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

Same questionCompare 2 different answers (Band 6)

Sample Response

1

The line graph depicts information about energy consumptionutilisation of energy in the USA since 1980 with predictions until 2030. In general, petrol & oil and coal had the highest levels of fuel consumptionaccounted as high units of fuel consumption in 1980 and will increasewill be increased until 2030. In contrast, nuclear, solar/wind and water power were less favourable fuel consumed since 1980 and will be less chosen until 2030.

2

Looking at the details, petrol and oil stood at aboutreckoned about 35 quadrillion units in 1980 and was true as the highest fuel use at the time and has gone up gradually to about 40 quadrillions in 2015 and will increase to more than 45 quadrillions in 2030. The same trend is true for coal consumptionresources. The coal consumption was about 16 quadrillion units in 1980 and the figure roselevelled up over the period shownthrough the observed years and is projected to hit the figure of about 32 quadrillion units30 quadrillion units in 2030. Natural gas utilisation fluctuatedseemed fluctuated over the period shownover observed years and it stood at aboutit points about 25 quadrillion units20 quadrillion unit in 2015. However, it is predicted to level off until 2030.

3

In contrast, nuclear, sun/ wind, and hydropower remained at low consumption levelskept small quantities of fuel consumption compared to other fuel sources as they are projected to a tiny amount of fuel utilisation in 2030. Nuclear use was about 4 quadrillion units in 1980 and in 2030 the figure will hit only about 87 quadrillion units. Solar and hydropower also amassed about 3 to 4 quadrillion units in 19804 quadrillions in 1980 and in 2030, the consumption will be only about 6 quadrillion units for solar/wind5 quadrillions for solar and hydropower will remain at roughly its 1980 levelwill remain the same figure like it was in 1980.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 6.0

The response is clearly organised around higher- and lower-use fuels and identifies the dominant sources. Its main limitation is data accuracy and precision, particularly the understated natural-gas figure for 2015 and several imprecise descriptions of trends. Prioritise checking each selected value against the graph and using accurate trend language, then revise recurring grammar and collocation errors so comparisons read more naturally.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

6.0
Scoring rule

The report identifies the dominant fuels and broad trends, but its overview is partly misleading and several figures differ from the graph.

Next step

Verify key values, especially natural gas at about 25 quadrillion units in 2015, and distinguish rising, stable, and fluctuating series precisely.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

6.0
Scoring rule

The three-part structure creates broadly clear progression from the overview to the major and minor fuel groups, despite some repetitive linking.

Next step

Use more specific comparative links to connect related trends instead of repeatedly relying on general contrast phrases.

LR

Lexical Resource

5.5
Scoring rule

There is some range in energy-related vocabulary, but frequent unnatural choices such as "reckoned," "levelled up," and "amassed" reduce precision.

Next step

Use standard Task 1 collocations such as "stood at," "rose to," "fluctuated," and "remained stable."

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

5.5
Scoring rule

A mix of sentence forms is attempted, but recurring agreement, article, passive-form, and noun-form errors weaken control.

Next step

Review subject-verb agreement and use singular measurement forms after numbers, as in "40 quadrillion units."

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 gives information from a 2008 report about 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.