​​ Fake statistics: why it's ok to use them in Cambridge exam | RAY English Learning Center

​​ Fake statistics: why it's ok to use them in Cambridge exams but not in IELTS

A lot of people hear conflicting advice about statistics in writing tasks in tests. The rule of thumb is: feel free to make up statistics in Cambridge tests, but don't even think of doing that in IELTS. Why and why not? The answer is simple - the prompts in the former are based on made-up situations and the questions in the latter aren't. Now let's take a close look at those.

Here is a typical C2 Proficiency prompt:
"You work for the tourist office in your area. Your manager has asked you to write a report in English on a park that is popular with tourists. You should briefly describe the facilities that are currently available to visitors. Your report should also recommend two or three improvements that would enhance the park further and explain why these would attract even more visitors."

The whole situation here is fake - you don't work for a tourist office and no manager asked you to write about a park. If the situation is made up, why shouldn't statistics be? Of course, you can go ahead and write that 90% of the visitors reported liking cycling lanes and that 65% expressed hope to see more playgrounds.

Here is a typical IELTS essay topic:
"In many countries, people are earning more money today than in the past, so they are able to buy more things. Is this a positive or a negative development?"

This question, just like all IELTS questions, is based on real societal trends and changes. So, how can you convincingly argue an opinion on a real topic with the help of fake statistics? Your arguments will simply be unconvincing. In fact, even real statistics are unconvincing without the link to the source (which you never have in the exam room).

So, feel free to make up statistics in Cambridge tests, but don't even think of doing that in IELTS. There is no conflict here - the difference is rooted in the nature of the tasks.

Credit goes to Irina Lutsenko

Image credit: Photo by Lukas from Pexels