Band 9: The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water consumption in two different countries. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The graph illustrates global water usage in three sectors—agriculture, industrial, and domestic—from 1900 to 2000.

Overall, water consumption increased significantly in all three sectors over the century, with agriculture consistently being the largest consumer. Meanwhile, industrial and domestic use rose steadily but remained far lower compared to agricultural usage.

In 1900, water consumption for agriculture was approximately 500 Km³, while industrial and domestic uses were negligible, just slightly above zero. This pattern persisted until around 1940, when industrial water usage began to rise more sharply. From 1950 onwards, industrial consumption increased rapidly, reaching nearly 1,000 Km³ by 2000. Domestic water use also showed a gradual but steady growth, peaking at around 300 Km³ by the end of the period.

In comparison, agricultural water usage rose exponentially throughout the century. By 2000, it had reached over 3,000 Km³, far exceeding the other two sectors. This sharp increase highlights the dominant role of agriculture in global water consumption.

In summary, agricultural water use was consistently the highest, while industrial and domestic sectors experienced gradual but significant growth, particularly in the latter half of the century.