Pie chart in IELTS is one of the major question types in IELTS academic writing task 1 that are asked frequently. You are expected to write a response describing the given Pie chart.
Moreover, you are expected to write a report in a minimum of 150 words in 20 minutes . To score band 8 and more, it is essential to examine the question well and find out key features that can be written.
IELTS task 1 Pie charts are the best way to organize data in order to see the size of components relative to the whole, and especially at showing percentage or proportional data.
Now, let’s see what we are going to cover in this article.
- What is the IELTS Pie Chart?
- How to describe a Pie chart in IELTS?
- Strategies to Score High in IELTS task 1 Pie chart
- Tips for describing Pie chart in IELTS Writing Task 1
- Sample IELTS Pie chart with answer
- FAQs about Pie chart in IELTS
What is the IELTS Pie Chart?
Pie Chart in IELTS is a type of graph in which a circle is divided into sectors representing a proportion of the whole.
Moreover, in the Pie chart of IELTS academic writing task1, you are expected to write a short descriptive report based on the given visual data or information.
As mentioned earlier, the Pie charts are divided into ‘pie slices’ to illustrate the percentages.
The size of each pie slice displays the relative data quantity it represents. These slices together create a full circle.
Besides, these are used commonly in the mass media and business world, but less common in technical and scientific publications.
How to describe a Pie chart in IELTS?
You may find various types of Pie charts like some with percentage or without percentage or number. Moreover, for each kind of pie chart, the rule is the same.
Of course, by following some techniques, you can learn how to describe a pie chart in the IELTS academic writing task.
Format for describing IELTS Pie Chart Writing Task 1
- Introduction: Paraphrase the question
- Overview: Describe the trends or write a general overview of the main groupings
- Specific Details: Body paragraph 1( Write in detail about the first grouping in a logical way), and (Body paragraph 2: Write in detail about the second grouping in a logical way)
Introduction
The first paragraph of the IELTS pie chart is the introduction in 1 or 2 sentences to introduce your chart. In this section, you have to paraphrase the information from your question.
Overview
General Overview is the second paragraph in which you have to describe the key features of your pie chart.
Body Paragraphs
This part deals with specific details and you should group up with the specific details of your chart in 2 or 3 paragraphs.
Strategies to Score High in IELTS Task 1 Pie Chart
Read the Question Properly to Select Information
In order to properly display the information in the Pie Chart, read the given information before you proceed.
Follow the right structure
A proper Pie chart structure should include:
- Introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Connective words to make the writing cohesive within sentences and paragraphs.
Meet the requirements of the task
- Make sure that the Pie chart has enough grammar
- Describing the whole graph adequately
- Meeting the word limit requirements
- Focusing on the important trends presented in the Pie chart
Focus on the Vocabulary
Vocabulary for IELTS pie chart plays a crucial role in achieving a good score. Moreover, to score high within the limited instructions is a bit challenging.
To prove that your report has a great vocabulary for IELTS, maintain the following:
Use a wide vocabulary range
- Avoid repeated phrases and words
- Use words precisely
- Use Synonyms
- Enriching vocabulary can help you hit a high band score as it holds 25% of the score.
You have seen about the describing a Pie chart in IELTS writing task 1 and the major strategies to follow. Now, let’s look into some tips that help in effective report generation.
Tips for Describing Pie Chart in IELTS Writing Task 1
Follow the below tips to crack the Pie chart in IELTS academic writing task 1
- Read the given question and identify the key information.
- Pay attention to your Pie chart time-frame and use appropriate tense.
- Paraphrasing the given question using proper grammar and vocabulary
- Use Transition Words to maintain continuity and keep a count on the word count.
- Focus on acquiring the appropriate data from the Pie charts into your writing.
- Compare the information on your Pie chart, do not panic. In such cases, give a summary of each picture.
- Do not give personal opinions at any cost.
Let’s implement our Pie chart describing strategies of IELTS in the below sample and generate a report:
Sample IELTS Pie Chart with Answer
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Moreover, write at least 150 words.
In the above Pie chart, we can see the monthly budget of a family sorted by their expenses for various including food, clothing, cosmetics, and other accessories, and miscellaneous in the ratio of 39, 28, 21, and 12 respectively.
The statistics clearly illustrate that 100% of a family per month. As it is shown, food is the highest expense with 39%, and then we find clothing to be second-highest with a percentage of 28%.
Whereas, cosmetics and accessories have a percentage of 21% and further the miscellaneous expenses such as the electricity bill, telephone bill, water bill, etc. occupied a ratio of 12%.
It’s clear that the food is the major expense of the family according to the pie chart above.
Frequently Asked Questions on IELTS Pie Chart
You have to write a minimum of 150 words or a bit more. The ideal word length is 160-180 words.
The basic elements of the Pie chart in task 1 include an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs.
You will be provided with a paper and you can use a pen or pencil to note the key features in the IELTS Writing test.
You have to use the right tense according to the context. Crucially the usage of tense depends on the time frame of the graph.
No, you are not supposed to give any opinion on the Pie chart. It is statistics and needs to be interpreted not evaluated. In addition, the graders consider your task achievement (not task response).
Of course not! Besides, it is a waste of time. The conclusion is another form of overview relatively short. An overview is important for a good score.
