Pie charts and Multiple charts

I. PRE-WRITING
1. Definition and Characteristics
* Pie charts:
- A pie chart is a circular graph that is divided into segments. It looks like a pizza cut into
uneven slices.
- A pie chart shows the relationship between the parts and the whole. The circle itself
represents 100 percent of something, and each slice represents a certain percentage of that
thing.
* Multiple charts and graphs:
- In Task 1, there will often be two or three charts to compare. Often, these charts represent
different time periods.
- They may be the same type, e.g., two line graphs, or there may be two different types, e.g.
a pie chart and a table.

(Adapted from Rogers, B., & Kenny, N. (2016). The Complete Guide to Ielts: Students book: Band 5.5-7+. National Geographic
Learning, Cengage Learning.)

An example of multiple charts (Exercise 2, page 209)

The percentage of electricity generated by Wind power generation around the world
wind power by various countries and
areas in 2011

(Source: Rogers, B., & Kenny, N. (2016). The Complete Guide to Ielts: Students book: Band 5.5-7+. National Geographic Learning,
Cengage Learning.)

2. Structure of pie charts & multiple charts

Type 1: one pie chart
 Introduction Explain in your own words what the chart is showing
(Paraphrase the question)
(1-2 sentences)
Make sure that your introduction can answer these questions:
1. What does the pie chart(s) show or represent?
2. What time period is reported?
3. What place is reported?
Overview Describe general trend(s) or main features of the chart.
- Group the most noticeable features of the pie chart (e.g., the
(1-2 sentences)
highest proportion, the main difference/similarity, etc.)
Body 1 Describe (and compare) data, starting with the most
important parts.
(2-3 sentences)
- This part is to include more detailed information about the data
in the graphic.
- Give evidence to support your first 1 or 2 key features (e.g.,
the categories with the highest percentages or the categories
with an increasing trend)

- Focus on:
+ The greatest proportion/ second greatest proportion
+ The quarter/ half/ a third, etc.
Body 2 Describe (and compare) data of the remaining chart
- Do the same thing for the remaining chart (describing and
(2-3 sentences)
comparing with data following the key features (e.g., the
categories with the highest/ lowest percentages or the
categories with an increasing/decreasing trend))

Type 2: multiple charts

The easiest way is to describe each chart in 1 body paragraph and compare or contrast where
relevant.

Introduction Explain in your own words what the charts are showing
(Paraphrase the question)
(1-2 sentences)
Make sure that your introduction can answer these questions:
1. What do the charts show or represent?
 2. What time period is reported?
3. What place is reported?
4. What is the unit of measurement?
You can use the word “and” or “while” to connect information
about the charts in one sentence.
Overview Describe general trend(s) or main features of the charts
- Describe the general trends or main features of both charts
(1-2 sentences)
- Compare if necessary (optional)
Body 1 Describe (and compare) data of the first chart
- This part is to include more detailed information about the data
(2-3 sentences)
in the first chart.
- Give evidence (data) to support your first 1 or 2 key features
(e.g. the categories with the highest/ lowest percentages or the
categories with an increasing/decreasing trend)
Body 2 Describe (and compare) data of the remaining chart
- Do the same thing for the remaining chart (describing and
(2-3 sentences)
comparing with data following the key features (e.g., the
categories with the highest/ lowest percentages or the
categories with an increasing/decreasing trend))

*Notes:

- Do not discuss specific data in the overview.

- If you do NOT give any overview, you will get below band 5 for the Task Achievement
criterion.
- You do not have to describe every single detail in the body paragraphs. Focus on the
biggest or most important proportions instead.

3. Useful language
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

The percentage of electricity generated by

wind power by various countries and Wind power generation around the world
areas in 2011
1. Introduction:
- The chart(s) + illustrate(s)/ compare(s)/ show(s)/ present(s)/ depict(s)/ give(s) + the
comparison of/ the differences/ the changes/ the number of/ information on/ data on +
information about the 1st graph + and + information about the 2nd graph.
Example:
The charts present information on the proportion of electricity produced by wind in 2011
across various nations and regions and the total amount of this type of energy generated
globally during a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020.
or:
- The 1st graph shows/ illustrates + information about the 1st graph + connecting words (and/
while/ ; meanwhile,) + The 2nd graph illustrates/ presents + information about the 2nd graph.
Example:
The pie chart illustrates the proportion of electricity produced by wind in 2011 across various
nations and regions, while the bar chart presents the total amount of this type of energy that
was generated globally during a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020.
2. Overview:
- In general,...
- Overall,...
- It is obvious/ clear that ...
- As can be seen, ...
Example:
In general, the major portion of wind electricity was mainly contributed by China and India,
and wind electricity saw a significant increase in the total amount generated around the world.
3. Body paragraphs:

* Language to describe:
NUMBERS AND AMOUNTS

1.
A/an + adj + number + of + countable N + plural V
important percentage
large proportion
significant fraction
major segment
tiny share
small
E.g. A tiny fraction of the total number of applicants to this university is accepted.
A small percentage of female teachers were employed by this university in 2013.
2.
A/an + adj + amount + of + uncountable N + singular V
important percentage
large proportion
significant fraction
major segment
tiny share
small
E.g.
An important percentage of Canada's electricity is generated by hydroelectric power.
A larger proportion of the national budget is spent on the military than on anything else.
Only a small segment of the population agrees with this idea.
Adapted from: The complete guide to IELTS.

