IELTS Writing Task 1: pie chart practice

Try doing a Google image search for 'pie charts' and you'll find plenty of charts that you could practise describing. Here's one I found:

To write an essay, you need to do 3 things:

1. Introduce the chart by saying what it shows.
2. Summarise the information by describing the main/general points.
3. Describe the charts in detail, comparing the figures (2 paragraphs).

Comments

[minou]

Thanks Simon, I passes Ielts on 22/10, I got the result today, 8.8.5.7.7 thanks Simon a millions!!!!!!

[Eucharis]

Dear Simon,

I have got the result of IELTS test I took on 22/10, it has just blown my mind: Listening: 7.5, Reading: 8.0, Writing: 6.5, Speaking: 7.0, total: 7.5.

I depdended mainly on self-learning, and sometimes it is so difficult for me to find the right way to tackle the questions. Your pieces of advice have helped me a lot to have clear thinking, which I think is so essential in Writing skill. I just know what I have to do and what is expected. I regret having discovered your website a little late, because my Writing skill needs more time to be improved. Maybe next time :-)

I wish you health, luck and success to continue your great work. Thank you so much:-)

[Simon]

Fantastic scores Minou and Eucharis. Well done! I'm really happy that my lessons helped.

[Van Ha]

Hi, I'm Van and I'm on my way practising for the IELTS test.
Here is my writing for this topic. I hope to get your recommendations and comments. Thank you ^_^

The graphs compare the percentages of necessary nutrients; carbohydrates, protein and fat; needed for an average diet, a healthy diet and a healthy diet for sport.

It can be clearly seen from the three pie charts that carbohydrates are the most important one, accounting for a bigger share compared to protein and fat in a diet. Carbohydrates take up 40% in an average diet, 50% in a healthy diet. The amount supported for a healthy diet for sport is estimated to meet a need up to 60%. In contrast, protein is expected to make up a lower proportion, and gradually decrease from 40%, 30% to 25% respectively in the three diets above. Fat is supposed to take up the remaining 15% in a healthy diet for sport, 5% less than the other two.

To summerise, carbohydrates will remain as the major factor in a diet for individuals, with approximately half of vital nutrients. While protein and fat are also indispensable for a good and balanced diet.

[Van Ha]

I've just noticed of this website for serveral days thanks to facebook. I've found many useful and essential stuff here. Thank you a lot, Simon, for helping us with such an enthusiasm.

Good day! ^^

[Banan]

Dear simon,

I want ask you how i can write the introduction because i can't organize my idea and i don't understand how i can compare between three pie charts ;(
can you help me pleas??

[Veena]

Hi, Simon here is my answer for pie chart: The three pie chart illustrates how much proportion of carbohydrates , protein and fat is consumed for three main diet - average diet, healthy diet and diet for sport.

[L]

Dear Simon,

Is is OK to divide body paragraph into 4 parts as the following. The first one is the summary and the rest are details.

Many thanks,

------

The pie chart shows portions of carbohydrates, protein and fat in three different diets.

It is noticeable that carbohydrate plays an important role in every diet. Fat, by contrast, take the most modest proportion.

On one hand, the percentage of carbohydrate in healthy diet is 10% higher than that of average diet. Besides, protein absorbed in healthy diet is cut down 10% if comparing with that in average diet. When it comes to fat, as clearly seen, it takes the same part of 20% in both diets.

On other hand, carbohydrates in a menu designed for sport professionals is the biggest portion in three diets. Protein and fat in this group, oppositely, are 25% and 15% respectively, making the smallest contributions to the diet.

Moreover, in the diet made for ordinary people, it is undoubted to see carbohydrates and protein share the same proportion of 40%. It makes the average diet different from the two others. To stay more healthy, carbohydrates should predictably be added more in our daily meals.

[Pdiddy]

Teacher,

which diet is yours?

[Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao]

Hi Simon,

Is it OK if I use a different type of introduction?

" Given are three pie charts concerning proportion of nutrition including carbonhydrat, protein and fat in three various type of diet."

Shoul I name clearly three type of diet?

" Given are three pie charts concerning proportion of nutrition including carbonhydrat, protein and fat in three various type of diet, namely average diet, healthy diet and healthy diet for sports".

Thanks!

[Int@n]

Dear Simon,
this is my essay, what do you think?

The charts display the composition of nutrition you should eat for 3 different diet programs. For all purposes, nutrition you need is carbohydrates, protein and fat with a special combination for each purpose. Keeping your ideal weight means you need the combination of average diet. For athletes, they need to follow the combination of healthy diet for sport, which need more carbohydrates than others purposes. For healthy diet, the combination is slightly different with average diet, precisely in the percentage of carbohydrates it needed.
The most balance composition is average diet. The combination is 40% for each carbohydrates and protein, and 20% for fat. It is reasonable because your purpose is to keep your current weight.
The most rough combination is diet for sport. For this purpose, you need to put more energy to make you able do sport. The composition is 60% carbohydrates, 25% protein and 15% fat.
The other combination is for healthy diet. It is consist of 50% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 20% fat.

