The table below describes water usage for 3 different purposes in 6 countries in 2003.
Sample Response
The table illustrates the proportions of water use for 3 different purposes in 6 countries in 2003.
It is clear from the table that most countries used the largest share of water in the agricultural sector and the smallest – in industrial.
To begin, the United Kingdom and China had almost identical water usage profiles and their ratios of agricultural water usage were around 90%, while their domestic and industrial water usage ranged between 5 and 7%. India had slightly different figures, with a lower value for agriculture at 82% and higher figures for domestic and industrial usage at 10 and 8%, respectively.
Canada and Australia had a similar domestic water usage, at 63 and 65%, respectively; however the industry in Canada was a major water consumer at 32%, compared to just 2% in Australia. The Canadian agriculture consumed an insignificant 5% of water, unlike Australia, whose agriculture used 33% of water.
Lastly, Japan use the largest share of its water in agriculture (66%), and the rest was shared between domestic and industrial use, in similar proportions of 19% and 15%, respectively.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use precise measure Original: their ratios of agricultural water usage Suggested revision: the proportions of water used for agriculture Why it matters: Proportion is the appropriate term for percentage shares in the table.
- 2. Name the proportion Original: value Suggested revision: proportion Why it matters: Proportion describes the reported percentage more precisely than value.
- 3. Use category wording Original: the industry in Canada Suggested revision: industrial use in Canada Why it matters: Industrial use names the table category directly and naturally.
- 4. Fix category phrase Original: The Canadian agriculture Suggested revision: Agricultural use in Canada Why it matters: Agriculture cannot take a nationality adjective in this comparison.
- 5. Clarify the share Original: whose agriculture used Suggested revision: where agriculture accounted for Why it matters: The revised phrase correctly expresses Australia's percentage allocation.
- 6. Use past tense Original: use Suggested revision: used Why it matters: The report consistently describes data from 2003, so the verb should be past tense.
- 7. Describe remaining share Original: the rest was shared between domestic and industrial use Suggested revision: the remainder was divided between domestic and industrial uses Why it matters: Remainder and divided express how the remaining percentage was allocated more precisely.
- 8. State figures directly Original: in similar proportions of 19% and 15%, respectively Suggested revision: at 19% and 15%, respectively Why it matters: The direct percentage wording is clearer and avoids the awkward proportions of construction.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: It is clear from the table that most countries used the largest share of water in the agricultural sector and the smallest – in industrial. Suggested revision: Agriculture accounted for the largest share in four countries, while domestic use dominated in Canada and Australia; industrial use was generally the smallest category, except in Canada. Why it matters: The original overview overlooks the two domestic-use leaders and incorrectly implies that industry was the smallest category in Canada.
Suggested Rewrites
- their ratios of agricultural water usage the proportions of water used for agriculture
- value proportion
- the industry in Canada industrial use in Canada
- The Canadian agriculture Agricultural use in Canada
- whose agriculture used where agriculture accounted for
- use used
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a clear overview and accurately compares all six countries, with effective grouping of similar water-use patterns. Its main limitation is a small amount of imprecise wording and a few grammar slips, especially subject-verb agreement. The highest-priority improvement is to sharpen the overview by explicitly contrasting the agriculture-dominant countries with Canada and Australia, where domestic use was highest.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response presents a clear overview and accurately reports and compares the main figures for all six countries.
Make the overview more discriminating by identifying Canada and Australia as the two countries where domestic use, rather than agricultural use, was highest.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is logically sequenced, with a separate overview and well-focused paragraphs grouping countries by similar patterns.
Strengthen the final paragraph's connection to the preceding comparisons so Japan does not feel slightly isolated.
Lexical Resource
A strong range of relevant vocabulary describes proportions and comparisons precisely, though a few phrases such as 'The Canadian agriculture' are unnatural.
Use more natural noun phrases such as 'agricultural use in Canada' and avoid vague terms such as 'ratios' when reporting proportions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied complex structures with strong control, but isolated errors occur in agreement and phrasing.
Check subject-verb agreement and article use, particularly in sentences such as 'Japan use' and references to agricultural consumption.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The table below describes water usage for 3 different purposes in 6 countries in 2003.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.