The Graph Below Gives Information From a 2008 Report
Written by Lilie
7.5 in Academic Writing
January 25, 2022
The graph below gives information from a 2008 report about consumption of energy in the USA since 1980 with projections until 2030.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
This essay question is from Cambridge IELTS 9 Test 4 Writing Task 1.
U.S. Energy Consumption by Fuel (1980-2030)
Sample Essay
The line graph shows information about energy use in the USA since 1980 with projections to 2030. The information is from a report published in 2008.
Overall, the U.S. had depended most on petrol and oil, and least on nuclear, solar/wind and hydro power, as its sources of energy, and this was expected to continue into the future.
Petrol and oil had remained the greatest sources of energy, with an increase of 5 quadrillion units from 1980’s 35 quadrillion units. Growth was projected to continue to approximately 50 quadrillion units in 2030.
Energy uses from natural gas and coal had been similar, both fluctuating between 16 and 25 quadrillion units. However, consumption from coal was projected to have a greater increase and by 2030 the US was expected to consume about 30 quadrillion units of energy from coal versus 25 quadrillion units from natural gas.
Nuclear, solar/wind and hydro power each supplied only around 3 quadrillion units of energy in 1980. While the first two sources were predicted to rise slightly to roughly 7 and 5 quadrillion units respectively in 2030, the last was forecast to remain essentially unchanged.
192 Words
When Did the Projections Start?
Many IELTS websites just took the year when they wrote the essay as the starting year of the projections, which is incorrect. The question clearly says that this is a 2008 report. This means that the report was published in 2008. Therefore, it is pretty safe to guess that the projections started in either 2008 or 2009. If the author published the report in January 2008, then the projections could well include the year 2008. However, it doesn’t matter exactly when the projections started because we don’t need to mention it in our essay. All we need to say is that energy consumption from coal was projected to increase, for example.
What Tenses to Use
The projections do not start in the year that you write your essay. Therefore, it is wrong to use the present perfect and the present simple.
✖️Overall, the U.S. has depended most on petrol and oil, and least on nuclear, solar/wind and hydro power, as its sources of energy, and this is expected to continue into the future.
✔️Overall, the U.S. had depended most on petrol and oil, and least on nuclear, solar/wind and hydro power, as its sources of energy, and this was expected to continue into the future.
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The line chart illustrates how much energy was consumed by American residents from 1980, which is presents separately in six various means of power. This data was collected from a published report in 2008 that also contain predictions until 2030.
Overall, according to the historical data, the most popular energy supplies accounted for fossil fuels, which is expected they are going to maintain their popularity in the future. This is worth nothing that, petrol and oil as a liquid source, not only in the past but also in the future will play the main role to supply American’s energy demand.
Between 1980 and 1990, the figures for all sort of sustainable energies saw a steady increase from 3 to nearly 5 quadrillion. In the next 20 years, apart from the amount of nuclear energy consumption, which experienced a steady grow of 2 quadrillion, that of other sort of sustainable energies fluctuated around the last value, it is estimated that this duration will follow by a constant trend for all eco-friendly energies until 2030.
Regard to fossil fuel resources, in 1980 the amount of usage for liquid form was far higher at 35 quadrillion, whereas that of coal fuel stood at 15 quadrillion. Over a period of 50 years, it is anticipated that these figures will see a significant rise of closely 10 and 15 quadrillion, subsequently. However, the figure for natural gas consuming after fell below that of coal fuel in 1985 and 1990, fluctuated for the next 20 years, after which evidence shows it will level out at approximately 22 quadrillion until 2030.
is it wrong if write by 2030?
Hi Lilie, could you please explain the paragraph 3″ with an increase of 5 quadrillion units from 1980’s 35 quadrillion units” mean? thanks a lot ! => acc to my understanding that “increase 5 quadrillion” is that grow over all years from the past until reach the highest level of quadrillion in 2030.
I guess “an increase of 5 quadrillion units from 1980’s 35 quadrillion units” represents the 2008 data. If you look at 2008, between 2005 and 2010, it is roughly at around 40 quadrillion units. Hope it helps.
Dear Lili
Thank you for your helpful samples.
