The IELTS is a standard assessment for candidates to assess their level of proficiency in English. IELTS is widely recognised among international students and the working population in several countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Germany.
Register now to achieve a Score of 6 or higher with our free IELTS Masterclass!
The IELTS exam contains four sections that determine the candidate's language skills. Here’s everything you need to learn about the IELTS pie chart task 1 in the writing section.
IELTS writing section: An overview
| No. of questions | 2 |
| Band score range | 0-9 |
| Duration (in minutes) | 60 |
| Is the syllabus the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training? | No |
Data updated as of July 2023
IELTS writing pattern 2023
No. of questions: 2
Total duration: 60 minutes
The IELTS exam pattern for the writing test consists of two descriptive essays between 150-250 words. You are required to complete the tasks in 60 minutes. The questions can be in the form of a graph, chart, or diagram, where you should analyse and describe the data.
IELTS writing syllabus 2023
While the pattern is the same for the IELTS Academic and General Training versions, the IELTS exam syllabus differs. The concepts of the essays are different in both versions, so make sure you prepare for the exam you have applied for.
IELTS writing section syllabus 2023
| Task | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training |
| Task 1 | A data interpretation task, where the candidate should write an essay relevant to the data provided. The question requires you to describe a particular data, an entire procedure, or a certain stage in the process. | A letter-writing task, where you should write a letter explaining an issue or requesting certain data. The task may be a personal, semi-formal, or formal letter. |
| Task 2 | An interpretation essay where you have to express your point of view, argument, or problem. You can use relevant examples to support your point or opinion. Keep the tone formal, and write the essay in an academic style. | An essay where you must convey your point of view for an argument or a problem. You can add a personal touch to the essay. |
Data updated as of July 2023
Register now and start your free IELTS Masterclass!
IELTS writing score guide
| IELTS band score | Description |
| 9 | Expert user |
| 8 | Very good user |
| 7 | Good user |
| 6 | Competent user |
| 5 | Modest user |
| 4 | Limited user |
| 3 | Extremely limited user |
| 2 | Intermittent user |
| 1 | Non-user |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test |
Data updated as of July 2023
IELTS writing task 1 pie chart
IELTS writing task 1 in the Academic version includes a variety of graphical representations, like pie charts, bar graphs, or line graphs. A pie chart is a circular figure divided into sectors, each representing a proportion or percentage of a measured factor. The sectors are labelled with different categories, and the size relates to the data it represents.
In these types of questions, you are required to summarise and describe the main components, your findings, and comparisons of the data.
Register now to achieve a Score of 6 or higher with our free IELTS Masterclass!
How to attend writing task 1 pie chart?
Here’s how you can effectively attempt an IELTS pie chart task 1.
- Start the task by paraphrasing the question and providing an overview of the chart. Ensure to include the time period and any specific units of measurement mentioned.
- Highlight the key components of the pie chart, like the total number of categories presented, the most and least dominant sectors, and other important factors.
- Write specific details about the sectors separately and focus on the most significant ones. Make sure to provide accurate data comparisons, such as percentages or proportions, to support your response. Also, mention any significant differences or similarities between sectors.
- Summarise the main findings observed in the pie chart and highlight any notable patterns or significant changes.
- Use appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and connect your ideas to convey your observations.
IELTS writing task 1 pie chart samples
Writing pie chart task 1: Sample 1
The pie chart shows the distribution of household expenses in a typical urban household. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.
Task response: The pie chart illustrates the breakdown of household expenses in a typical urban household. The chart presents data in percentage form, featuring the cost across various categories. Overall, it is evident that the largest proportion of the household budget is spent on housing, followed by transportation, food, and other expenses. Housing expenses dominate the budget, accounting for 40% of the total expenses. This includes costs such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, and maintenance fees. Transportation, the second largest in total expenditure, makes up 25% of the budget. This category covers expenses related to vehicles, fuel, public transportation, and parking fees. Food costs represent 20% of the household budget, making it the third largest category. This includes groceries, dining out, and other food-related costs. Lastly, other expenses, including healthcare, education, entertainment, and personal care, account for the remaining 15% of the budget. It is worth noting that while housing, transportation, and food expenses collectively make up 85% of the budget, other expenses should not be overlooked, as they still constitute a significant portion. In conclusion, the pie chart provides an overview of the distribution of household expenses in a typical urban household. Housing and transportation emerged as the two largest expenditure categories, followed by food and other expenses. These findings highlight the importance of careful financial planning for individuals and families to maintain a balanced and sustainable lifestyle. |
Register now to achieve a Score of 6 or higher with our free IELTS Masterclass!
Writing pie chart task 1: Sample 2
The pie chart below shows the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions by sector in a particular country. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
Task response: The pie chart represents the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions by sector in a specific country. The chart displays the data in percentage form, illustrating the relative contributions of various sectors towards the country's total emissions. Overall, the energy sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, followed by agriculture, industry, and waste management. The energy sector contributes to the majority of emissions, contributing a substantial 55% to the total. This sector includes electricity generation, heating, and transportation activities, which often rely heavily on fossil fuels. These findings emphasise the need for alternate energy sources and measures to reduce emissions. Agriculture is the second-largest source of emissions, comprising 30% of the total. Factors such as livestock production, rice cultivation, and the use of synthetic fertilisers contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in this sector. Strategies to promote sustainable farming practices and reduce agricultural emissions should be considered. The industry sector, which includes manufacturing, construction, and mining, contributes 10% to the total emissions. Industrial manufacturing and the burning of fossil fuels for energy generation contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing cleaner technologies and enhancing energy efficiency can help mitigate emissions in this area. Lastly, waste management accounts for the remaining 5% of emissions. This sector encompasses activities such as waste disposal, treatment, and decomposition. Proper waste management practices, including recycling, waste reduction, and using renewable energy, can aid in reducing emissions from this sector. In conclusion, the pie chart provides an overview of the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions by sector in a country. The energy sector is the largest contributor, followed by agriculture, industry, and waste management. These findings emphasise the importance of implementing sustainable practices and moving towards cleaner energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of climate change. |
Register now and start your free IELTS Masterclass!
Frequently asked questions
How to do IELTS task 1 pie chart?
- Start the task by explaining the question.
- Provide an overview of the chart.
- Highlight the key components of the pie chart.
- Write specific details about the sectors separately and mention the most significant ones.
- Summarise the main findings observed in the pie chart.
Which tense is used in writing the task 1 pie chart?
Candidates should use simple present tense while writing IELTS pie chart task 1.
How to calculate IELTS writing task 1 score?
The IELTS writing task has a band score range of 0-9. The task is graded based on these writing criteria.
- Task achievement
- Coherence and cohesion
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
Can I retake IELTS writing only?
IELTS has introduced One Skill Retake, where you can attend any one of the sections to improve your score. Suppose you are not satisfied with your IELTS writing band score; you can apply and retake only the writing tasks. The scores of the other sections remain the same.
