Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Comparison of news consumption methods in Canada and Australia

The pie charts compare ways of accessing the news in Canada and Australia.

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

Canada (%)

TV: 40%
Radio: 7%
Print: 14%
Online: 36%
Not specified: 3%

View the data

Category	Value (%)
TV	40
Radio	7
Print	14
Online	36
Not specified	3

Australia (%)

TV: 37%
Radio: 2%
Print: 7%
Online: 52%
Not specified: 2%

View the data

Category	Value (%)
TV	37
Radio	2
Print	7
Online	52
Not specified	2

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 pie charts illustrate the distribution of various methods used to access news in Canada and Australia. Overall, it is evident that digital and television platforms are the most popular means of news consumption in both countries, although the specific preferences differ significantly between the two.

In Canada, television is the most favoured medium, accounting for 40% of news consumption, followed closely by online sources at 36%. Print media constitutes 14% of the total, while radio and unspecified sources represent smaller portions at 7% and 3% respectively.

Conversely, Australia exhibits a stronger reliance on the internet, with online news consumption reaching 52%, which is the highest figure across both charts. Television remains a significant source at 37%, yet it is less dominant than in Canada. The remaining methods in Australia are notably less popular; print media accounts for 7%, while radio and unspecified sources each contribute only 2% to the total. In summary, while Canadians lean towards television for their news, Australians show a distinct preference for online platforms, with both countries showing minimal engagement with radio and print media compared to digital and television channels.

186 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.

account for: to make up a specific proportion or percentage
constitute: to be the parts that form a whole
favoured: preferred or chosen more often than others
dominance: having more power or influence than others
conversely: used to introduce a contrasting or opposite idea
minimal: the smallest amount or degree possible

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

While television is the primary news source in Canada, online platforms dominate in Australia, with both nations showing a clear preference for digital and broadcast media over print and radio.

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.