Chart:

WRITING TASK 1 – Model Answer 

The chart shows the percentages of paper and cardboard, glass containers, aluminium cans and plastics that were recycled in one country between 1982 and 2010. [Clearly states what the summary is about/what the chart showed]

In 1982, about 65% of paper and cardboard was recycled. This figure fluctuated before rising steeply to reach a peak of 80% in 1994. From then on, however, it decreased steadily to a level of 70% in 2010. In 1982, half of all glass containers were recycled; after dipping to a low of 40% in 1990, the glass recycling rate gradually increased to 60% by 2010. [groups togethere the two categories that started iff in the same year, 1982]

Aluminium cans were first recycled in 1986, starting at about 5%, but this figure climbed rapidly over 25 years and by 2010 it had reached 45%. Recycling of plastics, on the other hand, was not introduced until 1990 and, although the growth in this category was also constant, it was very slow, rising from about 2% to around 8% over the period. [groups together the othre two categories, which started off later than 1892]

Overall, the proportion of paper and cardboard that was recycled was the highest of the four classes of material, but this category experienced a decline after 1994, whereas there was a continuing upward trend in the recycling of the other materials. [summarizes the fluctuations of the four elements]