The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water consumption in two different countries. Water Consumption in Brazil and Congo in 2000 Country Population Irrigated land Water consumption per person Brazil 176 million 26,500 km² 359 m³ Democratic Republic of Congo 5.2 million 100 km² 8 m³
Sample Response
The graph shows how the amount of water used worldwide changed between 1900 and 2000 and water consumptions of two countries compared to their population.
Throughout the century, the largest quantity of water was used for agricultural Purposes, and this increased dramatically from about 500 km³ to around 3,000 km³ in the year 2000. Water used in the industrial and domestic sectors also increased, but consumption was minimal until mid-century. From 1950 onwards, industrial use grew steadily to just over 1,000 km³, while domestic use rose more slowly to only 300 km³, both far below the levels of consumption by agriculture.
The table illustrates the differences in agriculture consumption in some areas of the world by contrasting the amount of irrigated land in Brazil (26,500 km³) with that in the D.R.C. (100 km²). This means that a huge amount of water is used in agriculture in Brazil, and this is reflected in the figures for water consumption per person: 359 m³ compared with only 8 m³ in the Congo. With a population of 176 million, the figures for Brazil indicate how high agriculture water consumption can be in some countries.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use uncountable noun Original: consumptions Suggested revision: consumption Why it matters: Consumption is uncountable when referring generally to water use.
- 2. Correct number agreement Original: compared to their population Suggested revision: in relation to their populations Why it matters: The comparison involves the populations of two countries, so a plural form is needed.
- 3. Lowercase common noun Original: Purposes Suggested revision: purposes Why it matters: A common noun in the middle of a sentence should not be capitalized.
- 4. Correct domestic figure Original: only 300 km³ Suggested revision: around 500 km³ Why it matters: The graph shows domestic water use reaching approximately 500 km³ in 2000.
- 5. Use concise phrasing Original: levels of consumption by agriculture Suggested revision: level of agricultural consumption Why it matters: The revised phrase expresses the comparison more naturally and concisely.
- 6. Use adjective form Original: agriculture consumption Suggested revision: agricultural water use Why it matters: Agricultural is the appropriate adjective before the noun phrase.
- 7. Identify comparison correctly Original: in some areas of the world Suggested revision: between the two countries Why it matters: The table compares Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo rather than broad world regions.
- 8. Correct area unit Original: km³ Suggested revision: km² Why it matters: Irrigated land is measured in square kilometres, as shown in the table.
- 9. Clarify time span Original: changed between 1900 and 2000 Suggested revision: changed from 1900 to 2000 Why it matters: From and to express the beginning and end of the period more directly.
- 10. Use precise collocation Original: largest quantity of water was used for Suggested revision: greatest volume of water was used by Why it matters: Volume is precise for water, and water is used by a sector rather than for a sector.
- 11. Remove wordiness Original: in the year 2000 Suggested revision: in 2000 Why it matters: The shorter time expression conveys the same information more efficiently.
- 12. Use concise subject Original: Water used in the industrial and domestic sectors Suggested revision: Industrial and domestic water use Why it matters: The revised noun phrase gives the sentence a clearer and more concise subject.
Suggested Rewrites
- consumptions consumption
- compared to their population in relation to their populations
- Purposes purposes
- only 300 km³ around 500 km³
- levels of consumption by agriculture level of agricultural consumption
- agriculture consumption agricultural water use
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is strongest in its clear selection and comparison of the major global water-use trends, supported by relevant figures from both sources. Its main limitation is imprecision in interpreting the table, including an incorrect unit for Brazil's irrigated land and an unsupported emphasis on agricultural consumption. The priority is to distinguish total per-person consumption from sector use and report all key country data accurately.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The report presents a clear overview and accurate major graph trends, but its table coverage contains a unit error and some overinterpretation.
State that the table shows total water use per person, use square kilometres for irrigated land, and include Congo's population in the comparison.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is organised effectively into an introduction, graph paragraph, and table paragraph with clear progression and well-managed comparisons.
Make the transition between the graph and table even sharper by opening the final paragraph with the countries' overall contrast.
Lexical Resource
A flexible range of trend and comparison vocabulary is used accurately overall, though phrases such as 'water consumptions' and 'agriculture consumption' are awkward.
Use precise collocations such as 'water consumption', 'agricultural water use', and 'consumption per person' consistently.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex clauses and comparison structures are handled with strong control, and the few grammatical slips do not hinder communication.
Refine number and noun-form accuracy, particularly uncountable 'consumption', and check that comparison phrases have a clear grammatical referent.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water consumption in two different countries. Water Consumption in Brazil and Congo in 2000 Country Population Irrigated land Water consumption per person Brazil 176 million 26,500 km² 359 m³ Democratic Republic of Congo 5.2 million 100 km² 8 m³
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