Tables

Writing styles Descriptive Opinion-based Creative Email communication

(الخلافات و التشابه (مماثل / بالضبط نفس / مختلف

When describing “information” (“facts and figures” “data”) provided in a table, you will need to write about the similarities and differences between the things being compared. There are a number of ways to do this. However, one of the most common is to use comparative and superlative adjectives.

 Review:  Adjectives  |  Comparative and superlative adjectives

For example, when describing the table below you would compare and contrast (the similarities and differences) between horses and camels:
Compare-and-Contrast--post-picture-01

A good descriptive report will have a minimum of three paragraphs: an introduction, one paragraph that describes the differences and one paragraph that describes the similarities and the ways in which the things being compared are exactly the same.

 Overview:  How to describe information shown in Tables
 Key phrases:  “Compare & Contrast” reports
 Organisation:  “Compare & Contrast” reports
Practice:  Comparing and contrasting facts and figures


Table 01: Lions and Tigers

In this table two things are being compared. They are being compared in eight ways. Which is greater, the similarities or the differences between them?

Comprehension questions    Submit your report

Compare and Contrast Lions and Tigers


Table 02: The Dubai Mall and Deira City Center

In this table two of Dubai’s many shopping malls are being compared. By how many criteria are they being compared? Which is greater, the similarities or the differences between them?

Comprehension questions    Submit your report

Compare and Contrast two shopping malls


Table 03: iPad 4 vs. Windows Surface

In this table two tablet devices are being compared. By how many criteria are they being compared? Which is greater, the similarities or the differences between them?

Comprehension questions    Submit your report

Table 03: iPad 4 vs. Windows Surface


Table 04: Nissan 370 vs. Ford Mustang

In this table two sports cars are being compared. By how many criteria are they being compared? Which is greater, the similarities or the differences between them?

Comprehension questions    Submit your report

Table 04: Nissan 370 vs. Ford Mustang


Table 05: Employment patterns over the ages

The table below is more authentic (i.e. similar to those sometimes given in IELTS exams). How many things are being compared? In how many ways are they being compared? With tables like this, you will need to compare between the age groups and also between the different employment sectors of the economy.

Comprehension questions    Submit your report

Table: Employment patterns over the ages


Table 06: Consumption and Production of Natural Gas

With tables like the one below, you will need to compare between countries and also consumption and production figures. It is important to realise also that you should not describe all of the details. The task (skill) here is to focus on the key distinctions and notable similarities.

Comprehension questions    Submit your report

Table: Consumption and Production of Natural Gas


Table 07: The Global Happiness Index (GHI)

With tables like the one below, you will need to compare between countries and also consumption and production figures. It is important to realise also that you should not describe all of the details. The task (skill) here is to focus on key distinctions and notable similarities.

Comprehension questions    Submit your report

Table: The Global Happiness Index


Table 08: The rabbit compared to the tortoise

This is a more basic table. You will need to describe each of the seven comparisons between these two animals.

Comprehension questions    Submit your report Model report

Table 08: The rabbit compare to the tortoise


Table 09: The Ford Explorer compared to the Range Rover

This is a more basic table. You will need to describe most, if not all of the comparisons.

Compare-and-Contrast-Table-08


Practice
 Compare and contrast two airlines: Emirates and Etihad
 Compare the Nissan Patrol and the Toyota Landcruiser
Compare and contrast two companies: Du and Etisalat
 Compare and contrast two cities: London and Oslo
 Compare and contrast two cities: Doha and Kuwait city

Model reports
Emirates and Etihad compared

Nissan Patrols compared to Toyota Landcruisers