IELTS Writing · Task 1
IELTS Writing Task 1: pie chart
One or more pies showing how a whole is divided. Two pies usually show the same thing at two dates or in two places.
- 2 practice questions
- 20 minutes · 150 words
What the examiner looks for
- The overview says which shares are largest and, with two pies, which grew and which shrank.
- Percentages are quoted exactly, and shares are also put as fractions: a quarter, just over a third.
- The report is at least 150 words and gives no opinion and no reasons: it says what the figure shows.
Pie chart questions to practise
1. Electricity sourcesAcademic test: Electricity sources
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The charts below show the sources of the electricity generated in one country in 2000 and 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
2000
2020
- Coal
- Natural gas
- Nuclear
- Hydroelectric
- Wind and solar
- Other renewables
Figure: Sources of electricity generation, 2000 and 2020 Pie chart: 2000 - Coal: 52% - Natural gas: 24% - Nuclear: 14% - Hydroelectric: 6% - Wind and solar: 1% - Other renewables: 3% Pie chart: 2020 - Coal: 12% - Natural gas: 38% - Nuclear: 16% - Hydroelectric: 7% - Wind and solar: 22% - Other renewables: 5%
2. Where the money goesAcademic test: Where the money goes
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The charts below show how an average household divided its spending in three countries in 2023.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
United Kingdom
Turkey
Vietnam
- Housing and fuel
- Food
- Transport
- Health and education
- Leisure and other goods
Figure: Average household spending by category, 2023 Pie chart: United Kingdom - Housing and fuel: 30% - Food: 14% - Transport: 15% - Health and education: 10% - Leisure and other goods: 31% Pie chart: Turkey - Housing and fuel: 25% - Food: 26% - Transport: 17% - Health and education: 12% - Leisure and other goods: 20% Pie chart: Vietnam - Housing and fuel: 19% - Food: 40% - Transport: 13% - Health and education: 16% - Leisure and other goods: 12%