This post
features a sample band 9 task 1 pie chart answer and examiner feedback.
Below is a
writing task 1 pie chart question on the changing populations of two countries
over time.
This post will include:
This post will include:
1. example question
2. checklist
3. structure
4. sample answer
5. examiner’s report
You should try
to answer the question before reading the sample answer and then compare what you
have written. You can ask me any questions about this post on the IELTS Facebook Page.
The charts below give information on the ages of
the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,
and make comparisons where relevant.
1. Checklist
In order to
answer this task effectively we need to ask ourselves some questions
beforehand. Below is a checklist which shows you how I think about IELTS
writing task 1 chart questions.
1. What kind of chart
is it? This is a pie chart and we will therefore have to use different
language sometimes as compared to other charts. For example, with pie charts we
are more likely to use the language of proportions.
2. What does the title say about the chart? The title gives us all the basic information we need to answer the question. We should read this at least twice to make sure we fully understand the question.
3. What information is contained on both axes? There are no axes in this question because it is a pie chart.
4. What are the
units of measurements? The units of measurements are principally ages
and percentages. We will therefore have to use specific language for
percentages.
5. What groups are compared? There are two countries (Yemen and Italy) and three age groups.
6. What is the
time period? This is very important because it will affect
the tense we use. There are two different time periods - 2000 and 2050. We will
therefore have to use past and future tenses.
7. What is the
most obvious thing that the data shows you? The two most obvious things
are that Italy had a much older population than Yemen in 2000 (or Yemen had a
younger population) and both populations are predicted to be much older in the
future.
8. What is the
most important or significant piece of information displayed? The fact
that Yemen has a very small proportion of people over 60.
9. Can any
comparisons be made? Yes, the observations we made in points 7 and 8
above.
10. Is it a static chart or dynamic chart? There are four static charts but put together and they are dynamic i.e. it changes over time and this will be reflected in the language you use.
I am not
suggesting that you write these ten questions out in the exam, it would take
too long, however I do tell my students to use this checklist when they are
practicing. If you think about the ten things above, you have a much better
chance of answering the question effectively. If you practice enough, you will
mentally ask yourself these questions every time you answer a task 1 IELTS
question.
2. Structure
For pie charts
I advise my students to use a simple four paragraph structure.
Paragraph 1
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase
question
Paragraph 2
Sentence 1 - Overview of
first main feature.
Sentence 2 -
Overview of second main feature.
Paragraph 3
2-3 sentences
detailing first main feature.
Paragraph 4
2-3 sentences
detailing second main feature.
3. Task
Try using the
checklist and structure above to try and answer the question before looking
at the answer below. This is a really useful exercise because you will identify
the areas you need to work on and making mistakes and then fixing them is the
key to success in IELTS.
Answer
The pie charts compare the proportions of Italian and Yemeni citizens in
three age groups in 2000 and projections for 2050.
It is clear that Yemen had the younger population in the year 2000, and
the same is predicted for the year 2050. The populations of both countries are
predicted to get older over the 50 year period.
In 2000 just over half the Yemeni population were under 14, compared to
just over 14% of Italians in the same age group. Only a very small percentage
of people in Yemen were over 60 at 3.6%, in contrast to nearly a quarter of the
Italian population. The two largest groups for both Italy and Yemen fell into
the 15-59 age group with just over 60% and 46.3% respectively.
Yemen’s average age is set to increase with the proportion of over 60s
increasing by just over 2% and the middle group rising by 11%, leaving the
youngest group with a decrease of nearly 13%. It is envisaged that by 2050 the
number of people in Italy over 60 will jump to 42.3%, the percentage of those in
the youngest bracket will drop to 11.5% and the share in the middle category
will decrease to 46.2%.
Examiner’s Report
The answer
addresses the task, reporting the main features and reporting enough detail for
the reader to be completely informed. Very clear comparisons are made between
the two countries throughout the essay. A very clear overview is given
that gives a general picture of both countries, all age groups and both times.
The information is very well organised with good linking phrases such as ‘in
contrast to’, ‘respectively’ and ‘It is envisaged’. Vocabulary is wide ranging
and accurate with words such as ‘Yemeni’, ‘bracket’, ‘category’ and
‘proportion’. Data is described well with words and phrases such as ‘over
half’, ‘just over’, ‘jump to’ and ‘drop to’ put to good use. The range of
grammatical structures is both wide ranging and accurate with past, present and
future tenses used effectively.
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