User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 1 Band 4.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

198 words AcademicTask 1Line Graph

Task 1

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

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Ideas to explore

Petroleum was the leading fuel throughout, reaching about 140 in the mid-1980s, dipping around 1990–91, then recovering to a similar level.
Coal had a sharp early fall, a partial rebound, and then a longer decline to about 35 by 2000.
Natural gas stayed near 40 for much of the 1980s, rose strongly after 1991, and ended at about 100, above coal but below petroleum.

Suggested structure

Introduce the graph by naming the three fuels, the UK, the years and the unit.
Give an overview of the overall ranking and the contrasting directions of change.
Describe petroleum’s rise, dip and recovery with key dates and approximate figures.
Compare coal’s decline with natural gas’s later growth, including their end values.

Useful vocabulary & examples

remain the leading source: continue to have the highest production level among the categories.
Petroleum remained the leading source throughout the period.
fall sharply: decrease quickly and substantially over a relatively short interval.
Coal production fell sharply to around 40 in 1984.
recover to approximately: rise again after a decline to reach a similar or specified level.
Petroleum recovered to approximately 140 in 1996.
overtake: become greater than another category after previously being lower.
Natural gas overtook coal in the early 1990s.

Task Prompt

The graph below shows the production levels of the main kinds of fuel in the UK between 1981 and 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparison where relevant.

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 4.0

Mentioned graph illustrates different kinds of fuels produced by UK since 1981 to the year 2000. Overall, 3 type of fuel produced by UK, Natural gas production has surged drastically, petroleum production also increased, whereas coal production has dropped. In 1981, Natrual Gas production as near 40 tonnes and there was a very little growth until around 1988, when it began to rise slowly. By 1991 it was about 50 units, then it increased quickly to approximately 75 in 1994 and finished at 100 in 2000. Petroleum started at about 90 units in 1981 and it went up to around 140 in 1985. It stayed close to this number for some years, before falling to nearly 100 in 1991. After this, it increased again, reaching about 140 in 1996 and ending at roughly 145. Coal was about 80 units at first, but it fell sharply to around 40 in 1984. It went up to about 60 two years later, then generally went down with some small changes. At the end, coal was only around 35 units. Petroleum was the most produced fuel for most of the period, while natural gas became higher than coal in the early 1990s.

Targeted Improvement Tips

Replace “tonnes” with the graph’s stated energy units, and use the same unit consistently for each figure.

Rewrite the overview as two clear comparisons: petroleum was generally highest, while gas rose and coal declined; note that gas overtook coal in the early 1990s.

Before finishing, check each sentence for a subject and verb, then check plural nouns and articles, especially in the introduction.

AI Feedback

Overall Band

4.0

Modest

Words

198

Type

Line Graph

Criteria Breakdown

Task Achievement

5.0 Band

The overview identifies the main directions of change in “Natural gas production has surged drastically” and “coal production has dropped,” and the continuation adds relevant approximate figures for all three fuels. However, “40 tonnes” misstates the graph’s energy-unit scale, and the overview could more clearly compare the fuels. Next, use the graph’s stated units consistently and highlight that petroleum remained highest while gas overtook coal.

Coherence & Cohesion

4.5 Band

The answer moves from an introduction and overview to gas, petroleum and coal details, then ends with a comparison. This gives the reader a workable progression, and “After this” helps signal a change in petroleum’s trend. However, transitions between series are basic, and the opening overview is grammatically unclear. Group the overview separately and use concise comparisons to connect the series rather than repeating standalone descriptions.

Lexical Resource

4.0 Band

The response uses useful trend language such as “fell sharply,” “increased quickly” and “ending at roughly 145.” These expressions make the broad movements understandable. However, “went up” and “some small changes” are vague, while “surged drastically” is an unnecessarily doubled emphasis. Use more precise chart language, such as “fluctuated slightly,” and vary verbs without overstating the size of a change.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

4.0 Band

The answer includes simple past-tense reporting, for example, “It stayed close to this number” and “it fell sharply.” However, “3 type of fuel produced by UK” omits necessary grammatical forms, and “production as near 40 tonnes” lacks the verb “was.” These errors affect clarity in key sentences. Practise complete subject–verb sentences and check articles, plurals and prepositions before submitting.

Topic Band Distribution

Band 9.03 examples

Band 8.03 examples

Band 7.03 examples

Band 6.03 examples

Band 5.03 examples

Band 4.03 examples

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