The graph shows estimated oil production capacity for several Gulf countries between 1990 and 2010. Oil Production Capacity, millions of barrels per day (estimated) [Figure: Millions of Barrels per day]
Sample Response
The column graph compares probable oil production capabilities of six Gulf countries from 1990 to 2010. Overall, Saudi Arabi was the leading oil generating country and its production increased faster than the remaining five countries. As is presented, the estimated oil producing capability in Iran in 1990 was around 3 million barrels each day which reached to 4 million after 15 years and finally in 2010, the production slightly improved. Iraq’s oil generating capability was slightly lower than that of Iran and its oil stock in 1990 was roughly 2 billion barrels per day and it almost doubled in 2010. Kuwait, on the contrary, produced less than 2 billion barrels daily and their production amount stool at approximately 3.5 million in 2010. Moreover, Qatar, throughout the decades, produced the lowest oil which accounted for roughly 0.5 million barrels each day and after two decades, its production level remained at the same level. Oil generation per day in the United Arab Emirates showed a similar pattern that of Iraq and its production reached to nearly 4 million barrels in 2010. Finally, Saudi Arabia’s oil generating level was the highest and significantly higher than that of other countries. In 1990, it produced over 8 million barrel daily which was approximately four times higher than that of other countries. Its daily production soared to well over 14 million barrel and this was marginally the same as the cumulative oil productions of other five countries.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use chart terminology Original: probable Suggested revision: estimated Why it matters: The chart presents estimated rather than merely probable figures.
- 2. Use capacity Original: capabilities Suggested revision: capacity Why it matters: Oil output on the chart is measured as production capacity.
- 3. Correct country name Original: Saudi Arabi Suggested revision: Saudi Arabia Why it matters: The country name is misspelled.
- 4. Use precise noun Original: leading oil generating country Suggested revision: leading oil-producing country Why it matters: Oil-producing is the standard adjective for a country that produces oil.
- 5. Use natural reference Original: As is presented Suggested revision: As shown Why it matters: This is a more concise and natural reference to the chart.
- 6. Use capacity term Original: oil producing capability Suggested revision: oil production capacity Why it matters: Production capacity accurately names the measure shown.
- 7. Remove extra preposition Original: reached to 4 million Suggested revision: reached 4 million Why it matters: Reach takes a direct object and does not use to here.
- 8. Describe chart measure Original: oil stock Suggested revision: production capacity Why it matters: The chart reports daily production capacity, not stored oil.
- 9. Correct unit scale Original: 2 billion barrels per day Suggested revision: 2 million barrels per day Why it matters: The vertical axis is measured in millions, not billions, of barrels per day.
- 10. Correct Iraq change Original: it almost doubled Suggested revision: it rose to about 3.5 million barrels per day Why it matters: Iraq rises from about 2 to 3.5 million barrels per day, which is less than a doubling.
- 11. Correct Kuwait unit Original: less than 2 billion barrels daily Suggested revision: less than 2 million barrels per day Why it matters: Kuwait's 1990 figure uses millions rather than billions.
- 12. Match singular country Original: their production Suggested revision: its production Why it matters: The singular country Kuwait requires the possessive its.
Suggested Rewrites
- probable estimated
- capabilities capacity
- Saudi Arabi Saudi Arabia
- leading oil generating country leading oil-producing country
- As is presented As shown
- oil producing capability oil production capacity
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response identifies the dominant position and rapid growth of Saudi Arabia and supports this overview with generally relevant comparisons across all six countries. Its main limitation is imprecision, especially the repeated use of billions instead of millions and several awkward or inaccurate descriptions. Prioritise exact units and cleaner comparative language while organising the detail into clear groups.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
A clear overview and coverage of all countries are provided, but some figures and units are inaccurate or imprecise.
Check every unit against the chart and group countries by similar trends to sharpen the comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion
The information follows a broadly logical country-by-country sequence, though the single dense paragraph and repetitive progression weaken organisation.
Separate the overview from two grouped detail paragraphs and use referencing to reduce repeated mentions of production.
Lexical Resource
There is enough range to describe trends and comparisons, but frequent collocation and word-choice problems reduce precision.
Use standard chart language such as production capacity, rose to, remained stable, and combined output accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures communicates the data clearly overall, despite recurring agreement, article, preposition, and noun-form errors.
Edit recurring forms such as barrels, reached, and that of, and keep country references consistently singular.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph shows estimated oil production capacity for several Gulf countries between 1990 and 2010. Oil Production Capacity, millions of barrels per day (estimated) [Figure: Millions of Barrels per day]
Your response
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