The diagram shows the consumption of renewable energy in the USA from 1949-2008.
Sample Response
The given line graphpie chart presents consumption from four sourcesthe consumption as well as sources of different forms of renewable energy in the USA from 1949 to 2008. Overall, the total energy consumed in different forms roseshow rose with many fluctuations during this period. In detailIf we see the graph in detail, we can categorise the data into two groups. The first group includes hydroelectric power and wood energy consumption. We can see that the amount of hydroelectric power consumedthat rate of energy consumed by hydroelectric power is higher thanhigher compared to wood energy. In 1949 the two sources had almost the same consumption levelboth energy lines touch almost the same rate of consumption, and both fluctuated over the following yearswhich over years pass through many ups and downs and in 2008 again match the values with a gap of roughly 0.4 quadrillion BTUwith the difference of around point one percent. The second group comprises biofuels and wind energy. Both sources first appear near zero around 1980Both lines show almost the same trend of stability between 1949 and 1980 and then rise sharply afterwardsand then sharp rise afterwards. In 2008In 2008 grading, the consumption of biofuels was a little higherwas little higher than the wind energy. To summarise, we can say that hydroelectric power was the largest renewable source by consumptionthe most popular source of energy and wind power was the least. Consumption of all four sources increased overallThe trend of all energy forms is increased overall but in an irregular manner. It is also notable thatAnother interesting thing can be noticed that wind and biofuels are not shown until around 1980consumption of wind and biofuels remains at zero level between 1949 and 1980.
Why this response received Band 5.5
The response identifies the broad upward tendency and attempts to group the four renewable sources, giving the report a workable organising idea. However, it misidentifies the graphic, makes several inaccurate comparisons—particularly for biofuels and wind—and provides too little precise numerical support. The highest-priority improvement is to read the endpoints and turning points carefully, then report a smaller set of verified comparisons with accurate units.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response provides an overview and mentions all four sources, but several trends and comparisons are inaccurate or insufficiently supported by figures.
Report the total trend and each source’s endpoint accurately, especially that wind ends above biofuels and hydroelectricity does not remain uniformly above wood.
Coherence and Cohesion
The grouping of sources creates a discernible progression, but the single-block structure and repeated summary statements weaken cohesion.
Use separate overview and detail paragraphs, with one detail paragraph for the larger sources and one for wind and biofuels.
Lexical Resource
Some appropriate trend vocabulary is used, but frequent imprecise expressions such as ‘2008 grading’ and ‘energy lines touch’ reduce clarity.
Use conventional graph terms such as reached, fluctuated, remained negligible, and quadrillion BTU.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
There is some complex sentence structure, but frequent agreement, tense, article, and clause-construction errors make the writing awkward.
Edit each sentence for a clear subject and finite verb, then check tense and agreement consistently.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The diagram shows the consumption of renewable energy in the USA from 1949-2008.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.