Task 1 IELTS Writing Model - Cambridge 9 Test 4 U.S. Energy Consumption by Fuel (1980-2030)

IELTS(International English Language Testing System) is the world's leading test of English for higher education, immigration and employment. Below is a model for IELTS Writing Task 1.

Question:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

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

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

Model Answer:

What the chart focuses on is the information from a 2008 report about U.S. Energy consumption by fuel from 1980 with predictions until 2030.

When it comes to petrol and oil, they are the most popular fuels. In 1980, the number was 35 quadrillion units. Then it had gone up and down but still kept stable around 35 quadrillion units before it increased moderately, arriving at the climax, with 50 quadrillion units in 2030.

As to the consumption of coal and natural gas, the data are alike. In terms of coal, the number was initially 15 quadrillion units. Since then, it ascended gradually during the next five decades. It is expected to reach 30 quadrillion units in 2030, which is 20 quadrillion units less than the use of petrol and oil. Similarly, the change of natural gas showed the same trend between 1980 and 2015. However, since then, the figures are predicted to level out at 25 quadrillion units.

In contrast, the consumption of nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower are the least but among them, the trends are almost the same. Although there were slight fluctuations, the data remained steady at around 5 quadrillion units and they are predicted to level off.

In conclusion, petrol and oil, coal and natural gas were the main fuel that people make use of while nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower are the least popular, which however kept the most stable.