A survey on the preference of different age groups in a European country on different TV programmes in 2012
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Table

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The table below shows a survey on the preference of different age groups in a European country on different TV programmes in 2012. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Common questions for the age-based TV preferences table
1. Graph Type: Process diagram (flowchart).
2. Title: The Process of Canning Fish.
3. What are the units of measurement?: Number of steps involved in the canning process.
4. Who: The process involves fish, workers, and canning facilities.
5. When: The process starts when the fish is caught and continues through to the final product.
6. Where: The process takes place in a canning factory.
7. Topic: The diagram outlines the series of steps in the fish canning process.
Comparison Showing and Trends
Comparison 1 : Preference for Cartoons
- The 11-15 year olds preferred cartoons the most, with 29% indicating they liked this genre, whereas only 4% of the 21-25 year olds preferred cartoons.
Comparison 2 : Popularity of Feature Films
- Feature films were favored by just under a quarter of the 16-20 year olds, and around 21% of the 21-25 year olds also liked feature films. In comparison, only 18% of the 11-15 year olds liked them.
Comparison 3 : Increasing Popularity of News
- The cans are stamped or labeled before being stored and dispatched to supermarkets, making the final product ready for sale.
Sample Answer
The given table presents the preferences for different TV programs among three age groups in a European country in 2012. It is clear that TV preferences vary significantly by age.
The 11-15-year-olds were most interested in cartoons, with 29% liking them, followed by 22% preferring sports programs. A smaller proportion, just under 20%, enjoyed feature films and soap operas. The 16-20-year-olds had a slightly more varied preference, with feature films being the most popular (just under 25%) and cartoons, sports, and news (around 18% each). In this age group, soap operas and TV dramas were less favoured, with about 10-12% showing interest.
For the 21-25-year-olds, news programs were the most popular (23%), while cartoons were the least preferred (4%). Feature films, sports, and soap operas had similar appeal, with around 20% enjoying each. TV dramas garnered a modest 13% preference.
Overall, news programs gained popularity with age, while cartoons lost favour as age increased.
TOTAL 26 VOCABULARIES
Vocabulary |
Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Preference | A greater liking for one alternative over others | Liking, choice | “The 11-15 age group had a strong preference for cartoons.” | Noun |
Varied | Different or diverse | Diverse, mixed | “The TV preferences were varied across the different age groups.” | Adjective |
Proportion | A part, share, or number considered in relation to a whole | Share, percentage | “A larger proportion of 21-25 year olds preferred news programs.” | Noun |
Garnered | To collect or gather | Collected, attracted | “TV dramas garnered only 13% of the 21-25 age group’s preference.” | Verb |
Modest | Unassuming in size or amount | Small, slight | “TV dramas had a modest appeal among the 21-25 year olds.” | Adjective |
Present | To show or describe something | Display, reveal | “The table presents the preferences for different TV programs.” | Verb |
Interest | The state of wanting to know or learn about something | Fascination, attention | “The 11-15 age group showed a high interest in cartoons.” | Noun |
Favoured | Preferred or liked over others | Preferred, chosen | “Soap operas were less favoured by the 16-20 age group.” | Adjective |
Proportion | A part or portion of a whole | Percentage, share | “A larger proportion of the older age group preferred news programs.” | Noun |
Appeal | The quality of being attractive or interesting | Attractiveness, charm | “Feature films had similar appeal to sports programs in the 21-25 group.” | Noun |
Diverse | Showing variety or differences | Varied, different | “The TV preferences in the 16-20 age group were more diverse.” | Adjective |
Significant | Sufficiently large to have an effect | Notable, substantial | “There was a significant difference in TV preferences between the age groups.” | Adjective |
Showed | To demonstrate or present something clearly | Indicated, revealed | “The 16-20 age group showed more varied preferences.” | Verb |
Proportion | The percentage or ratio of something in relation to the whole | Fraction, percentage | “Feature films made up a small proportion of the 11-15 year olds’ preferences.” | Noun |
Enjoyed | To take pleasure in something | Liked, relished | “The 21-25 age group enjoyed sports programs equally as much as feature films.” | Verb |
Variation | A change or difference in condition or amount | Difference, deviation | “There was a variation in preference for news programs as age increased.” | Noun |
