Pie charts are one of the common types of questions in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. Test takers are often required to interpret and describe the information presented in pie charts, which may involve making comparisons, summarizing the main features, and reporting proportions and trends. It’s important for candidates to practice with a variety of data presentation formats, including pie charts, as they could encounter any of these on the test day.
Below, you’ll find practice tasks accompanied by exemplary model answers, crafted specifically for examinees such as yourself. I am confident that utilizing these for your preparation will be immensely beneficial. Should you require additional practice with different tasks, please refer to my earlier posts, which cover a range of topics including line graphs, bar graphs, diagrams, and more. Best of luck!
Model Answer below:
3 more sample answers:
The provided pie charts present a breakdown of electricity generation sources in Germany and France for the year 2009.
Overall, Germany’s electricity generation was predominantly from conventional thermal energy, while France relied heavily on nuclear power. Both countries utilized renewable energy sources, but the composition of these renewables differed notably between the two.
In Germany, which generated 560 billion kWh of electricity, conventional thermal sources constituted the majority with 59.6%. Nuclear energy accounted for a significant 23.0%, while renewable sources contributed 17.4%. Within the renewable sector, biomass (39.3%) and wind power (36.9%) were almost equally significant, followed by hydroelectric power at 17.7%. Solar and geothermal sources were less substantial, with solar making up 6.1% and geothermal a negligible 0.0%.
In contrast, France generated 510 billion kWh, with a striking 76.0% coming from nuclear sources. Renewable energy provided 13.7%, dominated by hydroelectric power at a substantial 80.5%. Other renewable sources such as wind and solar power were minimal, contributing 1.0% and 0.9% respectively. Like Germany, geothermal energy did not play a role in France’s electricity generation.
The charts reveal that while France’s electricity generation was heavily centered around nuclear power, Germany had a more diverse energy mix, with a significant contribution from renewables, particularly wind and biomass. (206 words)
The pie charts compare the sources of electricity generation in Germany and France in the year 2009.
Overall, it is evident that Germany’s electricity production was primarily derived from conventional thermal sources, whereas France’s was predominantly nuclear. Both countries also generated a considerable amount of electricity from renewable resources, with Germany displaying a more varied renewable mix compared to France.
In Germany, out of a total electricity generation of 560 billion kWh, conventional thermal sources contributed the largest share at 59.6%. Nuclear power was responsible for 23.0% of the electricity production, and renewables accounted for 17.4%. Within the renewable segment, biomass was the leading source at 39.3%, closely followed by wind at 36.9%, with hydroelectric at a distant 17.7%. Solar energy made up 6.1%, while geothermal energy was not utilized.
For France, which produced 510 billion kWh of electricity, nuclear power was the dominant source at 76.0%. Renewable energy sources contributed to 13.7% of the overall production, with hydroelectric power being the most significant at 80.5%. Wind and solar power had minimal shares, at 1.0% and 0.9% respectively, and geothermal power was again not in use.
The comparison highlights France’s heavy reliance on nuclear power for its electricity needs, whereas Germany had a more balanced approach between conventional thermal power and a range of renewable energy sources. (217 words)
The pie charts provide a comparison of electricity generation sources in Germany and France in 2009.
Overall, Germany’s electricity was predominantly generated from conventional thermal sources, while France relied heavily on nuclear power. Renewable energies also played a role in the energy mix of both countries, with Germany having a more diverse distribution of renewable sources.
In detail, conventional thermal sources made up 59.6% of Germany’s electricity generation, with nuclear and renewable sources contributing 23.0% and 17.4%, respectively. Of the renewables in Germany, biomass and wind were major contributors, at 39.3% and 36.9%, followed by hydroelectric power at 17.7% and solar at 6.1%. Geothermal was not used.
On the other hand, France’s electricity generation was dominated by nuclear power at 76.0%. Renewables accounted for 13.7%, with hydroelectric power constituting 80.5% of this segment. Wind and solar energy had a very small share in France’s total generation.
This comparison indicates a stark contrast between the two countries’ reliance on nuclear power and their use of renewable energy sources. (167 words)
Model Answer below:
3 more sample answers:
The trio of pie charts compares the spending patterns of a school in the UK across three distinct years: 1981, 1991, and 2001.
Overall, the data reveals a growing trend in the allocation of funds to teachers’ salaries and insurance, whereas there is a notable decrease in the budget share for resources such as books.
In 1981, teachers’ salaries comprised the largest segment of spending at 40%, with other workers’ salaries following at 28%. Both resources and furniture and equipment had an equal share of 15% each, and the smallest portion was dedicated to insurance at 2%. A decade later, in 1991, the expenditure on teachers’ salaries had increased to 50%, becoming the half of the total spending. Other workers’ salaries and resources experienced a decrease to 22% and 20%, respectively, while spending on furniture and equipment saw a significant reduction to 5%. Insurance costs rose to 3%.
Moving to 2001, the proportion of spending on teachers’ salaries saw a slight decrease to 45%. There was a considerable jump in insurance costs, which now took up 8% of the budget. Spending on furniture and equipment also increased to 23%, becoming the second-largest expenditure. Conversely, the budget for resources saw a substantial decline, dropping to just 9%, and the allocation for other workers’ salaries was cut to 15%.
