Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Survey Results of Cultural and Leisure Activities Among Boys and Girls: 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.
  • 181 words
  • Pie charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes
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The question

The pie graphs below show the result of a survey of children?s activities. The first graph shows the cultural and leisure activities that boys participate in, whereas the second graph shows the activities in which the girls participate.

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

Boys' Cultural and Leisure Activities (%)
  • Soccer: 17%
  • Reading: 2%
  • Computer Games: 34%
  • Skateboarding: 11%
  • Listening to music: 10%
  • Basketball: 26%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Soccer17
Reading2
Computer Games34
Skateboarding11
Listening to music10
Basketball26
Girls' Cultural and Leisure Activities (%)
  • Gymnastics: 11%
  • Reading: 21%
  • Computer Games: 16%
  • Netball: 15%
  • Listening to music: 10%
  • Dancing: 27%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Gymnastics11
Reading21
Computer Games16
Netball15
Listening to music10
Dancing27

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 8181 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The two pie charts illustrate the participation rates of boys and girls in various cultural and leisure activities. Overall, it is clear that boys and girls have distinct preferences, with computer games dominating the boys' chart, whereas girls engage in a wider variety of pursuits.

For boys, computer games are the most popular activity, accounting for 34% of their leisure time, followed by basketball at 26%. Soccer and skateboarding represent 17% and 11% respectively, while listening to music accounts for 10%. Notably, reading is the least popular activity for boys, comprising only 2% of their total participation.

In contrast, girls show a higher engagement in dancing, which is their most popular activity at 27%. Reading is also significantly more popular among girls than boys, at 21%, compared to 16% for computer games. Netball and gymnastics account for 15% and 11% respectively, while listening to music remains consistent with the boys' data at 10%. Overall, the data highlights a clear divergence in leisure choices, with boys favouring digital and competitive sports, while girls demonstrate a broader interest in creative and social activities.

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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.

  • dominating

    having the most significant influence or largest share

  • distinct

    clearly different or of a different kind

  • account for

    to make up a specific portion or percentage

  • notably

    especially important or worthy of special attention

  • divergence

    the process of becoming different or separating

  • consistent

    acting or done in the same way

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While boys show a strong preference for computer games, girls' interests are more evenly distributed, with dancing and reading being their most popular activities.

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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