Recycled · 2026More recent exam questions
The chart below shows the percentage of different types of household waste that were recycled in one city between 1992 and 2002.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
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From essays on this question
WhyThis is aBar chart — it asks you to compare the most important categories.
SoWe split the points intoOverview(the biggest differences or patterns)andKey features(figures and comparisons worth reporting).
Overall, the recycling rates of all materials increased, except for cans.
Also evident is that glass together with paper registered higher recycling rates compared to other materials during almost the entire surveyed period except 1992 when cans took the leading position.
In 1992, cans accounted for the largest portion of recycled waste, with approximately 18% being converted into new materials and objects.
In contrast, the percentage of cans recycled dropped considerably to 13% in 1997 but recovered slightly to around 15% by 2002.
Thereafter, the proportion of recycled glass rose more than threefold, reaching a peak of nearly 50%, making it the most recycled material in 2002.
Similar changes can be seen in the recycling rate of paper, which surged by over 20%, ending the period at nearly 40%.
Although plastic registered an increase to 12% in the recycling rate in 2002, it remained the least recycled material throughout the decade.
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Answer · 173 words · 4 paragraphs · 8 comments
From essays on this question
Overall, the recycling rates of all materials increased, except for cans.
Although plastic registered an increase to 12% in the recycling rate in 2002, it remained the least recycled material throughout the decade.
From essays on this question
Thereafter, the proportion of recycled glass rose more than threefold, reaching a peak of nearly 50%, making it the most recycled material in 2002.
In contrast, the percentage of cans recycled dropped considerably to 13% in 1997 but recovered slightly to around 15% by 2002.
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