IELTS Writing Task 1: Pie chart
Describe an IELTS Task 1 pie chart by identifying the overall pattern first, then reporting the largest and smallest segments with their percentages. Group related categories together, use comparative language to link segments, and support every statement with figures from the chart rather than listing every value in isolation.
Sample task
The pie charts below show the proportion of household waste generated by type in a European city in 2005 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
The data
Proportion of household waste by type in a European city, 2005 and 2020 (%)
| Waste type | 2005 (%) | 2020 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Food waste | 35 | 28 |
| Paper and cardboard | 25 | 20 |
| Plastic | 15 | 24 |
| Glass | 12 | 10 |
| Textiles and other | 13 | 18 |
How to structure a pie chart answer
- 1Paragraph 1: paraphrase the title, stating what the two pie charts show, the city, the years and the unit (percentage of household waste).
- 2Paragraph 2 (overview): give two or three sentences on the most significant overall changes, such as which category fell most and which rose most, without quoting every figure.
- 3Paragraph 3: describe the largest categories (food waste, paper and cardboard) in both years, comparing their shares and the direction of change.
- 4Paragraph 4: describe the remaining categories (plastic, glass, textiles and other), highlighting the sharp rise in plastic and any other notable comparisons.
Band 9 sample answer
196 wordsThe two pie charts compare the composition of household waste in a European city in 2005 and 2020, broken down into five categories measured as a percentage of the total.
Overall, food waste and paper and cardboard remained the two largest components of household waste throughout the period, although their combined share fell. The most striking change was the rise in plastic waste, while glass consistently made up the smallest proportion of the total in both years.
In 2005, food waste accounted for the largest share of household waste at 35%, followed by paper and cardboard at 25%; together these two categories made up 60% of the total. By 2020, however, food waste had dropped to 28% and paper and cardboard to 20%, so their combined proportion fell to 48%, a decrease of 12 percentage points overall.
Plastic waste rose sharply from 15% to 24%, making it the second largest category by 2020 and the only type of waste to increase by close to ten percentage points. Textiles and other waste also grew, from 13% to 18%, whereas glass declined slightly from 12% to 10%, remaining the smallest category in both years. In summary, the city's waste profile shifted from being dominated by food and paper towards a greater share of plastic and textile waste.
Why this scores Band 9
- Every figure in the answer matches the invented table exactly, including all five categories for both years.
- A clear overview highlights the two most important trends, the rise in plastic and the decline in food and paper combined, without listing every statistic.
- Comparative and change language such as fell, rose sharply and combined proportion is used accurately to link data points rather than describing each figure in isolation.
- Paragraphing is logical, moving from the largest categories to the smaller ones, and the word count and structure meet Band 9 task achievement requirements.
Useful language for a pie chart
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| accounted for the largest/smallest share of | Introducing the biggest or smallest segment in a pie chart |
| made up X% of the total | Stating a category's proportion clearly |
| rose/fell by X percentage points | Describing the change in a segment's share between two pie charts |
| combined, these categories represented... | Grouping two or more segments together for a summary statement |
| a slight/sharp increase or decrease in | Qualifying the size of a change between the two charts |
| remained the smallest/largest category | Highlighting a segment whose ranking did not change over time |
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Describing every percentage in a flat list without comparing categories or years, e.g. 'Food waste was 35%. Paper was 25%. Plastic was 15%.'
Correct: Group and compare: 'Food waste and paper together made up 60% in 2005, falling to 48% by 2020 as plastic's share grew.'
Incorrect: Confusing percentage points with percentages, e.g. 'plastic increased by 60%' when it actually rose from 15% to 24%.
Correct: Say 'plastic increased by 9 percentage points, from 15% to 24%' to avoid ambiguity.
Incorrect: Adding opinions or reasons not shown in the chart, such as explaining why plastic waste increased due to online shopping.
Correct: Stick to describing the data itself: 'Plastic waste rose from 15% to 24% between 2005 and 2020,' without speculating on causes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write an overview for two pie charts?
Identify the one or two biggest changes between the charts, such as which category grew most and which shrank most, and mention any category that stayed largest or smallest throughout, without quoting exact figures.
Should I describe every single percentage in the pie charts?
No, mention the key figures needed to support your main comparisons, but group minor or similar categories together rather than listing every number in a separate sentence.
How many paragraphs should a pie chart answer have?
Four paragraphs work well: an introduction paraphrasing the prompt, an overview of the main trends, and two body paragraphs grouping related categories to cover all the data logically.
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