There is just one point I have to tell you in spite of your nice explanation regarding TENSES.I know the report is for 2008 but we are reporting that too at the moment so tenses should be perfect or even future I think .
That would be great to just clarify the point .
Thanks a bunch
Niloufar
The line graph depicts the information regarding the consumption of fuel in the USA from 1980, with projections for 2025 and 2030. Overall, there has been an increase in the consumption of petrol and oil, Coal, and Natural Gas whereas consumption of Nuclear, Solar/Wind and Hydropower remained essentially unchanged.
In 1980, the utilization of Nuclear, Solar/Wind and Hydropower was around 3% after which the projections hovered around 3-10% the entire time. The units of Coal being used saw a gradual growth from 15 units to 25 units except for the spike in 1995. Consumption of Natural gas went up from 20 units to 25 units with a lot of fluctuations until 2020.
Petro and oil emerges as the frontrunner for being the most used form of fuel. From 35 units in 1980 to roughly 43 units, we saw a significant growth apart from the dip in 1985 and 1995. The usage of Nuclear, Solar/Wind, Hydropower, and Natural Gas a fuel is predicted to be plateaued; whereas the use of Coal, Oil and petrol is expected to rise in the future.
The given graph illustrates the consumptions of energy by in US since 1980 with projection to 2030.The data was published in a report 2008.
Overall, the US had depended on petrol and oil remained at the highest from the beginning of 1980 with a projected gradual rise to 2030 whereas the energy utilization of hydropower retained with small fluctuation over the first 30 years and expected to be levelled till 2030.
Energy uses from petrol and gas fell up to five quadrillion units on the period of 1980 to 1985, then it went up about forty quadrillion units and estimated a rise to 50 quadrillion units over the year of 2030.
Coal and Natural gas had been similar on an upward trend over the past 40 years, and then coal is estimated to climb up to near about 30 quadrillion units whereas natural gas is projected to maintain the same level.
However the utilization of nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower rest at the least value with a tiny growth from the past and to the future.
This line chart compares details of energy in USA Publisher in 2008, who consumed by fuel, over a period of 50-yeras. As indicate on x-axis, to show the timescale display per years and on y-axis, have number per unit.
In general view, Energy Consumption fuel for petrol and oil had gone up during the history and projections. While Nuclear, solar/ wind hydropower had plateau during the interval.
It clear that, during the period Petrol and oil were showed largest output almost 50 quadrillion units. In contract, hydropower was lowest amount less than 5quadrillion units.
Interestingly, the rate of coal was increased gradually between 1980 and 2030 for history and projections roughly 17 and 27 quadrillion units. However, Natural gas was increased the remain constant at 25quadrillion units 2010 and 2030 in projections field. Nuclear, Solar/ wind and Hydropower were starting in same point in 1980 in history about 2.5 quadrillion units.
To sum up, the line chart has shown a quite significant difference in consumption in US among various for petrol and oil,Coal,Nclear gas, Solar /Wind and hyperpower.
Mam, is there any comparison in your overall paragraph?
Yes, I used “most” and “least” to make comparisons.
The line graph displays data regarding energy consumption by fuel in the USA from 1980 to prediction until 2030. Information is given from a report published in 2008.
Overall, petrol and oil were highest consumed fuel, in addition, coal and natural gas also contributed significant amount. However, consumption from nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower were at least.
Petrol and Oil of around 35 quadrillion units were used in 1980 which was expected to increase to almost 50 quadrillion units in 2030. Similarly, each of around 16 and 20 quadrillion units of coal and nuclear gas were consumed in 1980, which in mid 2010’s is projected to be consumed at same rate at around 25 quadrillion, after that natural gas is expected to be used in the same rate and coal to rise Little above than 30 quadrillion in 2030.
Meanwhile, all other sources (Nuclear, Solar/wind, and Hydropower) used less than 5 quadrillion units in 1980s. slightly changes are expected in usage of these fuel in the long run of 50 years.
The given figure illustrates the information from 2008 report about the utilization of energy in the USA since 1890 with projection until 2003.
overall, it is evident that the vast majority of the county is dependent on gas and least on hydropower.