Attracted | To draw attention or interest towards something | Captivated, appealed | “Feature films attracted around 20% of the 21-25 age group’s preference.” | Verb |
Less | A smaller amount or degree | Fewer, reduced | “Soap operas were less preferred by older age groups.” | Adverb |
Overall | Considering everything; in general | Generally, all in all | “Overall, news programs gained popularity with age.” | Adverb |
Group | A number of people or things considered together | Category, class | “The 11-15-year-olds were the largest group interested in cartoons.” | Noun |
Proportion | The relative amount or quantity of something | Share, ratio | “The proportion of 21-25-year-olds preferring cartoons was very low.” | Noun |
Compared | To examine two or more things in order to note similarities or differences | Contrasted, analyzed | “When compared with 11-15 year olds, the 21-25 year olds preferred news.” | Verb |
Became | To begin to be or grow into something | Turned, grew | “Feature films became the most popular choice for 16-20-year-olds.” | Verb |
Marked | To show or indicate clearly | Signified, indicated | “The change in preferences marked a clear trend towards news programs.” | Verb |
Slightly | A small degree or amount | Slight, modest | “The preference for cartoons among 16-20-year-olds decreased slightly.” | Adverb |
Trend | A general direction or movement of something | Direction, movement | “There was a trend towards feature films in the 16-20-year-old group.” | Noun |

Our Books
Master IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Writing Task 1 Book
IELTS Writing Task 2 Book
Writing Task 1 Question Types
Practice IELTS Other Modules
IELTS Listening
The IELTS Listening test assesses how well you can understand spoken English in various contexts. It lasts about 30 minutes and is divided into four sections with a total of 40 questions. The listening tasks become increasingly difficult as the test progresses.
IELTS Academic Reading
The IELTS Academic Reading section assesses your ability to understand and interpret a variety of texts in academic settings. It is designed to evaluate a range of reading skills, including skimming for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, understanding inferences, and recognizing a writer's opinions and arguments.
IELTS Speaking
The IELTS Speaking test assesses your ability to communicate in English on everyday topics. It lasts 11-14 minutes and consists of three parts: introduction, cue card, and a discussion based on the cue card topic.
IELTS General Reading
IELTS General Reading tests your ability to understand and interpret various types of texts. Here are some key areas and types of content you can expect to encounter in the reading section, along with tips for effective preparation.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you are presented with a visual representation of information, such as graphs, charts, tables, or diagrams, and you are required to summarize, compare, or explain the data in your own words.
IELTS General Writing Task 1
In IELTS General Writing Task 1, you are required to write a letter based on a given situation. The letter can be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the prompt. Here’s a breakdown of the key components to include in your letter
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, you are required to write an essay in response to a question or topic. Here’s a guide to help you understand the essential elements of this task
IELTS Exam Tips
To succeed in the IELTS exam, practice regularly, familiarize yourself with the test format, improve your vocabulary, develop time management skills, and take mock tests to build confidence.
Grammer for IELTS
Grammar is the foundation of effective communication in English. Understanding tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure enhances clarity and coherence in writing and speaking.
Vocabulary for IELTS
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, especially in the Speaking and Writing sections. Here’s an overview of why vocabulary is important and how it impacts your performance
RECENT IELTS SAMPLES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Task 1 – Diagram – The current ground floor plan of a museum and the proposed changes to its layout
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Map – The changes in an American town between 1948 and 2010
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Diagram – The stages and equipment used in the cement-making process, and how cement is used to produce concrete for building purposes
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Table – The proportions of people living in different types of houses in three different areas in 2012 in Denmark
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Task 1 – Pie-Charts – How much money is spent in the budget on different sectors by the UAE government in 2000
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...
Sales Percentage of Book Types from 1972 to 2012
20:00 Start Pause Stop [df_adh_heading title_infix="IELTS Writing Task 1 Question" use_divider="on"...