[Simon]

Hi Van Ha,

I'm glad you found the site. I'm afraid I don't offer essay correction, feedback or scoring (if I did this, everyone would send me their essays), but thanks for sharing your work.

I'll write some more about this pie chart next week.

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Hi Banan,

I'll explain how write an introduction for the charts next week.

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Hi Veena,

You've got the right idea.

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Hi L,

Yes, it's fine to divide paragraphs in that way.

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I've no idea Pdiddy!

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Hi Nguyen,

Yes, I think you should mention the 3 diets. Don't begin with "Given are..." - this sounds strange in English. Just write something like "The three pie charts show".

...

Hi Int@n,

I'm afraid I don't offer essay correction, feedback or scoring - if I did this, everyone would send me their essays.

Just one tip: we need to see a clear paragraph structure.

I'll write more about this question next Thursday.

[Agent 47]

Hi Simon,

what can you say about mine,

The 3 pie charts present the proportion of carbohydrates, protein, and fat intake. This is plotted against 3 different types of diet namely average diet, healthy diet, and healthy diet for sport.
Based on the illustrations, one can say that carbohydrates intake has the highest percentage in the 3 diet types and fat the least.
Carbohydrates intake dominated the healthy diet for sport category with a large margin at 60%. It is followed by protein intake with a quarter of the total intake (25%). Lastly, fat intake amounted to 15%, a quarter of the carbohydrates intake.
Half of the food intake in a healthy diet contains carbohydrates. Protein is the second most abundant followed by fat with 30% and 20% respectively.
Protein and carbohydrates intake in an average diet is the same with 40% each. Fat is the least consumed with 20%, a half of the protein and carbohydrates intake.

[Allan Lee]

Hello,
This is my attempt at today's task :)

The diagrams show the three different diet programs and their components distributed in percentages.

All three types of diet are composed of Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Accordingly, the carbohydrate requirement for an average diet is lower than that of a healthy diet and an athlete's diet by 10% and 20%, respectively. In contrast, the protein requirement in an average diet is higher than that of a healthy diet by 10%, and higher by 15% than an athlete's diet.Fat, which is the least required among the three nutrients mentioned, makes up 20% of the average and healthy diet, which is 5% higher than that of an athlete's diet.

-Comments and suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Thanks!:)

[hisham]

The charts compares the different percentage of carbohydrates, protein and fat to form three shapes of diet (average diet , healthy diet , healthy diet for sport )
It's supposed that our food consist of 3 elements which are carbohydrates, protein and fat. so it is clear that if the person aim to get more healthy and stressed diet in short time , he need tp increase the proportion of carbohydrates in his food , and in contrast decrease the protein and fat proportion .
In describing the pie charts . firstly, it's noticeable that average diet chart shows that carbohydrates must shape 40 % of our food , 40 for protein and the rest (20%) for fat.
In healthy diet chart and healthy diet for sport , it's noticeable that carbohydtares proportion got increased to reach 50 % and 60 %on the increasing trend .And on the other hand ,protein and fat got a slight decrease between 5 % and 10 % .
In conclusion , to lose the overweight in short time and by healthy way , we have to increase the carbohydrates to form around 60 % of our food and minimize the foods which containd protein and fat to form around 25 % and 15 % .

simon please till me what will be my band and what is your notes and advices .pls .pls

[hisham]

The charts compares the different percentage of carbohydrates, protein and fat to form three shapes of diet (average diet , healthy diet , healthy diet for sport )

It's supposed that our food consist of 3 elements which are carbohydrates, protein and fat. so it is clear that if the person aim to get more healthy and stressed diet in short time , he need tp increase the proportion of carbohydrates in his food , and in contrast decrease the protein and fat proportion .

In describing the pie charts . firstly, it's noticeable that average diet chart shows that carbohydrates must shape 40 % of our food , 40 for protein and the rest (20%) for fat.

In healthy diet chart and healthy diet for sport , it's noticeable that carbohydtares proportion got increased to reach 50 % and 60 %on the increasing trend .And on the other hand ,protein and fat got a slight decrease between 5 % and 10 % .

In conclusion , to lose the overweight in short time and by healthy way , we have to increase the carbohydrates to form around 60 % of our food and minimize the foods which containd protein and fat to form around 25 % and 15 % .

just to be spaces between paragraphs

[Dung]

Hi Simon,
I noted that sometimes you use "The figure/number" or "The figures/numbers"
It's a bit confusing???

[Agent 47]

@hisham

Simon can't give grades here, or else eveyone will ask for it. Please take note of that. Just compare it to his writings and then do necessary changes.

