The graph shows oil production capacity for several Gulf countries between 1990 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words

Task 1 plan:

• Introduction: paraphrase task heading
• summary paragraph – 2 major features
  • oil production generally increased
  • highest production in Saudi Arabia, lowest in Qatar
• describe figures for Saudi Arabia and contrast with Qatar
• compare the figures for the other 4 countries.

Model sample:

The bar chart illustrates the estimated amount of oil produced in 6 countries between 1990 and 2010, measured in millions of barrels per day.

Overall, oil production capacity tended to increase during these 20 years. The figures for Saudi Arabia were significantly higher than in other countries, while production was lowest in Qatar.

From 1990 to 2010, there was a significant increase in oil production in Saudi Arabia. In 1990, just over 8 million barrels per day were produced, and this rose steadily, reaching a peak of over 14 million barrels per day in 2010. In contrast, the smallest producer was Qatar. Despite a slight increase in 2000, production in Qatar remained relatively stable at less than 1 million barrels per day.

The other countries saw a slight rise in oil production over the period. The estimated figure for Iran in 1990 was over 3 million barrels per day, compared with around 2 million barrels in the other three countries. Although production did not increase in 2000 in the UAE, the amount of oil produced peaked in 2010 in Iran at over 4 million barrels and almost 4 million barrels in Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE.

(196 words)