Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Proportions of different music media formats used between 1990 and 2010: 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.
  • 173 words
  • Pie charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The pie charts below show the types of music media used from 1990 to 2010.

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

Type of music Media Used - 1990
  • Cassette: 25
  • Compact Disk (CD): 55
  • Vinyl Record: 20
View the data
CategoryValue
Cassette25
Compact Disk (CD)55
Vinyl Record20
Type of music Media Used - 2000
  • Compact Disk (CD): 95
  • Digital Audio: 5
View the data
CategoryValue
Compact Disk (CD)95
Digital Audio5
Type of music Media Used - 2010
  • Compact Disk (CD): 35
  • Digital Audio (MP3): 60
  • Vinyl Record: 5
View the data
CategoryValue
Compact Disk (CD)35
Digital Audio (MP3)60
Vinyl Record5

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 8173 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The provided pie charts illustrate the changing preferences for various music media formats over a twenty-year period from 1990 to 2010.

Overall, it is evident that music consumption underwent a dramatic transformation. While CDs became the overwhelming choice by the turn of the millennium, they were subsequently overtaken by digital audio formats, while traditional media like cassettes and vinyl records saw their market shares fluctuate or decline significantly.

In 1990, the music market was relatively diverse, with CDs accounting for 55% of usage, followed by cassettes at 25% and vinyl records at 20%. By 2000, the market had consolidated heavily around CDs, which surged to 95% of the total, while digital audio emerged as a minor player at 5%.

By 2010, the landscape shifted once more. Digital audio (MP3) became the most popular medium, capturing 60% of the market. Conversely, the popularity of CDs dropped to 35%. Interestingly, vinyl records, which had disappeared from the 2000 data, reappeared in 2010, albeit accounting for a small 5% share of the total music media used.

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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.
  • superseded

    replaced by something newer or more effective

  • consolidated

    combined into a single, more effective whole

  • surged

    increased suddenly and powerfully in a short time

  • landscape

    the overall situation or environment of a market

  • capturing

    securing a specific portion of a total market

  • fluctuate

    rise and fall irregularly in number or amount

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

The data indicates a significant shift in music consumption, with CDs dominating in 2000 before being largely superseded by digital audio formats by 2010.

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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