This comparison indicates a shifting focus in school spending, with an increasing emphasis on staffing and capital costs over the two decades, while the investment in learning materials proportionally declined. (247 words)
The pie charts illustrate the spending allocations of a UK school in three different years: 1981, 1991, and 2001.
Overall, it is apparent that the proportion of spending on teachers’ salaries increased over the 20-year period, while expenditure on resources saw a decline. There was also a notable rise in spending on insurance and furniture and equipment.
In 1981, the greatest expense was teachers’ salaries, accounting for 40% of spending, followed by other workers’ salaries at 28%. Resources such as books, and furniture and equipment, each represented 15% of the total expenditures. Insurance was the smallest expense at just 2%. By 1991, the school’s financial focus had shifted, with teachers’ salaries rising to 50% of spending. The proportion for other workers’ salaries fell to 22%, and resources decreased to 20%. Furniture and equipment dropped to a low of 5%, and insurance saw a slight increase to 3%.
By 2001, teachers’ salaries continued to be the largest expense at 45%. Expenditure on furniture and equipment had increased substantially to 23%, and insurance costs had more than doubled to 8% of the budget. Conversely, spending on resources had almost halved to 9%, and other workers’ salaries were reduced to 15%.
These trends show a clear prioritization of teacher salaries and infrastructure over the two decades, with a reduced budget share for resources, highlighting changing priorities in the school’s spending strategy. (228 words)
The pie charts detail the financial distribution of a UK school’s spending in the years 1981, 1991, and 2001.
Overall, the school’s spending shifted significantly towards teachers’ salaries and insurance, while the budget for resources like books diminished over the 20-year span.
In 1981, teachers’ salaries constituted the largest expense at 40%, followed by other workers’ salaries at 28%. Both resources and furniture/equipment accounted for 15% each, with insurance at 2%. A decade later, in 1991, half of the school’s budget was spent on teachers’ salaries. Other workers’ salaries and resources were allocated 22% and 20%, respectively, while furniture/equipment expenditure declined to 5%, and insurance slightly increased to 3%.
By 2001, the proportion for teachers’ salaries remained the highest at 45%. Notably, insurance increased to 8% of the budget, and furniture/equipment expenses rose to 23%. In contrast, spending on resources fell sharply to 9%, and other workers’ salaries were reduced to 15%.
The data indicate a prioritization of staffing and infrastructure costs over the years, with resources receiving a decreasing share of the school’s budget. (175 words)
3 more sample answers:
The pie chart presents the proportions of world passenger car production in 2015 by different regions.
Overall, Greater China was the leading region in car production, closely followed by Europe. Together, these two regions produced more than half of the world’s passenger cars. The Middle East and Africa combined had the smallest production percentage.
In detail, Greater China accounted for 26% of global car production, making it the top producer. Europe was a close second with 25%. North America also held a substantial share, producing 19% of the world’s passenger cars. Japan and Korea collectively contributed 16%, placing them as the third-largest car producers.
On the lower end, South Asia was responsible for 8% of production, while South America’s share was half of that at 4%. The combined regions of the Middle East and Africa contributed the least, with only a 2% share in global car production.
The chart highlights the dominance of Asian and European regions in car manufacturing, with Greater China and Europe together forming a significant majority in the global car production market. (176 words)
The pie chart delineates the distribution of passenger car production across various regions worldwide in the year 2015.
Overall, the majority of cars were produced in Greater China and Europe, with these regions being the top contributors to the global car production industry. In stark contrast, the Middle East and Africa regions accounted for the least production.
Greater China had the highest production, constituting 26% of the global total. Europe was a close competitor, contributing 25% to the world’s passenger car production. North America also held a significant share, with 19% of the cars produced.
Japan and Korea together made up 16% of global production, which was twice the production of South Asia at 8%. South America, with a smaller portion, was responsible for 4% of the production. The Middle East and Africa had the smallest share of production at just 2%.
The chart clearly shows a concentration of car manufacturing in Greater China and Europe, indicating their dominant positions in the automotive industry, while other regions like the Middle East and Africa played a minor role in the 2015 passenger car market. (183 words)
The pie chart displays the proportion of passenger car production in different regions around the world for the year 2015.
Overall, the largest percentage of car manufacturing occurred in Greater China, closely followed by Europe, with both regions accounting for more than half of global production. Conversely, the Middle East and Africa combined contributed the smallest share.
Specifically, Greater China was the leading car producer with 26% of the total production. Europe was only slightly behind, accounting for 25% of the world’s passenger cars. North America also had a considerable share of the production pie at 19%.
Japan and Korea together were responsible for 16% of car production, which was double the percentage of South Asia’s output at 8%. South America was responsible for a modest 4% of the total production. The Middle East and Africa, as a combined region, produced the least, making up only 2% of the total cars manufactured in 2015.
This chart indicates a significant concentration of the car manufacturing industry in Greater China and Europe, highlighting their dominant role in the sector compared to other regions. (181 words)