When preparing for IELTS Writing Task 1, in addition to common charts like bar charts, line graphs, and tables, the pie chart is another frequently tested format. So what exactly is a pie chart task and how can you score high on this question type Let's explore all the essential strategies below.
1. Types of Pie Charts in IELTS Writing Task 1
What is a Pie Chart
A pie chart is a circular diagram divided into sectors, each representing a proportion of the total. Each sector is often color-coded or labeled and typically shows data as a percentage for a specific category.
Pie charts are used to compare proportions of different subjects either at a single point in time or across multiple time periods.
Common Types of Pie Charts:
Dynamic pie chart: Shows data that changes over time. These tasks usually include two or more charts, each for a different year.
Static pie chart: Shows one chart with data from a single point in time. No time comparison is required.
2. How to Write IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart – Dynamic Type
In this task, you are given two or more pie charts to compare changes over time. You must analyze both the differences between categories and how those categories change over the years.
Introduction
Start by paraphrasing the task using your own words. Use verbs such as:
illustrate, compare, highlight, show
Example: "The two pie charts illustrate how different industry sectors contributed to the economy of Turkey in the years 2000 and 2016."
Overview
The overview should mention major trends and notable features such as increases, decreases, largest and smallest categories, or elements that remained the same.
Example: "Overall, at the beginning of the period construction contributed the least to the economy of Turkey, while agriculture was the most significant sector. By the end of the period, healthcare and education became the largest contributor, while financial, business and other services made the lowest contribution."
Body Paragraphs
There are two ways to organize your body paragraphs:
Option 1: Group by year Compare all sectors in one year, then move to the other year.
Option 2: Group by category Discuss each category and how it changed between the years.
Writing tips:
Mention sectors that increased, decreased, or remained unchanged.
Highlight significant changes like doubling or tripling.
Use comparative language to express differences.
Example paragraph:
"Construction accounted for 3 percent of Turkey's economy in 2000 and increased more than threefold to 10 percent in 2016. Trade, utilities and transportation rose slightly from 14 percent to 16 percent. Manufacturing and financial services increased from 8 percent and 5 percent respectively to 12 percent and 8 percent in 2016."
"Agriculture dropped from 24 percent in 2000 to 14 percent in 2016. Government and leisure spending declined by 3 percent each. In contrast, healthcare and education remained stable at 17 percent throughout the period."
Conclusion
Use one of the following approaches:
Option 1: Summarize the overall trends (without using specific numbers).
Option 2: Predict what might happen in the future based on the data.
3. How to Write IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart – Static Type
This task includes a single pie chart showing data at one point in time. Follow the same structure as with dynamic charts.
Introduction
Paraphrase the task in your own words.
Example: "The pie chart shows the UAE government’s budget spending of 315 billion AED in different sectors in 2000."
Overview
Since there are no changes over time, focus on the most and least significant categories.
Example: "Overall, the UAE government spent the most on social security and healthcare, while the least was spent on transport, law and order, housing, industry, agriculture and employment."
Body Paragraphs
List categories from highest to lowest (or vice versa).
Group similar items if needed to improve flow.
Example body paragraph:
"The UAE allocated 100 billion AED to social security, making up nearly one-third of the total budget. Healthcare followed with 53 billion AED. Education received 38 billion, while both debt interest and other expenditures accounted for 23 billion each. Defence had 22 billion, housing and environment got 15 billion, and 13 billion was allocated to industry, employment, and agriculture. Transport received the least funding at just 9 billion AED."
Conclusion
You can:
Summarize general spending trends.
Offer predictions or implications if relevant.
4. Vocabulary and Sentence Structures for Pie Chart Descriptions
o score high in IELTS Writing Task 1, use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar structures. Here are some useful expressions to describe pie charts.
Fractions for Percentages
Convert percentages to fractions for variety.
Percentage | Fraction |
|---|---|
80% | four-fifths |
75% | three-quarters |
60% | three-fifths |
50% | half |
40% | two-fifths |
25% | a quarter |
20% | a fifth |
10% | one in ten |
Examples with approximations:
77% → just over three quarters
52% → approximately half
49% → nearly a half
32% → almost a third
19% → nearly a fifth
Describing Proportions
Percentage Range | Expression |
|---|---|
75% – 85% | a very large majority |
65% – 75% | a large proportion |
35% | a good proportion |
15% – 25% | a small number |
10% – 15% | a minority |
5% | a very small number |
Describing Chart Composition
account for / make up / constitute / contribute / comprise + percentage → "Healthcare accounted for 17 percent of the total."
take up the remaining X percent → "Other sectors took up the remaining 10 percent."
continue to be the major contributor → "Agriculture continued to be the major contributor."
will overtake X to become Y → "Education will overtake transport to become the second-largest sector."
Comparison Structures
The highest number of X was…
X was the least significant…
Brazil was the least attractive country…
There was a slight increase in X…
Twice as many X as Y…
Much more X than Y…
In comparison with X, Y declined…
Master the Pie Chart Question in IELTS Writing
By following the steps above, you can confidently approach both dynamic and static pie charts in IELTS Writing Task 1. Use this strategy to improve clarity, coherence, and grammar range in your writing.
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