Global Water Distribution and Its Usage in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Canada
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Combination Pie Charts and Column GraphIELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The charts below give information about the amount and types of water in the world, and also tell the use of water in three areas in three countries. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Common Questions for the Chart
1. Graph Type: Pie Charts and Column Graph
2. Title: Global Water Distribution and Its Usage in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Canada
3. What are the units of measurement?: Percentage
4. Who: The global population and specific countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Canada)
5. What does the chart depict?: The quantity and types of water in the world, along with the usage of fresh water in three countries
6. When: Data not specified but generally represents recent statistics
7. Where: Worldwide and in three specific countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Canada)
8. Topic: Water distribution and consumption
Main Features and Trends General Observations:
Comparison 1: Global Water Distribution
- Details:
1. The first pie chart highlights that a staggering 97.5% of the world’s water is saline, leaving only 2.5% as fresh water. This emphasizes the scarcity of fresh water globally.
Comparison 2: Types of Fresh Water
- Details:
1. The second pie chart reveals that more than two-thirds (69.8%) of fresh water is locked in glaciers and permanent snow, while just under one-third (29.9%) exists as fresh underground water. A negligible fraction (0.3%) represents renewable fresh water, illustrating the limited availability for direct human use.
Comparison 3: Water Usage in Different Countries
- Details:
1.The column graph shows that both Egypt and Saudi Arabia primarily use fresh water for agriculture, with 40% and 50% of their water used respectively. In contrast, Canada has a different pattern, with the largest share (47%) allocated to industrial use, followed by 30% for agriculture and 18% for domestic purposes.
Sample Answer
The provided pie charts illustrate the distribution of water types globally, while the accompanying column graph presents the allocation of freshwater usage in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.
The first pie chart shows that a predominant 97.5% of the world’s water is saline, leaving only a mere 2.5% as fresh water. The second pie chart breaks down the fresh water, revealing that over two-thirds (69.8%) is found in glaciers and permanent snow, with fresh underground water making up nearly one-third (29.9%). A tiny fraction (0.3%) is renewable freshwater, underscoring its scarcity.
Examining the column graph, both Egypt and Saudi Arabia utilize a significant proportion of their fresh water for agriculture, with 40% and 50%, respectively. In contrast, Canada allocates the largest share (47%) of its fresh water for industrial use, with 30% for agriculture and 18% for domestic purposes.
Overall, these charts highlight the critical scarcity of fresh water, with only a small fraction being available for various uses across different countries.
Top 29 Vocabularies
Vocabulary | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Saline | Containing or having the characteristics of salt | Briny, salty | “97.5% of the world’s water is saline.” | Adjective |
Scarcity | The state of being in short supply, rarity | Shortage, lack | “Freshwater scarcity is a global concern.” | Noun |
Allocation | The action of distributing something for a specific purpose | Distribution, apportionment | “Water allocation varies between countries.” | Noun |
Glacier | A large mass of ice that moves slowly over land | Ice cap, icefield | “Most of the world’s freshwater is found in glaciers.” | Noun |
Domestic | Relating to the running of a home or to family life | Household, family | “18% of Canada’s water is used for domestic purposes.” | Adjective |
Illustrate | To explain or make clear using examples or visuals | Depict, Represent | “The pie charts illustrate the distribution of water types globally.” | Verb |
Predominant | Being the most noticeable or largest in amount | Main, Dominant | “Saline water is the predominant type globally.” | Adjective |
Fraction | A small part or portion of something | Segment, Part | “Only a tiny fraction of water is renewable freshwater.” | Noun |
Renewable | Capable of being replenished or restored | Sustainable, Replenishable | “Renewable freshwater accounts for just 0.3% of global water.” | Adjective |
Underscore | To emphasize the importance of something | Highlight, Stress | “The data underscores the scarcity of freshwater.” | Verb |
Distribution | The way in which something is shared or spread | Allocation, Spread | “The distribution of freshwater varies greatly by source.” | Noun |
Proportion | A part, share, or number in relation to a whole | Percentage, Ratio | “A large proportion of freshwater is locked in glaciers.” | Noun |
Accompanying | Occurring along with or in addition to | Related, Supplementary | “The accompanying graph shows water usage by country.” | Adjective |
Utilize | To make practical use of something | Use, Employ | “Egypt and Saudi Arabia utilize water predominantly for agriculture.” | Verb |
Scarce | Limited or hard to obtain | Rare, Insufficient | “Freshwater is a scarce resource globally.” | Adjective |
Allocation | The action of dividing and assigning resources | Assignment, Distribution | “Freshwater allocation differs among regions.” | Noun |
Examine | To look at or study something carefully | Analyze, Inspect | “The column graph examines freshwater usage by sector.” | Verb |
Significant | Sufficiently important or large enough to notice | Substantial, Major | “Significant amounts of freshwater are used for agriculture.” | Adjective |
Critical | Extremely important or vital | Essential, Crucial | “Freshwater scarcity is a critical issue worldwide.” | Adjective |
Sector | A specific area of activity, especially economic | Division, Category | “Water use varies significantly by sector across countries.” | Noun |
Allocate | To assign resources for a specific purpose | Apportion, Distribute | “Countries allocate water differently based on their needs.” | Verb |
Contrast | To compare in a way that highlights differences | Differ, Compare | “The graph contrasts water usage in three countries.” | Verb/Noun |
Predicted | Expected to happen based on current knowledge | Forecasted, Projected | “Water scarcity is predicted to worsen in the coming decades.” | Adjective/Verb |
Consumption | The act of using up a resource | Use, Utilization | “Water consumption for industrial purposes is highest in Canada.” | Noun |
Percentage | A portion of 100 | Fraction, Proportion | “A small percentage of freshwater is used for domestic purposes.” | Noun |
Global | Relating to the entire world | Worldwide, Universal | “Global water resources are unevenly distributed.” | Adjective |
Availability | The state of being able to be used or accessed | Accessibility, Supply | “Freshwater availability is limited in some regions.” | Noun |
Sectoral | Relating to a specific economic or activity sector | Divisional, Regional | “Sectoral water use varies in Egypt and Canada.” | Adjective |
Prominent | Easily noticeable or important | Noticeable, Leading | “Agriculture remains a prominent use of freshwater in Egypt.” | Adjective |
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