Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels.
Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number, and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social networks or online banking.
This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of various energy sources from the real IELTS exam.
Find all the most recent task 1 topics here and my full IELTS Ebooks here and my online courses here.
Dave
IELTS Essay Task 1: Pie Charts Energy
The pie charts display the sources of energy production in 1985 and 2003. Looking from an overall perspective, it is clear that in 1985 the majority of energy came from primarily oil followed by nuclear power, natural gas, and coal with cleaner energy sources rarer. By 2003, renewables became slightly more common or remained level, the use of oil decreased but was still the most used, while both coal and natural gas underwent the largest increases.
In 1985, oil represented 52% of all energy sourced, though this figure had declined to 39% by 2003. Nuclear power, which was the second most pervasive energy source in 1985 at 22%, had the steepest fall to just 8% in 2003. In contrast, natural gas rose from 13% to 23% and coal nearly tripled to 22%.
In terms of the cleaner energy sources, hydro power represented 4% of total usage in both years while other renewables quadrupled from 1% in 1985 to 4% in 2003.
Analysis
1. The pie charts display the sources of energy production in 1985 and 2003. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is clear that in 1985 the majority of energy came from primarily oil followed by nuclear power, natural gas, and coal with cleaner energy sources rarer. 3. By 2003, renewables became slightly more common or remained level, the use of oil decreased but was still the most used, while both coal and natural gas underwent the largest increases.
Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
You might need another sentence for your overview.
1. In 1985, oil represented 52% of all energy sourced, though this figure had declined to 39% by 2003. 2. Nuclear power, which was the second most pervasive energy source in 1985 at 22%, had the steepest fall to just 8% in 2003. 3. In contrast, natural gas rose from 13% to 23% and coal nearly tripled to 22%.
Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
Make sure you compare as much as possible.
Vary long and short sentences.
1. In terms of the cleaner energy sources, hydro power represented 4% of total usage in both years while other renewables quadrupled from 1% in 1985 to 4% in 2003.
Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The pie charts display the sources of energy production in 1985 and 2003. Looking from an overall perspective, it is clear that in 1985 the majority of energy came from primarily oil followed by nuclear power, natural gas, and coal with cleaner energy sources rarer. By 2003, renewables became slightly more common or remained level, the use of oil decreased but was still the most used, while both coal and natural gas underwent the largest increases.
In 1985, oil represented 52% of all energy sourced, though this figure had declined to 39% by 2003. Nuclear power, which was the second most pervasive energy source in 1985 at 22%, had the steepestfall to just 8% in 2003. In contrast, natural gas rose from 13% to 23% and coal nearly tripled to 22%.
In terms of the cleaner energy sources, hydro power represented 4% of total usage in both years while other renewables quadrupled from 1% in 1985 to 4% in 2003.
Answers
Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:
display show
sources origins
energy production making energy, electricity, etc.
Looking from an overall perspective, it is clear that overall
majority most of
primarily mainly
followed by after that
nuclear power power from nuclear plants and radiation
natural gas a source of heat and power deep in the ground
coal a black rock used for power
cleaner energy sources renewable energies like solar, wind, etc.
Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:
The pie charts d_________y the s____________s of e________________n in 1985 and 2003. L______________________________________________t in 1985 the m___________y of energy came from p_________y oil f_____________yn_____________r, n______________s, and c_____l with c____________________s r______r. By 2003, r__________s became s_______________________n or r_______________l, the use of oil decreased but was still the most used, while both coal and natural gas u___________t the largest increases.
In 1985, oil r_____________d 52% of all energy sourced, though this figure had d________d to 39% by 2003. Nuclear power, which was the second most p___________e energy source in 1985 at 22%, had the s_________t fall to just 8% in 2003. I_______________t, natural gas rose from 13% to 23% and coal n___________d to 22%.
I_____________f the cleaner energy sources, hydro power represented 4% of t____________e in both years while other renewables q____________d from 1% in 1985 to 4% in 2003.
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of information technology from the real IELTS recent exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks! My online video subscription courses are also available here.
Dave
IELTS Essay: Information Technology
Information technology is changing many aspects of our lives and now dominates our home, leisure and work activities.
To what extent do the benefits of information technology outweigh the disadvantages?
Some today would argue that the revolution in information technology has a pernicious impact generally. In my opinion, the drawbacks related to social interaction do not outweigh the positive possibilities now available to the average person.
The legitimately worrying disadvantages to information technology concern interpersonal relationships. In the past, social interactions in person were more common. Today, a majority of conversations take place through messaging apps and on social media. The short-term result is that communication skills are in decline. The longer-term implications will create wider social trends. As people interact and form groups online they are more prone to groupthink and radicalization. What would normally be mitigated by one’s circle of friends and families, can now grow unabated in the virtual sphere with possible negative results for all of society.
The main advantages of the current age are increases in what is possible. These possibilities are most basically conveniences. Users can save time by taking advantage of their phones to send emails, make calls, organize their day and undertake a variety of other tasks. As technology evolves, it has even become more common for employees to work remotely and therefore conserve time and energy commuting to and from the office. Beyond these simple comforts, people are able to accomplish more with digital devices. This includes the ability to write with word processors, edit video on various applications, and then post and interact with a global audience through the internet and sites such as YouTube.
In conclusion, despite the threat of a less socially active world, there are justifying benefits concerning human potentiality. Both the positives and negatives must be weighed and managed carefully.
