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This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay related to water usage in Australia.
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IELTS Essay Task 1 Water Usage Australia

The charts show the total usage proportions for water in Australia and a breakdown of its residential purposes. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of water is dedicated to houses, followed by apartments, industry, businesses and finally other. In terms of the residential use, it is mainly for bathrooms and gardens, with lower numbers for washing clothes, toilets and kitchens.
Looking first of all at the pie chart, houses represent 57% of total water usage, far surpassing apartments at 13%, industry at 11%, business 10%, government 6%, and lastly other (3%).
The bar chart delineates the uses of residential water, including both homes and apartments. Nearly 30% of all water was used for bathrooms, the highest figure, while gardens was slightly lower at 26%. Washing clothes translates to 20% of usage, followed by toilets at 15%, and kitchen use totaling just 10%.
Analysis
1. The charts show the total usage proportions for water in Australia and a breakdown of its residential purposes. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of water is dedicated to houses, followed by apartments, industry, businesses and finally other. 3. In terms of the residential use, it is mainly for bathrooms and gardens, with lower numbers for washing clothes, toilets and kitchens.
- Paraphrase what the charts show.
- Write an overview of the first chart.
- And the second one! Read more about overviews here.
1. Looking first of all at the pie chart, houses represent 57% of total water usage, far surpassing apartments at 13%, industry at 11%, business 10%, government 6%, and lastly other (3%).
- Describe the data fully.
1. The bar chart delineates the use of residential water, including both homes and apartments. 2. Nearly 30% of all water was used for bathrooms, the highest figure, while gardens was slightly lower at 26%. 3. Washing clothes translates to 20% of usage, followed by toilets at 15%, and kitchen use totaling just 10%.
- Move on to the other graph.
- Describe the data.
- Make sure you don’t miss out on any data.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The charts show the total usage proportions for water in Australia and a breakdown of its residential purposes. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of water is dedicated to houses, followed by apartments, industry, businesses and finally other. In terms of the residential use, it is mainly for bathrooms and gardens, with lower numbers for washing clothes, toilets and kitchens.
Looking first of all at the pie chart, houses represent 57% of total water usage, far surpassing apartments at 13%, industry at 11%, business 10%, government 6%, and lastly other (3%).
The bar chart delineates the uses of residential water, including both homes and apartments. Nearly 30% of all water was used for bathrooms, the highest figure, while gardens was slightly lower at 26%. Washing clothes translates to 20% of usage, followed by toilets at 15%, and kitchen use totaling just 10%.
Answers
total usage proportions complete percentages
breakdown detailed
residential purposes how it is used for homes
looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent in general
vast majority most of
dedicated to used for
followed by then
in terms of as it relates to
mainly mostly
lower numbers not as high
looking first of all at firstly
represent are
far surpassing a lot above
lastly finally
delineates describes
nearly almost
highest figure biggest number
slightly lower a little less
translates means
followed by next
totaling just all together only
Pronunciation
ˈtəʊtl ˈjuːzɪʤ prəˈpɔːʃənz
ˈbreɪkˌdaʊn
ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl ˈpɜːpəsɪz
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt
vɑːst məˈʤɒrɪti
ˈdɛdɪkeɪtɪd tuː
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
ˈmeɪnli
ˈləʊə ˈnʌmbəz
ˈlʊkɪŋ fɜːst ɒv ɔːl æt
ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt
fɑː sɜːˈpɑːsɪŋ
ˈlɑːstli
dɪˈlɪnɪeɪts
ˈnɪəli
ˈhaɪɪst ˈfɪgə
ˈslaɪtli ˈləʊə
trænsˈleɪts
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ
ˈtəʊtlɪŋ ʤʌst
Vocabulary Practice
The charts show the total usage proportions for water in Australia and a breakdown of its residential purposes. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of water is dedicated to houses, followed by apartments, industry, businesses and finally other. In terms of the residential use, it is mainly for bathrooms and gardens, with lower numbers for washing clothes, toilets and kitchens.
Looking first of all at the pie chart, houses represent 57% of total water usage, far surpassing apartments at 13%, industry at 11%, business 10%, government 6%, and lastly other (3%).
The bar chart delineates the uses of residential water, including both homes and apartments. Nearly 30% of all water was used for bathrooms, the highest figure, while gardens was slightly lower at 26%. Washing clothes translates to 20% of usage, followed by toilets at 15%, and kitchen use totaling just 10%.
Listening Practice
Learn more about water scarcity below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read about water in Australia and practice with these ideas:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Water
- Do you drink a lot of water?
- Do you prefer bottled or tap water?
- Did you drink a lot of water when you were younger?
- Would you say that bottled water is expensive in your country?
Writing Practice
Write about the chart below and then check with my sample answer:

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