Lesson 3:

Describing pie charts

A pie chart is a circular statistical graphic which is divided into slices to illustrate proportions
The following is an example of a Task 1 pie chart.

The two pie charts below show the percentages of industry sectors' contribution to Turkey’s
economy in 2000 and 2016.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant.

To describe these two pie charts, we’re going to apply the same rules and structures applied for other
graphs and charts. So let’s get started.
1. Analyze the question and the task carefully.

2. Write the introduction by re-phrasing the question

The two pie charts illustrate how different industry sectors contributed to the economy of
Turkey percentagewise in the years 2000 and 2016.

3. The second paragraph should be an overview of the charts, where we briefly describe 2-4 key
features of your chart. In our case, there are two main options to describe key features:

a) find the biggest and smallest slices of each pie chart

b) find which slices became bigger/smaller or didn't change
Each option is fine, but don't write both of them because you have to keep your overview short. I have
chosen the first option. Let's look again at our pie charts and identify the biggest/smallest slices of each
pie chart:
As can be seen from the graph, in 2000 construction contributed the least to Turkey’s economy
and agriculture was the most significant economic sector. In 2006, however, healthcare and
education was the largest economic segment and the least contribution came from the
financial, business and other services.

4. Now we have to divide the data into TWO or THREE paragraphs in a logical way. In our case, our
best option is to write about the sectors that had an increase in Body Paragraph 1 and describe the
sectors that had a decrease or no change in Body Paragraph 2. To avoid confusion, you can put pluses
(+) at the sectors that increased and minuses (-) at the sectors that decreased.
Beginning with the growth figures, the construction sector accounted for 3% of Turkey's
economy in 2000, and experienced a more than threefold increase to one-tenth in 2016.
Similarly, economic income from trade, utilities and transportation also went up, albeit by a
mere 2% (from 14% in 2000 to 16% in 2016). At the beginning of the period, manufacturing and
finance, business and other services constituted 8% and 5% respectively, and these figures too
rose to stand at 12% and 8% in 2016.
Turning to the other sectors, agriculture, which had comprised almost a quarter of Turkey's
economy in 2000, fell to 14% in 2016. Likewise, economic outputs from government and leisure
and hospitality sectors accounted for 12% and 17% respectively; however, both these figures
had declined by 3% by 2016. In contrast, contributions from healthcare and education sector
remained constant at 17% in both years.

COHESIVE DEVICES:
The two pie charts illustrate how different industry sectors contributed to the economy of Turkey
percentagewise in the years 2000 and 2016.
As can be seen from the graph, in 2000 construction contributed the least to Turkey’s economy and
agriculture was the most significant economic sector. In 2006, however, healthcare and education was
the largest economic segment and the least contribution came from the financial, business and other
services.
Beginning with the growth figures, the construction sector accounted for 3% of Turkey's economy in
2000, and experienced a more than threefold increase to one-tenth in 2016. Similarly, economic
income from trade, utilities and transportation also went up, albeit by a mere 2% (from 14% in 2000 to
16% in 2016). At the beginning of the period, manufacturing and finance, business and other services
constituted 8% and 5% respectively, and these figures too rose to stand at 12% and 8% in 2016.
Turning to the other sectors, agriculture, which had comprised almost a quarter of Turkey's
economy in 2000, fell to 14% in 2016. Likewise, economic outputs from government and leisure and
hospitality sectors accounted for 12% and 17% respectively; however, both these figures had
declined by 3% by 2016. In contrast, contributions from healthcare and education sector remained
constant at 17% in both years.

DESCRIBING SHARES

 In 1990, the tourism sector made up / constituted / accounted for / comprised 15% of the
total revenues.
 In 1990, 15% of the total revenues came from the tourism sector.
 In 1990, 15% of the total revenues was derived from the tourism sector.
 In 1990, the tourism sector was responsible for 15% of the total revenues.
 In 1990, the tourism sector produced 15% of the total revenues.
 In 1990, the tourism sector generated 15% of the total revenues.

PRACTICE

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The pie charts below show the comparison of different kinds of energy production in France in
1995 and 2005.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Below are the steps you should follow to describe the information.
1. Analyze the task and the charts
2. Write the introduction by re-phrasing the question
3. Write the overview by reporting the most general features
4. Divide the data into TWO or THREE paragraphs in a logical way.
5. Write the body paragraphs.

Lesson 4:
 Describing tables

Describing an IELTS table is similar to describing other charts. The same structures of comparison and
contrast are used or language of change if the table is over time.
A table is just another way to present information; it does not require that you learn a new type of
language or a new way to organize things.
Below is a sample Task 1 table:

The table illustrates the proportion of monthly household income five European countries
spend on food and drink, housing, clothing and entertainment.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons
where relevant.

1. Analyze the task and the graph.

2. Write the introduction by paraphrasing the question

The table shows the amount of household income that five countries in Europe spend per
month on four items.
3. Now we need to write an overview of the table by selecting and reporting TWO or THREE key
features. In this example, it is clear that food & drink and housing had greater proportions, while the
opposite was true for clothing and entertainment. That’s what we’re going to report in our overview
paragraph.

It is noticeable that all five countries spend the majority of their income on food and drink and
housing, but much less on clothing and entertainment.
4. Now we have reached the critical part: Grouping the information in a sensible way. This time we
seem to have no better option but to group the data according to our overview paragraph – that is, food
& drink and housing in Body Paragraph 1 and clothing and entertainment in Body Paragraph 2.

5. Since we must avoid reporting every single figure, we should underline or highlight the key figures
only, such as the biggest and smallest percentages. At the same time, we should make comparisons
wherever possible.

Housing is the largest expenditure item for France, Germany and the UK, with all of them
spending around one third of their income on this, at 31%, 33% and 37%, respectively. In
contrast, they spend around a quarter on food and drink. However, this pattern is reversed for
Turkey and Spain, who spend around a fifth of their income on housing, but approximately one
third on food and drink.

All five countries spend much less on the remaining two items. For clothing, France and Spain
spend the least, at less than 10%, while the other three countries spend around the same
amount, ranging between 11% and 15%. At 19%, Germany spends the most on entertainment,
whereas UK and Turkey spend approximately half this amount, with France and Spain's
spending between those other three nations.

COHESIVE DEVICES:

The table shows the amount of household income that five countries in Europe spend per month on
four items.
It is noticeable that all five countries spend the majority of their income on food and drink and
housing, but much less on clothing and entertainment.

Housing is the largest expenditure item for France, Germany and the UK, with all of them spending
around one third of their income on this, at 30%, 33% and 37%, respectively. In contrast, they spend
around a quarter on food and drink. However, this pattern is reversed for Turkey and Spain, who
spend around a fifth of their income on housing, but approximately one third on food and drink.

All five countries spend much less on the remaining two items. For clothing, France and Spain spend
the least, at less than 10%, while the other three countries spend around the same amount, ranging
between 11% and 15%. At 19%, Germany spends the most on entertainment, whereas UK and
Turkey spend approximately half this amount, with France and Spain's spending between those other
three nations.

PRACTICE
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below shows the worldwide market share of the notebook computer market for
manufacturers in the years 2006 and 2007.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

The steps to follow are listed below:

1. Analyze the task and the table

2. Write the introduction by re-phrasing the question
3. Identify TWO or THREE key features to report in the overview paragraph (In this example, we
should report the highest and lowest figures in both years)
4. Divide the data into two paragraphs in a logical way. If you’ve decided to do it according to rises and
falls, put pluses (+) and minuses (-) on the table accordingly.
5. Now you should start writing your body paragraphs. While reporting figures and changes, try to
make comparisons and use approximation where possible.