Writing Task 1 (Academic Test)

The line chart provides information on how much energy per capita was used in five countries between 1971 and 2013. In general, the energy usage per person varied greatly between countries and in most countries did not change dramatically during this period.

The amount of energy used on average by a U.S. citizen in 1971 was several times greater than the amount used by citizens of either Argentina, Thailand or Zimbabwe. At this time, the energy use in the US was around 7500 kg per person, while in Thailand it was approximately 300 kg. The energy use in the United States hardly changed over the next 40 years while the use in Thailand increased rapidly. By 2013 Thai citizens used around 2000kg, while in the U.S. it was closer to 7000kg.

In Denmark there was no significant change in energy use per person over this period, and likewise, energy use remained fairly constant in Zimbabwe, albeit at a much lower level. In Denmark a citizen on average used 3500 kg of oil equivalent, while in Zimbabwe this figure was closer to 1000kg. In Argentina there was a gradual increase in energy use during the 40 years, rising from around 1500 kg to 2000 kg. Only Thailand showed a significant rise in usage and by 2013 had overtaken Argentina to be, per capita, the third largest consumer of energy.