As for my advice to you, watch out for the words that needs to be capitalized, the word "must" doesn't fit the chart since we are not obliged or required to take in 40% of carbohydrates. Lastly, "NEVER" put a conclusion. Reserve it for task 2, what you only need is an introduction, general trend, and body. Browse the site and you'll find very helpful topics here.

[hisham]

thanks agent 47 for your replay , just all what i wanted to know before the exam is am eligible now to get band 7 which what i wanted or need more practice , but thanks anyway for your advice , am so thankful .

[sulaiman]

The charts give an overview of the proportions of nutrition materials present on three types of diet.
The percentage of Carbohydrates in the composition of healthy and healthy diet for sport is superior than other nutrition materials accounting 50 per cent for the former and 60 per cent for the latter , whereas the proportion of carbohydrates in the composition of average diet is the same as the proportion of protein on the average diet standing at 40 per cent.
The percentage of fat in the composition of the three types of diet categories is inferior to the other materials that is included in the composition of the three diet categories . For example, the proportion of protein in healthy diet is greater by 20 per cent than fat .

To conclude, Carbohydrates are very important in the composition of healthy and healthy sport diet while the importance of protein and fat come next is inferior . But carbohydrates and protein have the same significance in the composition of average food.

[Moka]

Do I say the different percentage or percentages?thanks

[UT]

Hi Simon,

Here is my answer:

The pie charts describe about the proportion of three elements: carbohydrates, protein and fat in average diet, healthy diet and healthy diet for athletes.
In general, through three pie charts, in order to have good meal, people consume food having many much carbohydrates and much less fat.
Firstly, in human life, carbohydrates in healthy diet are consumed more 10% than one in average diet which is 40%. In contrast, protein in healthy diet decreases morderately at 30%. And, the proportion of fat consumed in average diet is equal to one in healthy diet, about 20%.
In order to have more nutritious meal, athletes eat food containing a lot of amount carbohydrates which is approximately 60%. In compare to healthy diet, the proportion of protein and fat in healthy diet of sport fall slightly, from 30% to 25% and from 20% to 15% respectively.

I would like to wait for your answer.

Thanks & Best Regards,
UT

[Simon]

Hi guys,

Thanks for sharing your work. As you might already know, I can't give feedback or scores. I'll do another lesson about this chart on Thursday.

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Hi Dung,

Just use figure/number when you are talking about one specific number, and figures/numbers when you are talking about more than one.

...

Hi Moka,

It could be either "a different percentage" (talking about one) or "different percentages" (plural). It's probably more likely to be a plural that you are talking about.

[PEIMAN]

HI DEAR SIMON
I took IELITS academic exam about 3 weeks ago with 5 = listening 5 , reading 5 , writing 4.5 , and speaking 5 , I dont know who can I improve my score to 7 . please guid me, thank you for every things.

[Simon]

Hi Peiman,

There is no easy way I'm afraid. You need to improve your level of English quite a lot to improve from band 5 to band 7.

You just need to keep practising and working hard. Try to follow the daily lessons on this site, use the Cambridge IELTS books for test practice, and try to find a teacher or native speaker who can check your work, correct your mistakes, and help you to improve.

[Lei]

Hi Simon,

'It is clear that the percentage of carbonhydrates account for more or less half of the total which is 40% in average diet, 50% in healthy diet and 60% in healthy diet for sport.'

Dose the above sentence make sense?
And can I replace 'percentage' with 'proportion' anytime?

[Simon]

Hi Lei,

Writing "which is" makes it seem like the total is 40%. Change "total which is" to "total, at 40%...".

Yes, you can always replace 'percentage' with 'proportion'.

[Lei]

Thank you for your advice,Simon.

[Ha Thu]

Hi,Simon
Could you give me some useful languages in the pie chart?
I am studying on your website but i am confusing where i can start due to your website have been quite a long time. Please guide me!
Thanks alot! ^^

[Simon]

Hi Ha Thu,

There is no special language for pie charts. A pie chart just shows numbers (the same as graphs, bar charts and tables), so you just need to learn how to describe and compare numbers.

Click on the page below and have a look at the recent writing task 1 lessons about pie charts:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-writing-task-1/

[arslan aman]

It shows us about human's diet but it is divided in three categories . First chart shows the average diet . It is very useful for person who want to keep maintain his weight . Average diet has 40% carbohydrates ,20% fats and 40% protein that is good combination . second chart tells us about healthy diet . It is very useful for a person who perform some work in his routine life. Healthy diet has 50%carbohydrates , 20% fats and 30% protein that is also a perfect combination . And 3rd chart shows us the diet for sport men . Sports man diet has 60% carbohydrates, 15% fats and 25% protein . It also very good combination of the diet for the sport man.
COMPARING .
First chart shows us about the diet for a person who wants to keep his weight balance it is a good thing . Because if he will keep his weight in balance he will not bear extra weight of his body in his routine life and will perform work easily . Healthy diet for a person who perform some hard work in his daily life . For doing hard work some extra energy is required .