The chart below shows different methods of waste disposal in a European country from 2005 to 2008

Waste Disposal Methods European Country 2005-2008 Bar Chart - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 8 · 166 words.

The bar graph illustrates various ways of waste disposal in a European country from 2005 to 2008. The units are measured in million tonnes (mt).

Overall, it is noticeable that the landfill disposal had the highest amount of waste during the given period, except in 2008. While the figure for burning showed a slight upward trend, dumping at sea experienced a period of stability.

In 2005, landfill waste stood at 1800 mt before decreasing significantly to 1200 by 2006. The figure continued to decline, reaching around 900 mt in 2007 and 600 mt by 2008. In contrast, burning disposal experienced a rapid surge. It started with 500 mt in 2005 and rose by 100 mt in subsequent years. In 2008, the numbers jumped to 900 mt, taking the lead from landfill disposal.

In the case of dumping at sea, it showed 600 mt in 2005 and remained completely the same for the next two years. In 2008, the numbers decreased slightly, accounting for approximately 550 mt.

Examiner feedback

This is a very strong Band 8 response. It clearly identifies the most significant change in the data—burning overtaking landfill—and organizes the information in a logical, easy-to-follow manner. To improve, the candidate could focus on integrating more direct comparisons between the data points rather than describing them in isolation.

Task Achievement - 8

- The response covers all requirements of the task by reporting the trends for all three disposal methods across the four-year period. - Key features are skillfully selected, particularly the highlight of burning taking the lead from landfill in 2008. - The overview is clear and identifies the major trends and the shift in dominance between methods. - Data is used accurately to support the description, though more complex comparative structures (e.g., 'three times higher than') could further elevate the response.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information is logically sequenced; the first body paragraph handles the two most dynamic trends (landfill and burning), while the second focuses on the stable trend (sea dumping). - Cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'In contrast', and 'In the case of' are used effectively to guide the reader. - Paragraphing is appropriate and logical. - Referencing (e.g., 'the figure', 'it', 'the numbers') is clear and avoids unnecessary repetition.

Lexical Resource - 7

- A good range of vocabulary is used to describe trends: 'rapid surge', 'stood at', 'accounting for', and 'period of stability'. - Collocations such as 'taking the lead' and 'subsequent years' are natural and appropriate. - Spelling and word formation are accurate. - To reach Band 8/9, the writer could use more sophisticated synonyms for 'waste disposal' or 'amount' (e.g., 'refuse management', 'volume', 'tonnage').

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- A wide range of structures is used, including complex sentences and participial phrases ('accounting for approximately...'). - The majority of sentences are error-free. - Tense usage (past tense) is consistent and correct throughout the response. - Punctuation is well-managed, facilitating a smooth reading experience.

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