Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Average food consumption proportions in the world, China, and India: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 pie chart question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about pie charts.
  • 198 words
  • Pie charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The pie charts show the average consumption of food in the world in 2008 compared to two countries; China and India.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

World
  • Processed food: 41
  • Vegetables and fruits: 29
  • Animal food: 26
  • Nuts and seeds: 4
View the data
CategoryValue
Processed food41
Vegetables and fruits29
Animal food26
Nuts and seeds4
China
  • Processed food: 34
  • Vegetables and fruits: 32
  • Animal food: 15
  • Nuts and seeds: 19
View the data
CategoryValue
Processed food34
Vegetables and fruits32
Animal food15
Nuts and seeds19
India
  • Processed food: 39
  • Vegetables and fruits: 23
  • Animal food: 27
  • Nuts and seeds: 11
View the data
CategoryValue
Processed food39
Vegetables and fruits23
Animal food27
Nuts and seeds11

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8198 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided pie charts illustrate the average consumption of four food categories—processed food, vegetables and fruits, animal food, and nuts and seeds—in the world, China, and India during 2008.

Overall, processed food constitutes the largest share of consumption in all three regions, whereas nuts and seeds account for the lowest percentages. Notably, China and India show distinct dietary patterns compared to the global average, particularly regarding the intake of animal food and nuts.

Globally, processed food dominates at 41%, followed by vegetables and fruits at 29% and animal food at 26%. Nuts and seeds make up a marginal 4%. In contrast, China displays a more balanced distribution; processed food accounts for 34%, closely followed by vegetables and fruits at 32%. China also consumes a significantly higher proportion of nuts and seeds (19%) compared to the global figure, while animal food intake is lower at 15%.

India’s consumption patterns are closer to the global average for processed food (39%). However, India consumes a higher proportion of animal food (27%) than China, but less than the global average. Vegetable and fruit consumption in India stands at 23%, and nuts and seeds represent 11%, which is nearly triple the global average.

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Pie charts

How to write about pie charts: tips and vocabulary

  • →Name the largest and smallest shares in the overview.
  • →Use proportion language: a quarter, just under half, the majority.
  • →With two pies, compare the same slice across both.
  • constitutes

    to be the parts that form something

  • marginal

    very small and not important

  • dominates

    to be the most important or common part

  • distinct

    clearly different from others of the same type

  • account for

    to form a particular amount or part

  • proportion

    a part or share of a whole

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

Processed food is the most consumed category across all regions, while nuts and seeds consistently represent the smallest proportion of the diet.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

How do I describe pie charts?+

Name the largest and smallest shares in the overview. Use proportion language: a quarter, just under half, the majority. With two pies, compare the same slice across both.

Keep practising

More pie charts

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