- When something constitutes a large portion of the total value:

a significant/ vast majority + of + N
E.g.: A significant majority of the roads in this district are unpaved.
- When something only accounts for a tiny proportion of the total value:
a mere + [number] + percent + of + N
E.g.: The company's revenue could only account for a mere 10 percent of the total market
share.
 FRACTION/ PERCENTAGE

three quarters / 75 per cent / three out of four

a half / one half / 50 per cent / one out of two / one in two

a third / one third / one out of three / one in three

a quarter / 25 per cent / one out of four / one in four

a tenth / one tenth / 10 per cent / one out of ten / one in ten

VERBS TO DESCRIBE PERCENTAGES/ FRACTIONS

account for Rice accounts for about a third of their diet.
make up Poisonous snakes make up only about ten percent of all snakes.
represent Accidents that occur when drivers are texting represent about a quarter
of the total number of car accidents.
constitute Rental properties constitute about a third of all the company's assets.

(Source: Rogers, B., & Kenny, N. (2016). The Complete Guide to Ielts: Students book: Band 5.5-7+. National Geographic Learning,
Cengage Learning )

*Linking words
- To make it clearer, you can use the following phrases to indicate which graph you are talking
about:
- With regards to ...
- Regarding ...
- As can be seen from ...
E.g.
Regarding the pie chart, it is obvious that China and India accounted for the largest percentage
of wind power.
- You should also link your sentences using transitional words and phrases.
The percentage of electricity generated Wind power generation around the
by wind power by various countries and world
areas in 2011

Comparison (Similarities)
Similarly,
S + V + O.
Likewise,
Example: China generated a significant fraction of the wind power in 2011. Similarly, India
also contributed a large proportion to the world's wind electricity in the same year.

Like + N, S + V + O.
Unlike
Example: Unlike China, a mere 6.8% of the global wind energy was generated in the US.

Noun phrase 1 + and + noun phrase 2 + are alike (in that) + S + V + O.

Example: The US and the rest of Europe are alike in that they accounted for the smallest
proportion of the world’s wind power.

Contrast (Differences)
However,
On the other hand, S + V + O.
By/ In contrast,
Example: In 2011, only 7.6% of the world's wind power was generated by the rest of
Europe. However, the contribution to this alternative energy was almost double in the rest
of the world.

Although S + V + O, S1 + V1 + O1.
 While
Whereas
Example: In 2011, although only 7.6% of the world's wind power was generated by the rest
of Europe, the contribution to this alternative energy was almost double in the rest of the
world.

4. Analyzing a sample task

Task 1. Look at the chart below (SB, p.215) and answer the questions.
The charts below give information about the origin of crude oil imports to the US in 2012
and about the percentage of imports as a share of US crude oil comsumption.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Origin of crude oil imports to the US in 2012

Percentage of imports as a share of US crude oil consumption

(Source: Rogers, B., & Kenny, N. (2016). The Complete Guide to Ielts: Students book: Band 5.5-7+. National Geographic Learning,
Cengage Learning.)

1. What information does the pie chart provide?

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. What information does the bar chart provide?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the time period? What verb tenses are required?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the unit of measurement in each chart?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. What are some striking features in the pie chart?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
6. What are some striking features in the bar chart?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. Is it possible to compare and contrast the two charts? Why (not)?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
8. How do you organize the information from the charts?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Task 2. Use the words or phrases in the box to complete the description about
the charts above.

the majority the percentage illustrates with regards to

demonstrates just under accounted for

The pie chart (1) _______________ the origin of oil consumed in the US in 2012, while the bar
chart (2) _______________ the quantity of imported oil used in the country over an eight-year
period. Overall, the US produced (3) _______________ of its crude oil domestically and
gradually reduced its dependence on imported oil.

(4) _______________ the pie chart, it is obvious that crude oil produced within the US (5)
_______________ over a third of the total oil imported, making it the largest contributor to the
country's oil. Canada followed in second place, with (6) _______________ a quarter of oil
imports. The remaining 37% of oil came from regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Latin
America, and others, with the ratio of 17%, 8%, 9%, and 3%, respectively.

Turning to the bar chart, in 2005 and 2006, the US relied heavily on imported oil, as it made up
the majority of the oil consumed in the country. However, from 2007 to 2012, (7)
_______________ of imported oil decreased consistently from roughly 56% to only 40%.

5. Brainstorm ideas
Look at the bar chart below (SB, p.217) and do the following tasks.
The visuals give information about the number of spacecraft launched by various
national governments between 1957 and 2007 and the purpose of each mission. Write a
report for a university lecturer summarizing the most important information in the
visuals.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main feature, and make
comparions where relevant.

The number of spacecraft launched by national governments, 1957-2007

 The purposes for which spacecraft were launched, 1957-2007

Task 3. Analyze the charts by answering the following questions.

1. What information does the pie chart provide?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. What information does the bar chart provide?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the time period? What verb tenses are required?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the unit of measurement in each chart?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. What are some striking features in the pie chart?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
6. What are some striking features in the bar chart?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. Is it possible to compare and contrast the two charts? Why (not)?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
8. How do you organize the information from the charts?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Task 4. Complete the outline for the charts based on the ideas in Task 3 and the
useful language in Pre-writing.

Paragraph 1: _____________________________________________________
Introduction _____________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: _____________________________________________________
Overview _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________
Paragraph 3: Body 1
_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________
Paragraph 4: Body 2
_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________
Task 5. Write complete sentences with the given clues and the information from
the charts.
1. Overall, Russia and the United States ________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

2. Specifically, the Soviet Union/Russia launched the highest number of spacecrafts, with a total
of 3,484, accounting for _____________________________________________________
3. In contrast, the other countries ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. With regard to the reasons behind the missions, communications ________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Furthermore, surveillance ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________