This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of various energy sources from the real IELTS exam.

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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.

1. Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
3. 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%.

1. Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
2. Make sure you compare as much as possible.
3. 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.

1. 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 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.

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.

rarer not that common

renewables clean energy

slightly more common a little more popular

remained level stayed the same

underwent experienced

represented constituted

declined decreased

pervasive common

steepest strongest

In contrast however

nearly tripled almost 3x

in terms of concerning

total usage complete production

quadrupled 4x

Pronunciation

Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:

dɪsˈpleɪ
ˈsɔːsɪz
ˈɛnəʤi prəˈdʌkʃən
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz klɪə ðæt
məˈʤɒrɪti
ˈpraɪmərɪli
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ
ˈnjuːklɪə ˈpaʊə
ˈnæʧrəl gæs
kəʊl
ˈkliːnər ˈɛnəʤi ˈsɔːsɪz
ˈreərə
rɪˈnjuːəblz
ˈslaɪtli mɔː ˈkɒmən
rɪˈmeɪnd ˈlɛvl
ˌʌndəˈwɛnt
ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntɪd
dɪˈklaɪnd
pɜːˈveɪsɪv
ˈstiːpɪst
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
ˈnɪəli ˈtrɪpld
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
ˈtəʊtl ˈjuːzɪʤ
ˈkwɒdrʊpld 

Vocabulary Practice

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_____________y n_____________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:

Reading Practice

Read more and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.wired.com/tag/clean-energy/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Driving

1. Do you like driving?
2. Where was the last place you drove?
3. Where do you like to sit in a car?
4. Is driving common in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related chart below and then check with my sample answer:

IELTS Essay: Two Graphs (Pie and Bar Charts)