Analysis
1. Some today would argue that the revolution in information technology has a pernicious impact generally. 2. In my opinion, the drawbacks related to social interaction do not outweigh the positive possibilities now available to the average person.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. The legitimately worrying disadvantages to information technology concern interpersonal relationships. 2. In the past, social interactions in person were more common. 3. Today, a majority of conversations take place through messaging apps and on social media. 4. The short-term result is that communication skills are in decline. 5. The longer-term implications will create wider social trends. 6. As people interact and form groups online they are more prone to groupthink and radicalization. 7. What would normally be mitigated by one’s circle of friends and families, can now grow unabated in the virtual sphere with possible negative results for all of society.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
Keep developing it fully.
Vary long and short sentences.
Keep adding more detail.
Finish development.
1. The main advantages of the current age are increases in what is possible. 2. These possibilities are most basically conveniences. 3. Users can save time by taking advantage of their phones to send emails, make calls, organize their day and undertake a variety of other tasks. 4. As technology evolves, it has even become more common for employees to work remotely and therefore conserve time and energy commuting to and from the office. 5. Beyond these simple comforts, people are able to accomplish more with digital devices. 6. This includes the ability to write with word processors, edit video on various applications, and then post and interact with a global audience through the internet and sites such as YouTube.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
Develop the example fully.
State the results as well.
1. In conclusion, despite the threat of a less socially active world, there are justifying benefits concerning human potentiality. 2. Both the positives and negatives must be weighed and managed carefully.
Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Some today would argue that the revolution in information technology has a pernicious impact generally. In my opinion, the drawbacks related to social interaction do not outweigh the positive possibilities now available to the average person.
The legitimately worrying disadvantages to information technology concerninterpersonal relationships. In the past, social interactions in person were more common. Today, a majority of conversations take place through messaging apps and on social media. The short-term result is that communication skills are in decline. The longer-term implications will create wider social trends. As people interact and form groupsonline they are more prone to groupthink and radicalization. What would normally be mitigated by one’s circle of friends and families, can now grow unabated in the virtual sphere with possible negative results for all of society.
The main advantages of the current age are increases in what is possible. These possibilities are most basically conveniences. Users can save time by taking advantage of their phones to send emails, make calls, organize their day and undertake a variety of other tasks. As technology evolves, it has even become more common for employees to work remotely and therefore conserve time and energy commuting to and from the office. Beyond these simple comforts, people are able to accomplish more with digital devices. This includes the ability to write with word processors, edit video on various applications, and then post and interact with a global audience through the internet and sites such as YouTube.
In conclusion, despite the threat of a less socially active world, there are justifying benefits concerning human potentiality. Both the positives and negatives must be weighed and managed carefully.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
argue claim
revolution big change
information technology internet, computers, etc.
pernicious impact bad effect
generally overall
drawbacks downsides
related to concerning
social interaction people talking
outweigh stronger than
positive possibilities good opportunities
available can happen
legitimately worrying disadvantages real dangerous downsides
concerninterpersonal relationships have to do with people interacting
common happens a lot
majority most of
take place happen
messaging apps Facebook messenger, ios messenger, etc.
social media Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
short-term result not that far in the future
communication skills talking to people
in decline getting worse
longer-term implications in the future ramifications
wider social trends patterns for all of society
form groupsonline become part of online communities
more prone to groupthink more likely to think the same as others
radicalization becoming extreme
normally in most cases
mitigated weakened
circle of friends people around you
grow unabated increase with no limits
virtual sphere online world
possible potential
results effects
current age nowadays
possibilities potential chances
most basically conveniences essentially make life easier
users people using services
taking advantage of exploiting
organize order
undertake do
variety different kinds
tasks objectives
evolves changes
work remotely work from home
therefore thus
conserve maintain
commuting traveling to work or school
beyond these simple comforts past these conveniences
accomplish get done
digital devices phones, computers, etc.
includes concerns
word processors MS word, Google docs, etc.
edit video work with video files
various different kinds of
post put online
interact with talk with
global audience the whole world
despite regardless of
threat risk
less socially active world people communicating less and less
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Some today would a______e that the r____________n in i_____________________y has a p_______________________________y. In my opinion, the d______________s r____________o s________________________n do not o________________h the p_____________________s now a_____________e to the average person.
The l_____________________________________s to information technology c__________ni______________________________s. In the past, social interactions in person were more c______n. Today, a m__________y of conversations t__________e through m____________________s and on s_______________a. The s___________________t is that c________________________s are i____________e. The l________________________s will create w__________________s. As people interact and f______________________e they are m________________o g_______________k and r________________n. What would n____________y be m_____________d by one’s c_________________s and families, can now g____________________d in the v_________________e with p______________e negative r__________s for all of society.
The main advantages of the c_________________e are increases in what is possible. These p______________s are m_______________________________s. U______s can save time by t_________________________f their phones to send emails, make calls, o____________e their day and u___________e a v_______y of other t_______s. As technology e__________s, it has even become more common for employees to w________________y and t___________e c__________e time and energy c__________g to and from the office. B_______________________________s, people are able to a_____________h more with d_______________s. This i__________s the ability to write with w____________________s, e_____________o on v__________s applications, and then p____t and i________________h a g____________e through the internet and sites such as YouTube.
In conclusion, d_________e the t________t of a l__________________________d, there are j___________g benefits c____________g human p_____________y. Both the positives and negatives must be weighed and m_____________________y.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
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