Academic Writing Task 1 · mixed chart

Global water consumption trends and comparative data for two nations: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 mixed chart question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about mixed charts.
  • 187 words
  • Mixed charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water consumption in two different countries

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Worldwide water use by sector (Km³)
01,0002,0003,0004,0005,000190019201940196019802000
  • Agriculture
  • Industrial use
  • Domestic use
View the data
19001910192019301940195019601970198019902000
Agriculture5005506007008001,0001,4001,6002,0002,5003,000
Industrial use506070801002004005007009001,200
Domestic use202530354050100150200300400
CountryPopulationIrrigated landWater consumption per person
Brazil176 million26,500 km²359 m³
Democratic Republic of Congo5.2 million100 km²8 m³

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8187 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The line graph illustrates the growth in global water consumption for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes from 1900 to 2000. The table provides a comparison of population, irrigated land, and per capita water usage between Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Overall, water consumption worldwide rose dramatically over the century, with agriculture consistently requiring the largest volume. Furthermore, there is a stark disparity in water-related statistics between the two listed countries.

In 1900, agricultural water use stood at 500 km³, rising steadily to 1,000 km³ by 1950, and accelerating to 3,000 km³ by 2000. Industrial and domestic sectors also grew, though at lower volumes; industrial use climbed from 50 km³ to 1,200 km³, while domestic use increased from 20 km³ to 400 km³ over the same period.

Regarding the table, Brazil, with a population of 176 million, utilizes 26,500 km² of irrigated land and consumes 359 m³ of water per person. In contrast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a much smaller population of 5.2 million, uses only 100 km² of irrigated land and records a significantly lower per capita water consumption of just 8 m³.

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Mixed charts

How to write about mixed charts: tips and vocabulary

  • →Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals.
  • →Give each visual its own detail paragraph.
  • →Point out where one chart explains the other.
  • stark

    very obvious, clear, or easily seen difference

  • disparity

    a great difference between two or more things

  • accelerating

    increasing in speed or rate of growth

  • per capita

    for each person in a specific group

  • consistently

    always behaving or happening in the same way

  • dramatically

    in a way that is sudden and striking

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Global water usage across all sectors increased significantly between 1900 and 2000, with agriculture remaining the dominant consumer, while Brazil shows vastly higher water consumption metrics than the Democratic Republic of Congo.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe mixed charts?+

Write one overview sentence that links the two visuals. Give each visual its own detail paragraph. Point out where one chart explains the other.

Keep practising

More mixed charts

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