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IELTS Pie Chart Sample Answer
Study this ielts pie chart sample answer with a practice task, data description, Band 7 sample answer, Band 9 improved answer, overview analysis, key features, useful vocabulary, and common mistakes.
This is an IELTS-style practice task, not an official IELTS exam question.
IELTS-style sample task
The pie charts compare household spending in one country in 2000 and 2020 across five categories: housing, food, transport, entertainment, and healthcare.
Data description
- 2000: Housing 30%, Food 25%, Transport 20%, Entertainment 15%, Healthcare 10%
- 2020: Housing 35%, Food 18%, Transport 22%, Entertainment 12%, Healthcare 13%
Band 7 sample answer
The pie charts show how households spent money in one country in 2000 and 2020. Overall, housing was the largest category in both years, while food spending fell. In 2000, housing made up 30% of spending, and this increased to 35% in 2020. Food decreased from 25% to 18%, which was the biggest fall. Transport rose slightly from 20% to 22%, and healthcare increased from 10% to 13%. Entertainment went down a little, from 15% to 12%. The data shows a shift away from food and entertainment toward housing and healthcare.
Band 9 improved sample answer
The pie charts compare household expenditure in one country across five categories in 2000 and 2020. Overall, housing remained the dominant area of spending and rose slightly, whereas food declined noticeably. In 2000, housing accounted for 30% of total spending, increasing to 35% by 2020. Food showed the sharpest fall, dropping from a quarter of expenditure to 18%. Transport rose marginally, from 20% to 22%, while healthcare increased from 10% to 13%. Entertainment, by contrast, decreased from 15% to 12%. These changes suggest that a larger share of household budgets was directed toward essential costs by 2020.
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Overview analysis
Housing remained the largest spending category and increased slightly, while food spending fell noticeably. Healthcare and transport rose modestly.
Key features
- Housing rose from 30% to 35%.
- Food dropped from 25% to 18%.
- Transport increased slightly from 20% to 22%.
- Healthcare grew from 10% to 13%.
- Entertainment decreased slightly.
Useful vocabulary
- accounted for
- made up
- represented
- fell noticeably
- rose slightly
- remained the largest category
Common mistakes
- describing each slice with no comparison
- missing the largest and smallest categories
- forgetting the time comparison
- using number instead of percentage
- writing opinions about spending habits
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FAQ
How do I write about pie charts in IELTS?
Compare the largest and smallest categories and explain the main changes.
How do I compare two pie charts?
Focus on categories that increased, decreased, or stayed similar.
Should I mention every percentage?
Mention key percentages, but avoid listing every slice mechanically.
What vocabulary is useful for pie charts?
Use accounted for, made up, represented, increased, decreased, and remained.
Can I check my pie chart answer online?
Yes. Use a checker to review overview and comparison quality.
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