The graph below gives information from Annual Energy Outlook 2008 about consumption of energy in the USA since 1980 with projection until 2030.
Sample Response
The graph shows consumption of energy in the U.S. since 1980 with projections through 2030.
The historical trends show Petrol and Oil as the major sources of fuel, rising from 35 quadrillion (35q) units used in 1980 to 42q in 2012. Despite some fluctuation between 1980 and 1995, there was a steady increase, which is expected to continue, reaching 47q in 2030.
Consumption of energy from natural gas and coal followed a similar pattern over the period. From 20q and 15q respectively in 1980, gas showed an initial fall and coal a gradual increase, with the two fuels equal between 1985 and 1990. Consumption has fluctuated since 1990 but both now provide 24q. Coal consumption is projected to rise to 31q in 2030, whereas after 2014, natural gas is forecast to remain stable at 25q.
In 1980, energy from solar/wind, nuclear, and hydropower was the least-used, with only 4q. Nuclear has risen by 3q, and solar/wind by 2. Since 2005, hydropower has fallen back to the 1980 figure. It is expected to remain approximately constant through 2030, while the others are projected to rise gradually after 2025.
Overall, fossil fuels will remain the chief energy source for the US, with a little bit of hydroelectric, nuclear and a smidgen of renewables like wind and solar.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct the time point Original: 42q in 2012 Suggested revision: about 42 quadrillion units in 2015 Why it matters: The graph places this level around 2015 rather than 2012.
- 2. Correct the projection Original: 47q in 2030 Suggested revision: about 49 quadrillion units in 2030 Why it matters: The petrol-and-oil line ends just below 50 quadrillion units.
- 3. Narrow the equality point Original: equal between 1985 and 1990 Suggested revision: equal at about 18 quadrillion units in 1990 Why it matters: Coal and natural gas converge around 1990 rather than remaining equal throughout the interval.
- 4. Fix plural agreement Original: was the least-used Suggested revision: were the least-used sources Why it matters: The subject lists three energy sources and therefore requires a plural verb and complement.
- 5. Differentiate starting values Original: with only 4q Suggested revision: at roughly 3–4 quadrillion units each Why it matters: In 1980, hydropower is around 4 while nuclear and solar/wind are closer to 3.
- 6. Correct hydropower level Original: fallen back to the 1980 figure Suggested revision: fallen to about 3 quadrillion units, slightly below its 1980 level Why it matters: The later hydropower value is lower than its starting point on the graph.
- 7. Use a plural complement Original: source Suggested revision: sources Why it matters: Fossil fuels refers to several sources, so the complement should be plural.
- 8. Use formal graph language Original: a little bit of hydroelectric, nuclear and a smidgen of renewables like wind and solar Suggested revision: much lower consumption from nuclear, hydropower, and solar/wind Why it matters: The revision removes informal wording and names the graph categories accurately.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: Consumption of energy from natural gas and coal followed a similar pattern over the period. Suggested revision: Natural-gas consumption fluctuated before levelling off, whereas coal consumption rose overall. Why it matters: The two lines show different overall trajectories rather than a shared pattern.
- 10. Sentence rewrite Original: Nuclear has risen by 3q, and solar/wind by 2. Suggested revision: By 2005, nuclear consumption had risen to about 7 quadrillion units, while solar/wind had risen to about 5. Why it matters: Using endpoint values and a clear date represents the plotted changes more accurately.
Suggested Rewrites
- 42q in 2012 about 42 quadrillion units in 2015
- 47q in 2030 about 49 quadrillion units in 2030
- equal between 1985 and 1990 equal at about 18 quadrillion units in 1990
- was the least-used were the least-used sources
- with only 4q at roughly 3–4 quadrillion units each
- fallen back to the 1980 figure fallen to about 3 quadrillion units, slightly below its 1980 level
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is clearly structured and successfully captures the dominant role of petrol and oil, the contrasting coal and gas forecasts, and the much lower consumption of the other fuels. Its main limitation is numerical precision, including the understated 2030 petrol-and-oil figure and some loosely dated values. Prioritise checking every reported figure and year against the axes, while replacing informal descriptions with objective academic wording.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The main trends and comparisons are well selected, but several figures or dates are approximate and the 2030 petrol-and-oil value is understated.
Verify each numerical claim against the graph, especially the final petrol-and-oil level of about 49 quadrillion units.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses clearly from the dominant fuel to the middle pair and then the three least-used sources, with a focused overview.
Place the overview immediately after the introduction so readers receive the main pattern before the detailed figures.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a broad and generally precise range for trends and projections, though 'a little bit' and 'a smidgen' are too informal.
Use objective quantitative phrasing such as 'considerably smaller amounts' for the least-consumed sources.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex clauses and comparisons are handled with strong control, and errors are rare and non-impeding.
Maintain consistent parallel phrasing when grouping three sources and describing their separate changes.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph below gives information from Annual Energy Outlook 2008 about consumption of energy in the USA since 1980 with projection until 2030.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.