IELTS lesson · Writing

IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Chart notesPie charts: shares, not amounts

Three moves for slices and pies, so you never mistake a percentage for a count. This IELTS lesson is a deck of 10 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 10 cards
  • 3 cards free
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

It teaches a 3-step method: name the whole, rank the slices and compare the pies. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a model answer with its key moves highlighted, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

With a free BandLadder account you can read the first three cards online in our study reader, on the web and in the app. The other 7 cards and the PDF download come with any plan.

The first 2 of 10 cards

Preview

  1. IELTSWriting · Task 1 · Pie chart

    A slice is a share, not a count

    the pie-chart slip to avoid

    A pie shows how a whole is divided. Unless it gives a total, a percentage can't become an amount.

    Wind power grew by 22 units of electricityno units on a pie between 1990 and 2020, while coal shrank by 27 unitssame slip.

    The pies give percentages only. No units, no totals.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 10
  2. IELTSWriting · Task 1 · Pie chart

    Meet the pies

    1990 and 2020, as a table

    Corvale: sources of electricity (% of total)
    Source19902020
    Coal48%21%
    Gas27%32%
    Nuclear15%12%
    Wind4%26%
    Other6%9%
    Total100%100%

    The exam draws these as two pies; here they are in a table. Sample data, made up by BandLadder.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 10
  3. Card 3 of 10 onwards

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10 cards

Contents

  1. 1A slice is a share, not a countthe pie-chart slip to avoidIn the preview
  2. 2Meet the pies1990 and 2020, as a tableIn the preview
  3. 3Whole, slices, piesthree moves for every pie chartFree account
  4. 4Move 1: name the wholewhat does 100% mean here?With a plan
  5. 5Move 2: rank the slicesbiggest and smallest, pie by pieWith a plan
  6. 6Move 3: compare the piesthe same slice, two piesWith a plan
  7. 7Two habits to swapshares, not amounts; points, not percentWith a plan
  8. 8One paragraph, four jobsa Band 8-style answer, markedWith a plan
  9. 9Your turnsame pies, three quick checksWith a plan
  10. 10Save thisthe pie-chart checklistWith a plan

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FAQ

Is the Pie charts: shares, not amounts lesson free?+

The first three cards are free to read online with a free BandLadder account. The full lesson opens with any plan.

Can I download the Pie charts: shares, not amounts PDF?+

The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for IELTS Academic or General Training?+

It is written for IELTS Academic.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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