The graph below shows a 2008 report about the consumption of energy in the USA since 1980, with projections until 2030.

Sample Response

1

The line graph depicts energy usage across six different fuel types in the United Statesillustrates the US energy consumption by fuel since 1980, with projections until 2030.

2

Overall, the consumption of almost all fuels is projected to increase, except for that of hydropower, which is projected to remain relatively stableremained relatively stable. In addition, petrol and oil is expected to remain the most consumed fuelremained the most consumed fuel during the period, whereas hydropower is projected to become the lowest by 2030hydropower was the lowest.

3

The consumption of petrol and oil was nearly 36 quadrillion units in 1980, after which it rose steadily over the period. It is predicted that it will increase to nearly 50 quadrillion unitsa peak of approximately 47 quadrillion units in 2030. Moreover, the consumption of coal and natural gas continued to rise from 1980 to 20151908 to 2014, reaching around 25 quadrillion units. Subsequently, the consumption of natural gas remained stable, while the consumption of coal continued to increase, with a projection that it will climb to a projected high of approximately 32 quadrillion units in 2030a peak of approximately 32 quadrillion units in 2030.

4

In contrast, the consumption of the other threeconsumptions of other three energy sources were much lower than those of coal, petrol and oil, and natural gas. The consumption figures for nuclear, solar/wind, and hydropowerThe consumptions of nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower stood at about 3.5 quadrillion units in 1980, after whichin 1908, then the consumptions of nuclear and solar/wind began to rise slowly, reaching around 8 and 6 quadrillion units respectively by 2030began to rise slowly, while the consumption of hydropower showed a fluctuatingfulctuating trend between 1980 and 2010from 1985 to 2010, then remainedreamained stable at the end of the period.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.0

The essay presents a clear overview and effectively groups the data into major and minor energy sources. The primary limitation stems from date inaccuracies, such as repeatedly writing '1908' instead of 1980, alongside minor figures that do not match the chart peak. Proofreading factual details and target dates before submitting is the highest-priority improvement.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

6.0
Scoring rule

Key trends and an overview are present, but repeated date inaccuracies and slightly imprecise final estimates lower data accuracy.

Next step

Verify all dates and numerical figures directly against the visual prompt to prevent factual typos like '1908'.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

7.0
Scoring rule

Information is logically grouped into distinct paragraphs comparing high-consumption and low-consumption fuels.

Next step

Ensure cohesive transitions between sentences remain varied rather than relying frequently on basic linkers like 'moreover' and 'in contrast'.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.0
Scoring rule

A good variety of trend language and fuel descriptors is used appropriately throughout the response.

Next step

Proofread carefully to eliminate minor spelling errors such as 'fulctuating' and 'reamained'.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0
Scoring rule

A broad range of complex sentence structures and correct time-frame tenses are successfully employed.

Next step

Maintain consistent article accuracy, particularly with plural comparisons like 'the other three energy sources'.

Put the feedback to work

Write this task while it is fresh

Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

The graph below shows a 2008 report about the consumption of energy in the USA since 1980, with projections until 2030.

Your response

Words0
20:00

Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.