The tables show information about eaten and produced in five regions around the world in 2006. Overall, Europe consumed the most potatoes, while Africa consumed the least. Additionally, Asia produced the most potatoes, whereas South and Central America produced the least. In terms of potato consumption, Europe was the highest with 96.1 kilograms per person. North America was the second highest with 57.9 kilograms. Africa had the lowest consumption, at 14.1 kilograms per person. South and Central America and Asia had similar consumption rates, with South and Central America at 23.6 kilograms and Asia at 25.8 kilograms. Looking at potato production, Asia was the highest with 131.2 million tonnes. Europe was next with 126.3 million tonnes. South and Central America produced 15.6 million tonnes and Africa produced 16.4 million tonnes. North America produced 24.7 million tonnes, which was less compared to its high consumption.
Potato Consumption and Production by Region in 2006
The tables below provide information about the consumption and production of potatoes in five parts of the world in 2006.
Annotated response
2 correction notes
Overall assessment
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response reports the table values and gives a clear overview. However, its final comparison mixes total production with per-person consumption, so the claimed relationship is not established by the figures. Some phrasing is repetitive and list-like; valid comparisons between regions would make the report more informative.
IELTS criteria
How each score was decided
Task Achievement
7.0All ten figures and the main highest-and-lowest patterns are reported, but the final sentence compares North America’s total production with its per-person consumption. These measures have different units and cannot support a direct surplus or shortfall comparison. Comparisons within each measure would be more informative.
Coherence and Cohesion
7.0Information is organized logically into an overview, a consumption paragraph, and a production paragraph with clear linking devices, though the progression within paragraphs is somewhat mechanical and list-like.
Lexical Resource
6.5Vocabulary is adequate for the task with appropriate terms such as consumption, production, and per person, but it shows noticeable repetition of phrases like was the highest and kilograms per person with limited flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
7.0A range of sentence structures, including comparative clauses and a which-relative clause, is used accurately with only minor errors such as how much potatoes were eaten.