IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart: Band 7 Template (with Sample Answer)

Pie charts test your ability to describe proportions — what fraction of the whole each segment represents. Many candidates lose marks by listing every percentage individually instead of grouping segments into meaningful categories. This template fixes that.

For other Task 1 question types, see line graph, bar chart, map, and process diagram templates.

Band 7 pie chart structure

Four paragraphs, 170-190 words:

Introduction — paraphrase the prompt
Overview — largest and smallest segments, total number of categories
Body 1 — detailed description of larger segments
Body 2 — detailed description of smaller segments (or comparison between two pies if applicable)

Step 1: Pie chart sub-types

Three common formats:

Single pie chart — one snapshot of proportions
Two pie charts — comparison across time or groups (e.g., 2000 vs 2020)
Multiple pie charts — three or more comparisons

Multiple pies require a different overview that captures how proportions changed across the pies, not just which segment is largest.

Step 2: Paraphrase the prompt

Original: "The pie chart shows the percentage of household expenditure on different categories in the UK in 2020."

Paraphrased: "The pie chart illustrates the proportion of total spending allocated to various categories by households in the UK during 2020."

Synonym swaps: shows → illustrates, percentage → proportion, expenditure → spending, on different categories → allocated to various categories.

Step 3: Write the overview

For a single pie chart: "Overall, [largest category] accounted for the largest share of household spending, while [smallest category] received the smallest portion. The remaining categories occupied middling positions in roughly equal proportions."

For two pie charts (e.g., 2000 vs 2020): "Overall, the proportion of spending on [Category X] increased significantly between 2000 and 2020, while [Category Y] declined. [Category Z] remained the largest share in both years."

Step 4: Body paragraph 1 — larger segments

Group the top 2-3 segments. Use proportion vocabulary:

"Housing represented the largest share of household expenditure at 32%, nearly a third of total spending. Food and groceries followed closely at 28%, meaning the two combined accounted for around 60% of the average UK household budget."

Step 5: Body paragraph 2 — smaller segments

Group the remaining segments:

"Transport and utilities each consumed roughly 12% of spending, while leisure activities took 8%. The smallest category was savings, accounting for just 5% of household expenditure — a notably low figure."

Proportion vocabulary

Large shares:

the largest / biggest / leading share
the majority of, the bulk of
nearly half, just over half, well over half
a substantial / significant / considerable proportion

Medium shares:

around a third / a quarter
a notable proportion
a sizeable portion

Small shares:

a small fraction / a small percentage
the smallest / least significant share
only / just / merely [X%]
a marginal proportion

Comparison phrases:

twice as large as, three times the size of
comparable to, similar in size to
noticeably / slightly larger than

Full sample Band 7 answer

Prompt: Household expenditure categories in the UK, 2020.

The pie chart illustrates the proportion of total spending allocated to various categories by households in the UK during 2020.

Overall, housing accounted for the largest share of household expenditure, while savings received the smallest portion. The remaining categories occupied middling positions, with food and groceries clearly the second-largest expense.

Housing represented the largest share at 32%, nearly a third of total spending. Food and groceries followed closely at 28%, meaning these two categories combined accounted for around 60% of the average UK household budget.

Transport and utilities each consumed roughly 12% of spending, while leisure activities took 8%. The smallest category was savings, accounting for just 5% of household expenditure — a notably low figure that highlights the financial pressure on UK households.

Word count: 168

Two pie charts variation

If you have two pies (comparison across time or groups), structure as:

Body 1: Categories that increased between the two pies
Body 2: Categories that decreased or stayed stable

Always include change language: "rose from X% to Y%," "fell by half," "tripled in proportion," "remained at roughly the same level."

Common pie chart mistakes

Listing all percentages without grouping
Forgetting the overview
Using "amount" instead of "proportion" or "percentage" (pies show shares, not totals)
Writing percentages without context ("5%" alone — say "5% of total spending")

For Task 1 mistakes more broadly, see Top 10 IELTS Writing Mistakes That Block Band 7.