IELTS Pie Chart: Overview, Writing Strategies, Tips and Samples

IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES

IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES

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IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES

IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES

In writing module, task 1, of the academic section there will be a visual representation or a diagram on which you have to write a paragraph. One of these visual representations may be pie charts. 

Pie Charts are the circular charts that are divided into sections or pie slices usually representing the percentages. Each section of the pie chart shows the percentage of data that it represents. When you put all the sections together it forms a circle. 

The Pie charts are most commonly used in multimedia and business world and less commonly used in scientific and technical publications.

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?
• Steps to write a Pie Chart
• 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
• IELTS Pie chart Vocabulary
• 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.

Steps to write a Pie Chart

There are certain steps that you need to follow while describing the Pie Chart. You can follow the below steps:

Introduction

You have to begin the chart with an introduction. The introduction can go up to 2 sentences and while introducing you can paraphrase the sentence that is already there in the question. You need to include two points. Firstly, what is your graph showing and secondly, the time period?

General Overview

In the second paragraph, you need to write a general overview of the graph. You need to pick some main features from the chart and explain it. Firstly, you can take the biggest or the smallest sections from the pie chart and explain it. Secondly, identify the ones that didn’t change over time. You can choose to write on any one of the options, but do not write both.

Specific Details

In the last paragraph, you have to write about the specific details. You can split the group of specific details into two or three paragraphs. You can group the specific details in the following manner:

Firstly based on the sectors that have increased and secondly based on the factors that have decreased or didn’t change.

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.

The two pie charts below show some employment patterns in Great Britain in 1992.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES

The pie charts outline employment scenario of British males and females in six job sectors in 1992. It is obvious that manual jobs were predominantly done by males whereas a higher percentage of females did clerical jobs. Moreover, managerial and craft related jobs were engaged by a higher proportion of both genders.

As the illustration indicates, more percentages of British males worked in manual sectors, except in craft-related industries, compared to their female counterparts. For instance, 2% general labourers in Great Britain were men while the female labourers’ ratio was half of that. Moreover, 24% males worked in numerous other manual jobs while this was only 3% for females. Nevertheless, 27% females in craft-related industries marginally exceeded the ratio of males in the same sector.

Looking further into the data, non-manual professions included managerial & professional, clerical and other non-manual jobs. Interestingly, employment rates of females in clerical was five times higher than that of males. This is the job category that many females (31%) we engaged in. Besides, over one-third males were in managerial and professional jobs while almost 30% females were in these positions as well.

IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES

IELTS Pie chart Vocabulary :

In writing task 1 of Academic module, there is a dedicated vocabulary for pie chart. IELTS pie chart description must be done accordingly. Here are some sample vocabulary:

You can also use other words and fractions.

• A large number of people

• over a quarter of people

• a small minority

• A significant number of people

• less than a fifth

This table presents some examples of how you can change percentages to fractions or ratios:

If the percentages are not exact as above, then you can use qualifiers to make sure your description remains accurate. Here are some examples:

This table presents some examples of how you can change percentages to other phrases:

When describing increases/decreases, use words given below:

Noun phrase + verb + adverb
Eg : The price of tomatoes fell sharply.

There + be + noun + in + noun phrase
Eg: There has been a sharp decrease in the price of leather goods.

IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES

Frequently Asked Questions on IELTS Pie Chart

1) How many words should we use to describe Pie Chart graphs in IELTS?

You have to write a minimum of 150 words or a bit more. The ideal word length is 160-180 words.

2) What are the basic elements of the Pie chart?

The basic elements of the Pie chart in task 1 include an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs.

3) Where to note the key features of Pie chart?

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.

4) What tense should we use while describing the Pie chart?

You have to use the right tense according to the context. Crucially the usage of tense depends on the time frame of the graph.

5) Should we conclude or give an opinion on Pie chart data?

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).

6) By concluding the data can we get high marks?

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.

IELTS PIE CHART: OVERVIEW, WRITING STRATEGIES, TIPS AND SAMPLES