According to the given figure, petrol and oil displays the highest consumption from 35 Quadrillion of petrol and oil in 1980 similarly 50 Quadrillion of petrol and oil is expected to be utilized in the future. In a similar fashion, the uses of natural gases was 20 Quadrillion in 1985 which then fluctuates from the year 1985 to 2015 and remains constant from 2020 and is expected to be same until 2030. In addition, their has been an increase in the use of coal which was 16 quadrillion in 1980 and is predicted to be 25 quadrillion in 2030.
Furthermore, the country supplied 3 Quadrillion of energy from nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower in 1980, while in comparison, use of nuclear energy will be grown to 5 Quadrillion whereas, solar/wind to 5 Quadrillion and hydropower consumption fluctuates till 2010 and is predicated to be permanent in upcoming years.
In the overview, you did not mention about coal and natural gas, is it not important to mention those too?
Hi, in the overview, we only need to report the most important features.
Hello, i’m glad to meet this website and you, of course.
I wonder that whether using future perfect tense for these kinds of tasks is appropriate or not
Hi, thanks for your question. No, that tense is not used for projections.
Hi, what is the difference between “be expected to continue” vs “be expected to be continued”? Are both forms appropriate?
Hi, thanks for your question. Only the first one is correct.
Highly appreciated if anyone could kindly give comment.
I think I stuck in grammar…
The graph shows information from a 2008 report about consumption of energy in the USA since 1980 with projections until 2030.
Overall, petrol and oil have been the most consumed energy during the period of 1980 and 2008 in USA. Following by coal, natural gas, and finally renewable energy such as nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower. This trend is predicted to be unchanged until 2030.
In 1980, 35 quadrillion units of petrol and oil were used in USA, although it showed a frustrated trend until 1995, it continuously increased until 40 quadrillion units in 2008.
For the second most popular energy, in 1980 coal and natural gas were 15 quadrillion and 20 quadrillion respectively. Since then, the natural gas’s number have gone up and down in the following 28 years period, while the coal always shown an upward trend. In 2008, these two energies are almost at the same level. In the future until 2030, coal is expected to rise to 30 quadrillion unit, while natural gas will keep almost constant.
Finally for the 3 least popular energy in given period were nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower. Among these only nuclear have shown an obviously climbing pattern between 1980 and 2008, it is expected to increase to almost 10 in the future.
Can I use from instead of since
Hi, “since” implies that the end time is now. If you want to use “from”, you need to add an end time: from 1980 UNTIL NOW.
The given line graphs illustrates data from a report in 2008 regarding energy consumption in the USA since 1980 with predictions until 2030.
Overall, fossil fuels had shown increases in consumption since the start of the period, with expectations for even more reliance on these fuel sources. Cleaner energy sources had accounted for considerably less consumption with predictions for a similar trend.
Regarding fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, petrol and oil, they had seen steady increases in energy consumption since 1980. Petrol and oil started at 35 quadrillion units in 1980, then fluctuated until 2000, at which point they rose steadily with a prediction of over 45 quadrillion units by 2030. Additionally, coal followed a similar rising trend. It was predicted that it would have surpassed 30 quadrillion units by 2030. Natural gas usage demonstrated fluctuations and it would be set to level off at around 24 quadrillion units from 2020 onwards.
In contrast, cleaner energy fuel sources all began the period at under 5 quadrillion units and showed declines in their use, with the exception of nuclear, which climbed slightly to 6 quadrillion units in 2005. With solar/wind expecting to see slight increases, Hydropower was projected to remain relatively unchanged until 2030.
The graph describes information extracted from 2008 report on average amount of energy consumed by fuel in USA from 1980 to 2020 with a prediction in 2030
Overall, the major source of energy intake, which was petrol and oil, will continue the same pattern over the period, next to it was coal and then natural gas while natural , wind/solar and hydropower will continue to be the least common,
from 1980 to 1990, the amount of energy consumed by nuclear, solar and hydropower were relatively similar at roughly 4 quadrillion units. Then just after 1990, the figure of nuclear rose slowly to nearly 5quadrillion units and remained unchanged till 2020. The quantity taken from solar and hydropower experienced some overlapping oscillation between 1990 to 2005 at an average of 4quadrillion unit. Subsequently,
“the figure for” not “the figure of”
Thank you for the correction. I appreciate.