Writing Activity
filename: tables_guided
Follow essay submission procedure
Study the table below, including the heading and footnotes, and write your report. Read the advice at the bottom of the page before you begin.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The table below shows the number of visits to the UK by overseas residents between 1975 and 1998.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
You should write at least 150 words.
The table below shows the number of visits to the UK by overseas residents between 1975 and 1998.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
You should write at least 150 words.
Visit to the UK by overseas residents |
1975 |
1987 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
Number of visits (millions) of which |
9.5 |
15.6 |
25.2 |
25.5 |
25.7 |
Total business |
1.8 |
3.6 |
6.1 |
6.3 |
6.9 |
Total leisure |
7.7 |
12.0 |
19.1 |
19.2 |
18.9 |
Total by North American residents |
1.9 |
3.4 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
Total by residents of Western Europe |
5.9 |
9.3 |
18.8 |
16.7 |
16.6 |
Total other residents |
1.7 |
2.9 |
4.7 |
4.7 |
4.6 |
*Liesure-Holiday visits to friends and relatives and miscellaneous visits
*Western Europe-EU and Western European countries
Source: UK in figures 2000, National Statistics
TASK APPROACH
- Begin with an introductory statement, e.g. The table/graph/bar chart shows ….
- Don’t try to describe every detail. Look for significant features: the greatest increase or decrease, the shortest time period, the overall trend, etc.
- Think about the clearest way to express figures, e.g. in percentages or expressions like one in ten, etc.
- Don’t speculate about reasons for trends. Stick to the facts.
