The graph below shows the percentage of river water in the UK that is of good chemical quality, in the period between 1990 and 2002.

Question:

The graph below shows the percentage of river water in the UK that is of good chemical quality, in the period between 1990 and 2002. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Band 9 Answer

The line graph illustrates the proportion of river water in the UK that met good chemical quality standards from 1990 to 2002 in four regions: Wales, Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland.

Overall, England consistently had the highest percentage of good-quality river water, while Scotland showed the lowest levels throughout the period. Wales and Northern Ireland experienced significant fluctuations.

In 1990, both England and Northern Ireland had the highest water quality, around 90%, while Wales and Scotland lagged behind at approximately 50% and 30%, respectively. England’s water quality remained relatively stable, hovering between 85% and 90% throughout the period.

In contrast, Northern Ireland initially saw an upward trend, peaking at around 95% in 1998 before experiencing a slight decline. Wales showed a significant increase, reaching around 70% by 1996, but then dropped sharply to approximately 40% in 2002. Scotland’s river water quality remained the lowest overall, showing fluctuations but never exceeding 50%.

In summary, England had the best river water quality throughout, while Scotland consistently remained the lowest. Other regions experienced notable fluctuations over time.

Vocabulary

• Illustrates
• Proportion
• Consistently
• Fluctuations
• Significant
• Hovering
• Peaking
• Lagged behind
• Sharp decline
• Notable

Band 8 Answer

The line graph presents the percentage of river water in the UK that was classified as having good chemical quality between 1990 and 2002 for four regions: Wales, Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland.

Overall, England had the highest quality river water, while Scotland remained the lowest. The other two regions showed noticeable fluctuations.

In 1990, England and Northern Ireland had the best water quality, close to 90%, whereas Wales and Scotland were lower, at around 50% and 30%, respectively. England remained steady throughout the period, while Northern Ireland initially rose but later declined slightly.

Wales experienced an increase until 1996 but then dropped sharply. Scotland showed an irregular pattern, remaining the lowest in quality.

Overall, England had consistently good river water, while Scotland remained poor, and the other two regions varied over time.

Vocabulary

• Presents
• Classified
• Noticeable
• Steady
• Initially
• Irregular
• Varied
• Declined
• Remained
• Fluctuated

Band-7 Answer

The line graph shows the percentage of river water in the UK that was considered good quality from 1990 to 2002 in four areas: Wales, Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland.

Overall, England had the highest percentage of good-quality river water, while Scotland had the lowest. The other two regions saw rises and falls over time.

In 1990, England and Northern Ireland had the best water quality, while Wales and Scotland were much lower. England remained stable, while Northern Ireland improved at first but later dropped slightly.

Wales improved until 1996 but then saw a major decline. Scotland remained the worst, with frequent ups and downs.

Overall, England had the best river water quality, while Scotland had the lowest, and the others changed a lot.

Vocabulary

• Shows
• Considered
• Highest
• Lowest
• Rises
• Falls
• Stable
• Major decline
• Worst
• Frequent

Band-6 Answer

The graph shows the percentage of river water that was good quality in different parts of the UK from 1990 to 2002.

England had the highest percentage, while Scotland had the lowest. The other regions had different changes.

At first, England and Northern Ireland had the best water quality, but Northern Ireland changed over time. Wales improved but later dropped. Scotland stayed the lowest with ups and downs.

Overall, England stayed the best, Scotland the worst, and the others changed over time.

Vocabulary

• Graph
• Shows
• Best
• Worst
• Changed
• Improved
• Dropped
• Stayed
• Ups
• Downs

Connectors Used

• Overall
• Whereas
• While
• However
• In contrast
• Throughout
• At first
• Later
• Until
• After