Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Comparison of post-school qualifications held by two Canadian age groups: 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.
  • 197 words
  • Pie charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The graphs below show the post-school qualifications held by Canadians in the age groups 25 to 35 and 45 to 55.

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

Post-school qualifications of Canadians aged 25 to 35 (%)
  • Administration: 19%
  • Social Science, Arts: 20%
  • Education: 15%
  • Science, Maths, Computers: 18%
  • Engineering: 9%
  • Humanities: 4%
  • Nursing: 7%
  • MBA: 6%
  • Other: 2%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Administration19
Social Science, Arts20
Education15
Science, Maths, Computers18
Engineering9
Humanities4
Nursing7
MBA6
Other2
Post-school qualifications of Canadians aged 45 to 55 (%)
  • Administration: 15%
  • Social Science, Arts: 21%
  • Education: 13%
  • Science, Maths, Computers: 10%
  • Engineering: 19%
  • Humanities: 5%
  • Nursing: 11%
  • MBA: 3%
  • Other: 3%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Administration15
Social Science, Arts21
Education13
Science, Maths, Computers10
Engineering19
Humanities5
Nursing11
MBA3
Other3

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 8197 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The two pie charts illustrate the distribution of post-school qualifications among Canadians in two distinct age brackets: 25 to 35 and 45 to 55. Overall, it is evident that Social Science and Arts is the most common field of study for both groups, although the popularity of other subjects varies significantly between the generations.

For the younger group of 515,600 individuals, Administration (19%), Social Science and Arts (20%), and Science, Maths, and Computers (18%) represent the majority of qualifications. Education also accounts for a substantial 15%. In contrast, Engineering, Nursing, MBA, Humanities, and Other fields constitute smaller proportions, with Engineering standing at 9% and Humanities at only 4%.

Regarding the 213,400 Canadians aged 45 to 55, the landscape is quite different. Engineering is significantly more prevalent in this group, accounting for 19% of qualifications, compared to just 9% for the younger cohort. Conversely, the proportion of those studying Science, Maths, and Computers drops to 10%. Social Science and Arts remains the leading field at 21%, while Administration and Education account for 15% and 13% respectively. Nursing is also more common among the older group at 11%, whereas MBA and Other qualifications remain relatively low at 3% each.

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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.
  • distribution

    the way in which something is shared out

  • distinct

    recognizably different in nature from something else

  • prevalent

    widespread in a particular area or time

  • constitute

    to be a part of a whole

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that reverses a previous one

  • prevalence

    the fact or condition of being common

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While Social Science and Arts remains the most popular qualification across both age groups, there is a notable shift in preference towards Engineering among older Canadians compared to the younger cohort.

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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