IELTS Writing Task 1: Pie Charts Guide

• For the IELTS Academic Writing, you are given either a graph, chart, table, or diagram, and you need to interpret, describe, and explain the information given. 
• On the other hand, the IELTS General Writing requires you to compose a letter in response to a given situation.
• Both tasks need you to have at least 150 words. 
• You are advised to spend 20 minutes at most finishing this task because the IELTS Writing Task 2 has more weight. 

• Title: The title gives a quick summary of what is in your pie chart. This makes it easier for the readers to figure out what they are about to look at. It is not an issue if it is creative or simple as long as it explains the chart. 

• Legend: The legend explains what each slice stands for. It aids the reader in understanding what they are looking at. 

• Source: The source specifies where you obtained the data in your graph. It is critical to acknowledge those who gathered your data. 

• Data: The information, or data, that your chart contains is the most significant component of it. Data is shown in pie charts as part of a 100-point scale (a percentage). Each slice represents a unique piece of information.

• Examine the pie charts and make a plan of what you will write: This is probably the most important stage in the IELTS Writing Test because what you plan will dictate the flow of your writing. Keep in mind that you need to analyze the IELTS pie charts carefully. Study the given details before planning on what to write. 

• Compare the main features to each other: The IELTS pie chart is meant to compare and contrast the given information. These comparisons will aid you in developing a strategy for the body of your IELTS Writing Task 1. Remember that you should not state your opinions and that you are only asked to examine, describe and explain the data given. 

• Select the data for the overview statement: The next step is to consider what information should be included in the Overview statement. Remember that an ‘Overview Statement’ summarizes what you believe is the most important information to know about the pie chart. 

• Write the overview paragraph: The last step is to write your response in the IELTS Academic Writing pie chart task. The first paragraph, the ‘overview paragraph,’ must be written first. Remember two tips when writing your response. First, you need to paraphrase the task, and second, have your overview statement followed by supporting and relevant details. 

Example:

Step 1 — Analyze the question

Every IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 question has the same format. Here’s another version of our practice question, this time with the words that will appear in all of the questions highlighted.

Step 2 — Identify the Main Features 

In the IELTS Academic Writing pie chart tasks, the graphic should be simple to understand. Each question is designed to assess your language skills rather than your numerical skills.

Percentages or proportions are always shown in pie charts. Apart from that, they are similar to bar charts and line graphs in that they’re a visual representation of data.

The pie chart demonstrates two distinct ways of getting to work and the reasons why people pick these modes of transportation.

These IELTS pie charts have two essential features:

1st main feature: "The majority of cyclists do it for the sake of their health and the environment." 

2nd main feature: "Most people who drive do so because it is convenient."

Step 3 — Write the Introduction

Simply paraphrase the question in the introduction. Express similar sentences differently. This can be accomplished by employing synonyms and altering the phrase structure. 

Example

Introduction (1st Paragraph): 

By proportion, the two pie charts show the main reasons why people prefer to cycle or drive to work.

For the introduction, this is all you need to write.

Step 4 — Write an Overview

The primary elements shown in the pie charts should be reported in the second paragraph, with just broad information provided. The essay’s detail comes later. You should also make any obvious comparisons you notice.

Example:

1st Main Feature:

 "The majority of cyclists do it for the sake of their health and the environment."

2nd Main Feature: 

"The majority of people who drive do so because it is convenient."

3rd Main Feature: 

"A nearly equal proportion of respondents believe that their preferred approach is the fastest."

Overview (2nd Paragraph):

"Most people who prefer to cycle to work do so for health and environmental reasons. In contrast, the primary benefit of driving to work is perceived to be the convenience of traveling by car. Notably, the fastest approach is chosen by about an equal number of persons."

Step 5 — Write the First-detail Paragraph

More specific information regarding the data in the image should be included in paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS Academic Writing pie chart essay.

In paragraph 3, you should support your first essential characteristic with proof. Remember to make comparisons when appropriate.

Example:

1st Main Feature: 

"Cycling is done by most people for health and environmental reasons."

3rd Paragraph:

"Over half of all persons who choose to travel by bike cite health and fitness and fewer pollution as reasons. Each account for 30% of the total, which is more than double the next most prevalent reason, a lack of parking, at 15%."

Step 6 — Write the Second-detail Paragraph

You repeat the process for your second significant characteristic in the fourth and final paragraph. If you need to add a third primary feature to complete the essay nicely, do so. 

Example:

2nd Main Feature: 

"The majority of people who drive do so because it is convenient."

3rd Main Feature: 

"A nearly equal proportion of respondents believe that their preferred approach is the fastest."

4th Paragraph:

"Those who opt to commute by automobile deal with a distinct set of issues. By far, the most important feature, comfort, is cited by 40% of respondents, yet the distance to work is cited by slightly over a fifth of drivers. A shorter journey time is important to 14 percent of people, compared to 12 percent of bikers who believe their mode of transportation to be speedier."

Because the question does not specify a time range, you can use either the present simple tense or the past simple tense. The present simple tense was used. Remember to be consistent with your tenses throughout your essay, regardless of which one you chose.

Sample — Complete IELTS Academic Writing Pie Chart Essay: 

"By proportion, the two pie charts show the main reasons why people prefer to cycle or drive to work.

Most people who cycle to work do so for health and environmental reasons. In contrast, the primary benefit of driving to work is perceived to be the convenience of traveling by car. Notably, the fastest approach is chosen by about an equal number of persons.

Over half of all persons who choose to travel by bike cite health and fitness and fewer pollution as reasons. Each account for 30% of the total, which is more than double the next most prevalent reason, a lack of parking, at 15%.

