-medal US-China gap and Hungary's lowest total.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses from an introduction through rank comparisons to an overview, although the central paragraph is dense and somewhat repetitive.
Group countries by clear comparison points and divide the long detail paragraph to make the progression easier to follow.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary conveys the main comparisons, but awkward collocations such as 'calibrated in number' and 'owned medals' reduce precision.
Use standard Task 1 expressions such as 'recorded', 'won', 'ranked', and 'had the lowest total' consistently.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of sentence forms communicates the main meaning, though article, comparison, capitalisation, and count-noun errors recur.
Improve control of comparative structures and noun phrases, particularly forms such as 'more medals' and 'fewer medals'.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The table below shows the number of medals won by the top ten countries in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.