Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Average percentages of three unhealthy nutrients consumed in typical daily meals

The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

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

Sodium
  • Breakfast: 14
  • Lunch: 29
  • Dinner: 43
  • Snacks: 14
View the data
CategoryValue
Breakfast14
Lunch29
Dinner43
Snacks14
Saturated fat
  • Breakfast: 16
  • Lunch: 26
  • Dinner: 37
  • Snacks: 21
View the data
CategoryValue
Breakfast16
Lunch26
Dinner37
Snacks21
Added Sugar
  • Breakfast: 16
  • Lunch: 19
  • Dinner: 23
  • Snacks: 42
View the data
CategoryValue
Breakfast16
Lunch19
Dinner23
Snacks42

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 three pie charts illustrate the distribution of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar across four meal categories: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Overall, dinner represents the most significant contributor to sodium and saturated fat consumption, while snacks are the leading source of added sugar.

Regarding sodium, dinner accounts for the highest proportion at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks contribute equally to sodium intake, each comprising 14%. A similar pattern is observed for saturated fat, where dinner remains the largest source at 37%, followed by lunch at 26%. Snacks contribute 21% of saturated fat, while breakfast accounts for the smallest share at 16%.

In contrast, the consumption of added sugar follows a different trend. Snacks are the primary source, making up 42% of the total, which is nearly double the contribution of dinner at 23%. Lunch and breakfast provide 19% and 16% of added sugar, respectively. While dinner is the dominant source for the first two nutrients, it is surpassed by snacks in the context of added sugar, highlighting distinct dietary patterns for these specific components.

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

How to write about pie charts

contributor
something that helps to cause or provide something
comprising
consisting of or made up of specific parts
surpassed
to be greater than or exceed in amount
proportion
a part or share in relation to whole
distribution
the way in which something is shared out
dominant
more important, powerful, or noticeable than others

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Dinner is the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks account for the largest proportion of added sugar intake.

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.

More pie charts