Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Average household expenditure in Japan and Malaysia in the year 2010

The pie charts below show the average household expenditures in Japan and Malaysia in the year 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Japan (%)

Housing: 21%
Transport: 20%
Food: 24%
Health care: 6%
Other goods and services: 29%

View the data

Category	Value (%)
Housing	21
Transport	20
Food	24
Health care	6
Other goods and services	29

Malaysia (%)

Housing: 34%
Transport: 10%
Food: 27%
Health care: 3%
Other goods and services: 26%

View the data

Category	Value (%)
Housing	34
Transport	10
Food	27
Health care	3
Other goods and services	26

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The two pie charts illustrate the distribution of average household spending across five categories in Japan and Malaysia during 2010. Overall, it is evident that housing and other goods and services were the primary expenses in both nations, although the specific proportions varied significantly between the two countries.

In Japan, other goods and services represented the largest share of expenditure at 29%, followed closely by food at 24%. Housing and transport accounted for 21% and 20% respectively, while health care comprised the smallest portion at only 6%.

Conversely, Malaysian households allocated the highest percentage of their budget to housing, which stood at 34%. Food was the second most significant expense at 27%, followed by other goods and services at 26%. Transport costs in Malaysia were notably lower than in Japan, accounting for 10% of total spending. Health care represented the least significant category in Malaysia as well, at a mere 3%, which is half the proportion observed in Japan. In summary, while both countries prioritised similar categories, the relative weight of these expenses differed, particularly regarding housing and transport costs.

180 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about pie charts

Name the largest and smallest shares in the overview.
Use proportion language: a quarter, just under half, the majority.
With two pies, compare the same slice across both.

distribution: the way in which something is shared out
proportion: a part or share of a whole amount
accounted for: to make up a specific amount or share
allocated: to distribute resources for a particular purpose
notably: in a way that is worthy of attention
comprised: to consist of or be made up of

Write your own report and get a band

Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS Academic writing

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app.

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While housing was the largest expenditure in Malaysia, other goods and services accounted for the highest proportion of spending in Japan.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe pie charts?

Name the largest and smallest shares in the overview. Use proportion language: a quarter, just under half, the majority. With two pies, compare the same slice across both.