The pie charts below compare the proportion of energy capacity in gigawatts (GW) in 2015 with the predictions for 2040.
Sample Response
The charts show the expected changes in energy capacity in 2040 compared to 2015.
The most noticeable feature is the drop in the proportion of the annual gross capacity of fossil fuels, with the projected capacity almost doubling from 6.688 to 11.678 gigawatts. It is expected to experience a significant decline, falling from 64% in 2015 to 44% in 2040. By contrast, it is predicted that there will be a dramatic rise in the proportion of energy capacity from solar energy with a jump from 2% to 18% in 2040. While the proportion of the capacity for wind is anticipated to increase more than twofold from 5% in 2015 to 12% in 2040, it is estimated that other renewables will account for a smaller proportion with a decrease from 23% to 21%. The projected proportion for nuclear energy will be 5% in 2040, a slight decline from 6%.
It is clear that despite the decline in the proportion of energy capacity from fossil fuels and the rise in solar and wind sources, the former will remain a major energy source in 2040.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Clarify time comparison Original: in 2040 compared to 2015 Suggested revision: between 2015 and 2040 Why it matters: This phrasing presents the two chart years as a direct comparison more clearly.
- 2. Name the measured share Original: the proportion of the annual gross capacity of fossil fuels Suggested revision: fossil fuels' share of total capacity Why it matters: The chart shows fossil fuels as a percentage of total energy capacity, not their annual gross capacity.
- 3. Identify total capacity Original: the Suggested revision: total Why it matters: The values 6.688 and 11.678 GW refer to total energy capacity rather than fossil-fuel capacity.
- 4. Clarify the reference Original: It is expected Suggested revision: The share of fossil fuels is expected Why it matters: Naming the category removes the unclear pronoun reference after the sentence about total capacity.
- 5. Use concise wording Original: the proportion of energy capacity from solar energy Suggested revision: solar energy's share of capacity Why it matters: The revision avoids repetition while retaining the chart's meaning.
- 6. Improve clause linkage Original: with a jump from 2% to 18% Suggested revision: jumping from 2% to 18% Why it matters: A participial phrase links the change more smoothly to the projected rise.
- 7. Use natural chart language Original: the proportion of the capacity for wind Suggested revision: wind's share of capacity Why it matters: This is a more natural and concise way to describe the segment of the chart.
- 8. Express the change directly Original: a smaller proportion with a decrease from 23% to 21% Suggested revision: a smaller share, decreasing from 23% to 21% Why it matters: The revised participial phrase connects the percentage change clearly to other renewables.
- 9. State the key ranking Original: a major energy source Suggested revision: the largest energy source Why it matters: The chart supports the more precise overview that fossil fuels remain the largest category in 2040.
Suggested Rewrites
- in 2040 compared to 2015 between 2015 and 2040
- the proportion of the annual gross capacity of fossil fuels fossil fuels' share of total capacity
- the total
- It is expected The share of fossil fuels is expected
- the proportion of energy capacity from solar energy solar energy's share of capacity
- with a jump from 2% to 18% jumping from 2% to 18%
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response gives a clear account of the main shifts and accurately reports every percentage, using controlled language and logical progression. Its main limitation is the statement that fossil-fuel capacity nearly doubles from 6.688 to 11.678 GW, since these figures represent total capacity rather than fossil fuels alone. The highest-priority improvement is to distinguish absolute totals from category shares explicitly while retaining the effective comparisons and overview.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response presents a clear overview and covers all five energy shares accurately, but it wrongly links the two total-capacity figures to fossil fuels.
State that overall capacity rises from 6.688 to 11.678 GW, then describe the separate fall in fossil fuels' percentage share.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically through the category comparisons, and the final overview effectively consolidates the dominant trends.
Place the overview immediately after the introduction to establish the main pattern before presenting detailed figures.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, although phrases such as 'annual gross capacity' are awkward and contribute to factual ambiguity.
Use exact terms such as 'total installed capacity' and 'share of capacity' consistently to separate absolute amounts from proportions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A strong range of complex structures is used with good control, and the few awkward references do not impede meaning.
Give potentially ambiguous pronouns such as 'it' an explicit noun reference when moving between total capacity and individual energy sources.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The pie charts below compare the proportion of energy capacity in gigawatts (GW) in 2015 with the predictions for 2040.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.