The chart below shows information about fuel used in the transport sector in different countries in Europe, compared to the EU average, in 2009 and 2010.
Sample Response
The bar chart illustrates fuel usage for transportation in six different European nations, and compares these figures to the European average, in 2009 and 2010.
Overall, while the percentage of fuel used in Slovakia and Spain decreased, fuel consumption in Italy, France and Greece saw opposite trends during the research period. Additionally, the European average was higher than the figures for all countries, except for Slovakia.
In 2009, the transportation sector in Slovakia consumed nearly 7% of the total fuel, about 2% higher than in Austria. Italy used about 4.5% of fuel in transportation, compared to approximately 1% in Greece, which was the lowest figure shown on the chart. Meanwhile, fuel consumed for transportation in the other countries accounted for just under 4% of total fuel usage in each.
In 2010, the figure for Austria remained unchanged, at just over 5%, and slightly less fuel was used for transportation in Slovakia and Greece as illustrated by decreases to just over 6% and 2% respectively. In contrast, Italy, France, and Greece all experienced increases of roughly 1% in fuel consumption.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use precise comparison Original: compares these figures to the European average Suggested revision: compares these figures with the EU average Why it matters: “EU average” matches the chart label and “compare with” suits this direct comparison.
- 2. State the trend directly Original: saw opposite trends during the research period Suggested revision: increased during the period shown Why it matters: The direct verb states the shared upward trend more clearly and accurately.
- 3. Correct Slovakia figure Original: consumed nearly 7% Suggested revision: used nearly 9% Why it matters: The 2009 bar for Slovakia is close to 9%, not 7%.
- 4. Correct the difference Original: about 2% higher than in Austria Suggested revision: about 3.5 percentage points higher than Austria Why it matters: The chart shows roughly 8.8% for Slovakia and 5.2% for Austria, a gap of about 3.5 percentage points.
- 5. Sentence rewrite Original: Additionally, the European average was higher than the figures for all countries, except for Slovakia. Suggested revision: The EU average exceeded every country except Slovakia in 2009, but in 2010 it was lower than Slovakia, Italy, and Austria. Why it matters: The original generalisation is inaccurate for 2010, when three countries were above the EU average.
- 6. Sentence rewrite Original: Meanwhile, fuel consumed for transportation in the other countries accounted for just under 4% of total fuel usage in each. Suggested revision: Meanwhile, France and Spain each used just under 4%, while Austria stood at just over 5%. Why it matters: Austria was above 5%, so it cannot be grouped with France and Spain at just under 4%.
- 7. Sentence rewrite Original: In 2010, the figure for Austria remained unchanged, at just over 5%, and slightly less fuel was used for transportation in Slovakia and Greece as illustrated by decreases to just over 6% and 2% respectively. Suggested revision: In 2010, Austria remained unchanged at just over 5%; Slovakia fell to just over 6%, whereas Greece rose to 2%. Why it matters: The chart shows an increase for Greece, so describing both Greece and Slovakia as decreases is inaccurate.
- 8. Include the stable category Suggested revision: Add that Austria remained stable while the other national figures either rose or fell. Why it matters: Austria’s unchanged value is a major contrasting feature of the chart.
Suggested Rewrites
- compares these figures to the European average compares these figures with the EU average
- saw opposite trends during the research period increased during the period shown
- consumed nearly 7% used nearly 9%
- about 2% higher than in Austria about 3.5 percentage points higher than Austria
- Additionally, the European average was higher than the figures for all countries, except for Slovakia. The EU average exceeded every country except Slovakia in 2009, but in 2010 it was lower than Slovakia, Italy, and Austria.
- Meanwhile, fuel consumed for transportation in the other countries accounted for just under 4% of total fuel usage in each. Meanwhile, France and Spain each used just under 4%, while Austria stood at just over 5%.
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response has a clear four-paragraph structure, a useful overview, and flexible language for describing changes. However, several important chart details are inaccurate: Slovakia's 2009 figure is understated, Greece is wrongly described as decreasing, and the EU comparison is overgeneralized. The highest priority is to cross-check each value and direction of change before writing the overview and detail paragraphs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response selects relevant features and includes an overview, but multiple significant inaccuracies weaken its account of the data.
Correct Slovakia's 2009 value to nearly 9%, describe Greece as rising from about 1% to 2%, and report the EU average more carefully.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing and overall progression are clear, but the consecutive claims that Greece decreased and increased create a confusing logical contradiction.
Ensure each category follows one consistent trend across the overview and detail paragraphs, and remove contradictory statements before finalizing.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a good range of chart vocabulary with generally appropriate collocations and precise comparative language.
Refine broad phrases such as the research period and avoid wording that obscures whether a percentage refers to transport fuel use or total fuel.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex and simple sentence forms are varied and mostly accurate, with only minor punctuation and attachment problems.
Tighten long coordinated sentences so modifiers such as as illustrated by decreases attach clearly to the correct countries and figures.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The chart below shows information about fuel used in the transport sector in different countries in Europe, compared to the EU average, in 2009 and 2010.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.