Line graph The graph below shows information about the total oil consumption of four major consumers from 2009 to 2030.
Sample Response
The line graph gives information about the oil consumption of four different regions from 2009 until present, and predicted figures until 2030. Units are in millions of barrels per day.
Overall, the USA was by far the biggest consumer of oil from 2009 until present and is predicted to remain the biggest consumer until 2030.
In 2009, oil consumption in the USA was around 9 million barrels per day. This figure rose to around 10 million barrels per day in 2015, before beginning to fall. Figures are predicted to continue falling to around 7.5 million barrels per day by 2030. Meanwhile, oil consumption in Western Europe and Japan was around 4 million barrels per day in 2009 and has been in decline since. Figures are predicted to reach 2 million barrels by 2030.
Oil consumption in China and the Middle East was around 2 million barrels per day each in 2009. By 2030, figures for China and the Middle East are predicted to reach 3.5 and 3 million barrels per day respectively.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Name consumers accurately Original: different regions Suggested revision: major consumers Why it matters: The four series include countries and a combined region, so this label is more accurate.
- 2. Clarify the timeframe Original: from 2009 until present, and predicted figures until 2030 Suggested revision: from 2009 to 2030, including forecast figures Why it matters: The chart shows dated points through 2030 and does not identify an unspecified present year.
- 3. Use a clear past form Original: has been in decline since Suggested revision: declined thereafter Why it matters: A simple past form describes the downward movement from the stated 2009 starting point more clearly.
- 4. Keep the full unit Original: reach 2 million barrels Suggested revision: reach 2 million barrels per day Why it matters: The chart measures daily consumption, so omitting “per day” changes the unit.
- 5. Clarify each series Original: around 2 million barrels per day each Suggested revision: about 2 million barrels per day in each region Why it matters: This wording makes it clear that the approximation applies separately to China and the Middle East.
- 6. Sentence rewrite Original: Overall, the USA was by far the biggest consumer of oil from 2009 until present and is predicted to remain the biggest consumer until 2030. Suggested revision: Overall, the USA remained by far the largest consumer, although its oil use declined after 2015; China and the Middle East rose overall, while Western Europe and Japan fell. Why it matters: The overview should summarize both the dominant series and the contrasting upward and downward trends.
- 7. Show intermediate movement Suggested revision: Include the 2025 values to clarify how the USA and Western Europe/Japan declined after 2015. Why it matters: The intermediate point would make the different shapes of the two downward trends more precise.
- 8. Distinguish the rising series Suggested revision: Describe China’s peak at just under 4 million barrels per day in 2025 before a slight fall, and contrast it with the Middle East’s steady rise. Why it matters: The paragraph currently reduces two visibly different trajectories to their 2030 endpoints.
Suggested Rewrites
- different regions major consumers
- from 2009 until present, and predicted figures until 2030 from 2009 to 2030, including forecast figures
- has been in decline since declined thereafter
- reach 2 million barrels reach 2 million barrels per day
- around 2 million barrels per day each about 2 million barrels per day in each region
- Overall, the USA was by far the biggest consumer of oil from 2009 until present and is predicted to remain the biggest consumer until 2030. Overall, the USA remained by far the largest consumer, although its oil use declined after 2015; China and the Middle East rose overall, while Western Europe and Japan fell.
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is clear, well organised, and generally accurate, with appropriate units and useful endpoint figures. Its main weakness is that the overview identifies only US dominance and the detail omits important intermediate movements, especially China's rise to a 2025 peak before easing. Prioritise a fuller overview that contrasts the two broadly declining series with the two rising ones, then support it with the most significant turning points.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response accurately covers all four consumers and the main endpoints, but its overview is narrow and China's 2025 peak is omitted.
Expand the overview to contrast the declining and rising series, and include China's rise to about four million barrels before its slight fall.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from the dominant series to the remaining consumers, with clear paragraphing and referencing.
Vary the repeated figure-based transitions and make the final comparison between China and the Middle East more explicit.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is sufficiently varied and precise for describing consumption, prediction, rises, and declines, with only minor imprecision such as calling all four entities regions.
Use exact category labels and add precise trend language such as peaked and then eased for the Chinese series.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of simple and complex structures is used with strong control, and the few awkward phrases do not impede meaning.
Refine time expressions such as until the present and maintain fully parallel phrasing when contrasting historical and projected figures.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
Line graph The graph below shows information about the total oil consumption of four major consumers from 2009 to 2030.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.