The charts below show information on residential water use in 1988 and 2008.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 1 question on IELTSX. The charts below show information on residential water use in 1988 and 2008.

Residential water use in 1988 and 2008 - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

IELTS Writing Task 1 chart for Residential water use in 1988 and 2008
Chart supplied with the IELTS Writing Task 1 question: Residential water use in 1988 and 2008

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 ยท 195 words.

The pie charts compare the percentages of water consumed for various residential purposes in a specific location in two different years, 1988 and 2008.

Overall, it is evident that while water usage for kitchens and bathrooms saw a noticeable increase over the 20-year period, the opposite trend was true for gardens, washing, and toilets. Additionally, by 2008, the kitchen replaced washing as the primary consumer of residential water.

In 1988, washing accounted for the largest share of water consumption at 25%, followed closely by bathroom usage at 22% and garden watering at 20%. However, by 2008, the figure for washing had declined slightly to 22%, and garden water usage experienced a dramatic drop, plummeting to just 7%. Conversely, water utilized in bathrooms rose to 28%, making it the second largest water-consuming category at the end of the period.

Significant changes were also observed in kitchen and toilet water consumption. In 1988, kitchens used only 15% of the total water, but this figure nearly doubled to become the dominant sector at 29% in 2008. In contrast, the proportion of water allocated for toilets saw a modest decline, dropping from 18% to 14% over the same timeframe.

Examiner feedback

This is an exemplary response that meets all the criteria for Band 9. It provides a clear, concise overview and follows it with a logical, data-supported analysis using sophisticated vocabulary and flawless grammar.

Task Achievement - 9

- The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task, including a clear overview and accurate data selection. - Key features are skillfully selected and highlighted, specifically the shift in the primary consumer of water. - Data is accurately used to support the description, showing a sophisticated understanding of the trends.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- The message can be followed effortlessly with a clear, logical progression of ideas from the overview to specific data points. - Cohesion is used naturally with transitions like "Conversely," "In contrast," and "Additionally" used to link ideas without being mechanical. - Paragraphing is skillfully managed, grouping information by category and trend effectively.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Full flexibility and precise use of vocabulary are evident (e.g., "plummeting," "dominant sector," "allocated for"). - The language is natural and sophisticated, conveying precise meanings without repetitive phrasing. - Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and control. - The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled with precision throughout. - Complex structures, such as using present participle clauses ("making it the second largest..."), are used accurately to enhance the flow.

Related prompts

Start Practice