Pie Charts

What Pie Charts Test

Pie charts show proportions — how a whole is divided into parts. Two pie charts comparing the same categories at different points in time or in different places are extremely common in IELTS Academic. Your task is to describe the proportions and compare how they changed.

Structure for Two Pie Charts

Introduction: State what both charts show and what they represent — the whole being divided and what the segments represent.

Overview: Identify which category is largest in both charts and whether the general distribution changed significantly or remained similar.

Body Paragraph 1: Describe the largest and smallest segments in both charts simultaneously, noting any changes.

Body Paragraph 2: Cover the remaining segments with comparisons between the two time periods or places.

Proportion Language

Describing large shares: accounted for, represented, comprised, made up — combined with: the largest share, the majority, over half, nearly two thirds, approximately three quarters

Describing small shares: accounted for only, represented a mere, comprised just, made up a small fraction of — combined with: the smallest proportion, less than a tenth, a negligible share

Describing changes: increased its share from X% to Y%, fell from X to Y percent, remained relatively stable at approximately, saw a notable rise from

Common Mistakes

Using "percent" and "percentage" interchangeably incorrectly — "a 45 percent share" is correct; "the percentage of X was 45" is also correct; "a 45 percentage" is wrong.

Describing each segment individually without making any comparisons between the two charts.

Not rounding figures sensibly — "23.7%" should be described as "nearly a quarter" or "approximately 24%."

Ignoring small segments entirely — mention them briefly even if just to say they represented a minor proportion.