Those who opt to commute by automobile have to deal with a distinct set of issues. By far, the most important feature, comfort, is cited by 40% of respondents, yet the distance to work is cited by slightly over a fifth of drivers. A shorter journey time is important to 14 percent of people, compared to 12 percent of bikers who believe their mode of transportation to be speedier."

180 Words

To obtain a high mark in the IELTS Academic Writing pie chart task, you should bear in mind the following:

• Be consistent with the verb tenses: This means that if the pie chart image is in the present, your explanation should also be in the present tense. If your chart reflects the past, the explanation must be in the past tense.

• Meet the minimum number of words required: Write at least 150 words. Otherwise, it can be rejected. To avoid being rejected, make sure your answer is at least 155-190 words long while writing the explanation.

• Have a clear comparison of the data: Comparing two graphs is frequently easier than creating an explanation for a single graph. Because of this, you need to pay close attention to every aspect to develop excellent ideas to write about the chart.

• Do not deviate from the given topic: The answer you write must correspond to the chart exactly. When composing the explanation, you must exercise considerable caution. So, before you start writing on the chart, have a good look at it.

• Make it easier to read: When writing an IELTS Academic Writing pie chart task, organize material logically to make it easier to follow and read. Rather than writing about each chart independently, the most natural thing to do with an IELTS pie chart is to compare categories across charts, concentrating on similarities and contrasts.

Accomplishing an IELTS Academic Writing pie chart task is not as easy as it seems.

It entails a lot of preparation, and that is why you are advised to consider the following when you practice for the IELTS Academic Writing pie chart task.

Here are some of the words and phrases that will help you accomplish the IELTS Academic Writing pie chart task. 

Band 7

Sample Response: 

"The two pie charts represent the findings of a survey of boys' and girls' cultural and recreational activities.

Overall, both sexes enjoyed listening to music equally, while girls enjoyed reading significantly more than boys. There were also a lot of variances in the kids' favorite sports.

When we look at the first graph, we can see that guys prefer to play computer games (34 percent) above other activities. Basketball is the second most popular pastime, with over a third of male children participating. Basketball is followed by soccer, which is played by 17% of the population. Skateboarding and listening to music are the least popular pastimes among guys, with 11 percent and 10% choosing them, respectively. Only 2% of males participate in reading, the least popular cultural activity.

If you take a closer look at graph number 2, dancing is the most popular pastime among girls, accounting for 27% of the total. Reading is preferred by more than a fifth of all girls, in contrast to the boys' preferences. Despite the fact that the number of female youngsters who play computer games is nearly half that of males (16%), it is the third most popular activity among girls. The only difference between computer games and netball is that the latter is played at a 15% rate. Gymnastics is popular among girls in the same way that skateboarding is popular among boys. Listening to music is the least popular pastime, with a percentage of 10%, which is the same as those on the first chart. "

Our Feedback on the Above Essay:

The essay was able to cover the task’s requirements. The major features/bullet points are clearly presented and highlighted, although there is room for improvement. 

The facts and ideas are rationally organized, and there is a clear trend throughout. It makes adequate use of various cohesive devices, while there may be some under-/over-use. It employs a wide range of complicated structures. 

There were some occasional grammatical, spelling, and word-formation mistakes. 

Band 8

Sample Response:

"From 1966 to 1996, the pie charts given compare the expenses of US citizens in seven groups in two different years. The percentages are used to calibrate the data.

Overall, expenditures on vehicles, restaurants, and computers showed an upward trend, but expenditures on the remaining categories decreased.

Food and automobiles accounted for the majority of American residents' spending. On the other hand, Computers and books had the lowest percentages in the chart in 1966 and 1996, respectively. In 1996, however, the percentage of people who drive a car nearly doubled to 45 percent. On the other hand, food spending plummeted from 44 percent in 1966 to only 14 percent in 1996.

The most dramatic change was witnessed in the computer industry, which went from 1% in 1966 to 10% in 1996. The percentage of Americans who spend money in restaurants has doubled since 1966, from 7% to 14% in 1996. The purchase of books, on the other hand, has decreased significantly. Surprisingly, the ratio of petrol to furniture did not alter significantly over time"

Our Feedback on the Above Essay: 

It sufficiently meets all of the task's requirements. It effectively and appropriately presents, accentuates, and demonstrates major features/ bullet points. 

Furthermore, it logically sequences information and ideas, and effectively manages all elements of cohesion. It also utilizes paragraphing adequately and acceptably. 

Diverse vocabulary is used to convey exact concepts fluently and flexibly. There were only very few errors in spelling and word formation.

Sample Response:

"In general, the two pie charts illustrate that smartphones and tablets are used for similar purposes, but to varying degrees.

The first pie chart depicts how people spend their time on smartphones, while the second chart depicts how people spend their time on tablets. Games are the most popular usage for both sorts of devices, but the numbers vary significantly. Playing games takes up 57 percent of time spent on a tablet, but just 35 percent of time spent on a smartphone. On the other hand, smartphone users spend 29 percent of their time on their devices accessing social networking sites, compared to only 15 percent of tablet users.

Users spend 13 percent of their tablet time watching videos and listening to music. It is the third most prevalent use of the table. On the other hand, smartphone users spend only 8% of their time on their phones on entertainment, preferring to spend 20% of their time on their phones on utilities. Maps, weather information, and calculators are examples of these.

There is a distinct distinction in how individuals use their cellphones and tablets. While tablets are more commonly used for gaming and other forms of enjoyment, smartphones appear to be the preferred device for tasks and communication with the outside world."

212 Words