Table Model Answer
Task
The table below shows the number of international tourists (in millions) who visited five countries in 2000, 2010, and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Chart
| Country | 2000 (m) | 2010 (m) | 2020 (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 77 | 84 | 90 |
| Spain | 46 | 60 | 83 |
| USA | 51 | 60 | 79 |
| China | 10 | 28 | 67 |
| Mexico | 20 | 23 | 45 |
Key data
France: 77m → 84m → 90m. Spain: 46m → 60m → 83m. USA: 51m → 60m → 79m. China: 10m → 28m → 67m. Mexico: 20m → 23m → 45m. (2000, 2010, 2020)
Full Response
Band 7.5 annotated answer
Each paragraph is followed by an examiner note explaining exactly what earns marks.
Introduction
The table presents data on international tourist arrivals to five countries at three points in time: 2000, 2010, and 2020.
'Presents data on international tourist arrivals' paraphrases 'shows the number of international tourists who visited'. 'At three points in time' is more precise than listing all three years in the introduction — the years will appear in the body paragraphs where they belong.
Overview
Key for Task AchievementOverall, France received the highest number of visitors in all three years, though Spain narrowed the gap significantly by 2020. China experienced by far the most rapid growth of any country in the table, more than sextupling its tourist arrivals over the period.
'More than sextupling' (×6.7 from 10m to 67m) is a sophisticated vocabulary choice that conveys scale precisely and memorably. 'By far the most rapid growth' uses a superlative to rank China's performance. Two observations, no minor detail — correct overview length and content.
Body Paragraph 1
France was the most visited country throughout the period, attracting 77 million tourists in 2000 and growing steadily to 90 million by 2020. Spain and the USA recorded identical figures in 2010, at 60 million each, though Spain subsequently pulled ahead, reaching 83 million in 2020 compared to the USA's 79 million. Both countries grew proportionally faster than France over the twenty-year period.
France, Spain, and USA grouped because they are the three largest destinations. The coincidence of Spain and USA recording identical 2010 figures is worth noting — it is the kind of data feature that demonstrates close reading of the table. 'Subsequently pulled ahead' is accurate and concise.
Body Paragraph 2
China showed the most remarkable increase in the table, rising from just 10 million visitors in 2000 to 67 million by 2020, a growth of 570%. Although it remained below France and Spain in absolute terms, this rate of increase suggests China was rapidly becoming one of the world's leading tourist destinations. Mexico also expanded substantially, more than doubling its visitor numbers from 20 million to 45 million over the same period.
China and Mexico grouped as the growth stories. '570%' calculated from the raw data — this kind of derived figure earns Task Achievement marks. 'Although it remained below France and Spain in absolute terms' shows the candidate understands the difference between proportional and absolute growth — a Band 7+ analytical distinction.
Comparison
Band 6 vs Band 7+ overview
The overview is the paragraph that most separates Band 6 from Band 7 in Task 1.
✗ Band 6
“Overall, France had the most tourists in all years. China increased the most. All countries increased.”
✓ Band 7+
“Overall, France received the highest number of visitors in all three years, though Spain narrowed the gap significantly by 2020. China experienced by far the most rapid growth of any country in the table, more than sextupling its tourist arrivals over the period.”
What makes the difference
The Band 6 overview lists three separate facts with no connection between them and uses basic vocabulary ('had the most', 'increased the most'). The Band 7+ frames France's leadership as a trend with a qualifier ('though Spain narrowed the gap'), ranks China's growth with 'by far', and quantifies its scale with 'sextupling' — making the same observations in a far more analytical and precise way.
Why it scores Band 7.5
Key strengths of this response
Spain and USA's identical 2010 figures noted — detail that shows careful data reading
570% growth calculated for China — derived figures earn Task Achievement marks
'Sextupling' in the overview — precise and memorable vocabulary choice
Distinction drawn between China's proportional growth and its absolute ranking — Band 7+ analysis
Other Task 1 model answers