Question: The first chart above shows how energy is used in an average Australian household. The second chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions which result from this energy use. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Band 8+ Sample Answer:
(Intro & Overview) The two pie charts compare and contrast data on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from a range of domestic activities in an average Australian home. Overall, it is apparent that heating required the largest amount of energy although it produced markedly less greenhouse gas compared to water heating and ‘other appliances’, which were the two biggest emitters, which consuming moderate amounts of energy. Refrigeration, cooling and lighting required the least energy and simultaneously emitted the lowest amounts of greenhouse gas.
(Detail 1) Turning to the first pie chart, 42% of domestic energy was used for heating, which amounted to the largest demand, followed by water heating with 30%. By contrast, ‘other appliances’ consumed a moderate figure of only 15% of home energy. Of less significance was refrigeration (7%), lighting (4%) and cooling (2%), all requiring comparatively small amounts.
(Detail 2) As for the second pie chart, roughly a third of domestic greenhouse gas emissions were due to water heating (32%). Similarly, ‘other appliances’ emitted 28%, making these the two most significant sources of home emissions. Heating and refrigeration were shown to be less important with 15% and 14% respectively. Finally, 8% of domestic emissions were due to lighting while cooling was the least significant source with just 3%. (205 words)
Words: Nick Kemp, former IELTS examiner.
Image: Cambridge