IELTS Writing Task 1: Pie Charts
This task tests whether you can accurately describe proportions shown in one or more pie charts, identify the key trends, and compare data clearly using precise percentage language.
What this question looks like
An IELTS pie chart question gives you one, two, or occasionally three pie charts, each divided into labelled segments representing percentages of a whole (such as household spending, energy sources, or population groups). You must write a 150+ word report in 20 minutes that describes the data objectively, without giving opinions or explaining causes. When two pie charts are given, you're expected to compare them, not just describe each one separately.
Step-by-step approach
- 1Spend 1-2 minutes identifying what the pie chart(s) show: is it one pie chart or two (for comparison), what does each slice represent, and what unit is used (percentage is almost always the unit for pie charts).
- 2Rank the segments mentally from largest to smallest before you write anything. This ordering becomes the backbone of your report, since IELTS Task 1 rewards clear organisation over covering every single number.
- 3Write an introduction that paraphrases the question (do not copy it word for word), then an overview paragraph stating the two or three most striking features (the largest category, the smallest, or the biggest change between two pie charts) without giving exact figures yet.
- 4In the body paragraphs, group similar-sized segments together (e.g. 'the three smallest categories') rather than listing every slice in the order given, and use precise percentage language ('accounted for', 'made up', 'represented') plus comparative language for two-chart questions.
- 5Check your total: percentages in a single pie chart must add up to 100%, so if your reported figures don't sum correctly you have misread the chart.
- 6Finish by proofreading for a mix of sentence structures and correct singular/plural agreement (e.g. 'a quarter of the total was' not 'were').
Worked example
The pie charts below show the proportion of household waste recycled in a small town 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 two pie charts compare the percentage breakdown of recycled household waste by material in a small town in 2005 and 2020. Overall, paper and card remained the largest category of recycled waste in both years, while the proportion of plastic recycled rose sharply and glass recycling fell as a share of the total. In 2005, paper and card made up almost half of all recycled waste, at 48%. Glass was the second-largest category, accounting for 27%, followed by metal at 15%. Plastic represented only a small fraction of recycling at that time, just 6%, with 'other materials' making up the remaining 4%. By 2020, the picture had changed considerably. Although paper and card still led the categories, its share had dropped slightly to 40%. Plastic recycling increased more than threefold to reach 22% of the total, overtaking metal, which fell marginally to 13%. Glass recycling more than halved in proportion, dropping to just 12%, while the 'other' category grew to 13%, nearly matching metal. In summary, while paper and card consistently dominated household recycling across both years, the sharpest shift was the growing share of plastic at the expense of glass.
The answer opens with a paraphrase, gives a two-point overview naming the clearest trends (dominance of paper, plastic up/glass down), then reports specific figures grouped logically rather than slice-by-slice in chart order. It uses comparative language ('overtaking', 'more than halved', 'threefold') because there are two charts to contrast, and every percentage in each chart sums to 100%, confirming accurate reading of the data.
Try it yourself
Write a full Task 1 report of at least 150 words. Give yourself 20 minutes, as you would in the real test.
The pie charts below show the sources of electricity generation in a country in 2000 and in 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. (2000: Coal 55%, Gas 20%, Hydropower 15%, Nuclear 6%, Renewables (wind/solar) 4%) (2020: Coal 25%, Gas 22%, Hydropower 14%, Nuclear 8%, Renewables (wind/solar) 31%)
Common mistakes
- !Describing every single slice in the exact order given in the chart, including minor ones, instead of grouping similar figures and prioritising the largest/most notable changes.
- !Writing an overview that repeats specific numbers rather than stating general patterns; the overview should highlight standout features (largest, smallest, biggest shift), with exact figures saved for the body paragraphs.
- !Treating two pie charts as two separate, unrelated descriptions instead of directly comparing them (e.g. failing to say how a category changed from one chart to the other).
- !Confusing percentage change with percentage point change, e.g. saying a rise from 20% to 30% is a '10% increase' when it is actually a 10 percentage point increase (a 50% relative increase).
- !Adding personal opinions or speculating about causes ('this is because governments invested more'), which is not required and can hurt Task Achievement since Task 1 asks only to describe, not explain.
Quick quiz
1. In a single pie chart question, what must be true about the percentages you report for each segment?
2. When a Task 1 question gives two pie charts from different years, what should your body paragraphs primarily do?
3. Which sentence correctly uses percentage point language rather than confusing it with percentage change?
4. What is the main purpose of the overview paragraph in a pie chart report?
Practise this in a real IELTS test
Take a free Writing test with expert evaluation and apply the technique under exam conditions.
Take a free Writing testIELTS Writing Task 1: Pie Charts — FAQ
How many pie charts can appear in an IELTS Writing Task 1, and does the approach change?
You may see a single pie chart, two pie charts (often comparing two time periods or two places), or occasionally three. The core approach stays the same: identify the largest and smallest segments, group similar data, and write an overview, but with two or three charts you must also add direct comparisons and change language between them.
Do I need to mention every category shown in the pie chart?
No, and trying to do so often produces a cluttered, low-scoring report. Focus on the most significant segments (largest, smallest, and anything with a notable difference between charts), and it's fine to group smaller or similar categories together in one sentence, for example 'the remaining three categories each accounted for less than 10%'.
What percentage-related vocabulary should I use besides 'percent'?
Useful alternatives include 'a quarter/third/fifth of', 'just under/over half', 'the majority', 'a minority', 'accounted for', 'made up', and 'represented'. Varying this vocabulary, along with precise comparison language like 'more than double' or 'a marginal increase', directly improves your Lexical Resource score.