The three different kinds of emission sources (oil / coal/ gas) of greenhouse gas in the UK

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Graph

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Question

The graph below shows the three different kinds of emission sources (oil / coal/ gas) of greenhouse gas in the UK. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for the Bar Graph

1. Graph Type: Bar Chart

2. Title: Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Source in the UK (1990–2010)

3. What are the units of measurement?: Million tons of greenhouse gas emissions

4. Who: Emission sources (gas, oil, coal) in the UK

5. When: 1990 to 2010

6. Where: United Kingdom

7. Topic: Changes in greenhouse gas emissions from three fossil fuels

Comparison Showing and Trends

Comparison 1: Gas Emissions

Details:

Emissions increased steadily from 220 million tons in 1990 to 320 million tons in 2010.

2.Became the dominant source of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010.

Comparison 2 : Coal Emissions

Details:

Declined significantly from 310 million tons in 1990 to 190 million tons by 2010.

2. The largest decrease among the three sources was shown.

Comparison 3 : Oil Emissions

Details:

1.Fluctuated between 1990 and 2000 but decreased slowly from 270 million tons in 2000 to 210 million tons in 2010.

Sample Answer

The bar chart illustrates the greenhouse gas emissions from three fossil fuel sources—gas, oil, and coal—in the UK over a two-decade period from 1990 to 2010.

Overall, the data reveals a significant shift in emission patterns, with gas overtaking coal and oil as the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 2010. Coal saw the most substantial decline during the period.

In 1990, coal was the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions at 310 million tons, followed by oil at 270 million tons and gas at 220 million tons. Over the years, gas emissions rose steadily, peaking at 320 million tons in 2010, making it the largest contributor by the end of the period.

Coal emissions, in contrast, decreased sharply, falling from 310 million tons in 1990 to 190 million tons in 2010. Emissions from oil showed fluctuations in the first decade but gradually declined after 2000, dropping from 270 million tons to 210 million tons by 2010.

Top 31 Vocabularies

Vocabulary	Type	Meaning	Synonyms	Examples
Emissions	Noun	Release of substances (e.g., gases) into the atmosphere	Discharge, Output	Greenhouse gas emissions from coal decreased sharply.
Fluctuate	Verb	To rise and fall irregularly	Vary, Oscillate	Emissions from oil fluctuated between 1990 and 2000.
Steadily	Adverb	At a constant rate or pace	Gradually, Continuously	Gas emissions rose steadily over the two decades.
Dominant	Adjective	Having the greatest influence or importance	Leading, Primary	Gas became the dominant source of emissions by 2010.
Decline	Noun/ Verb	A gradual reduction or decrease	Drop, Reduction	Coal emissions declined significantly over the period.
Emission	Noun	The release of gases or substances into the atmosphere	Discharge, Release, Output	“The emission of greenhouse gases has been rising steadily.”
Fossil Fuel	Noun	A natural fuel derived from the remains of living organisms	Hydrocarbon, Natural fuel	“Coal, oil, and gas are fossil fuels that contribute to emissions.”
Shift	Noun	A significant change or movement in a particular direction	Change, Adjustment, Transition	“There was a shift in the leading source of emissions.”
Substantial	Adjective	Considerable in quantity, size, or degree	Significant, Considerable, Major	“Coal saw a substantial decline in emissions.”
Peak	Verb	To reach the highest point or maximum level	Surge, Climb, Reach	“Gas emissions peaked in 2010.”
Decline	Verb	To decrease in amount, quality, or strength	Drop, Diminish, Decrease	“Emissions from coal declined significantly over the period.”
Contribute	Verb	To give or add something to a larger whole	Add, Provide, Supply	“Gas contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions by 2010.”
Gradually	Adverb	Slowly over a period of time	Steadily, Progressively	“Gas emissions increased gradually throughout the years.”
Fluctuation	Noun	Irregular rising and falling over time	Variability, Oscillation, Change	“Oil emissions experienced fluctuations in the first decade.”
Rate	Noun	The speed or frequency at which something occurs	Pace, Speed, Frequency	“The rate of emissions decreased for coal over the years.”
Source	Noun	A place, origin, or means from which something comes	Origin, Cause, Provider	“Gas became the largest source of emissions by 2010.”
Contribute	Verb	To help bring about or cause something	Aid, Assist, Help	“Gas was the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.”
Gradual	Adjective	Occurring slowly or over a long period of time	Progressive, Steady, Slow	“Emissions from oil gradually decreased after 2000.”
Fluctuating	Adjective	Changing irregularly, rising and falling	Varying, Unstable, Shifting	“The fluctuating emissions from oil were unpredictable.”
Significant	Adjective	Of great importance or consequence	Major, Notable, Considerable	“A significant decline in coal emissions occurred.”
Steep	Adjective	A sharp or dramatic increase or decrease	Sharp, Sudden, Dramatic	“There was a steep decline in coal emissions.”
Period	Noun	A length of time in which something happens	Interval, Span, Duration	“Over the period of 20 years, emissions saw changes.”
Overtake	Verb	To surpass in importance, amount, or speed	Surpass, Outpace, Eclipse	“Gas overtook coal as the leading source of emissions.”
Trend	Noun	A general direction in which something is developing	Pattern, Movement, Tendency	“There was a trend of declining emissions from coal.”
Stabilize	Verb	To make or become stable or steady	Balance, Secure, Equalize	“Gas emissions stabilized after peaking in 2010.”
Convergence	Noun	The process of coming together or merging	Union, Merging, Intersection	“The convergence of gas emissions with coal marks a shift.”
Decrease	Verb	To make or become smaller or less	Diminish, Lessen, Drop	“The decrease in coal emissions was substantial.”
Proportion	Noun	A part or portion of something	Share, Fraction, Percentage	“The proportion of gas emissions increased significantly.”
Volatility	Noun	The quality of being unstable or unpredictable	Instability, Fluctuation	“Oil emissions showed volatility in the early years.”
Contraction	Noun	A process of becoming smaller or more compact	Reduction, Shrinking	“There was a contraction in the volume of coal emissions.”
Increase	Verb	To become greater or larger	Grow, Rise, Amplify	“Gas emissions increased over the period.”

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