This task 1 pie chart includes four pie charts that need to be compared. It’s also set partly in the future so you need to think about the language that you will use.
Analysing the Pie Chart
If you look at the pie chart, you’ll see that there are two countries to compare.
You need to make sure that you make comparisons as you are asked to do this in the prompt.
Remember to look for the important data/changes to place into your overview.
Very important is also the fact that the graph is in the future. So you need to make use of future tenses, not just the past tense.
Now take a look at the model answer.
Task 1 Pie Chart Example
| You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 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. Write at least 150 words. |
Model Answer
The bar charts compare three age ranges of people in Yemen and Italy for the year 2000 and predictions for 2050. While Yemen will see the domination of 0-14 year-olds in their population overtaken by 15-59-year-olds in 2050, the dominant population in Italy, 15-59-year-olds, remains the same over the period, albeit at a far lower percentage by 2050.
In 2020, while 0-14 year-olds made up just over half of the population in Yemen, this accounted for only 14.3% of Italy’s population. The predominant age group in Italy was those aged 15-59, at 61.6%, and in Yemen, this group was also fairly large, at 46.3%. In Yemen, the 60+ age group was very small, representing just 3.6% of the overall population. In contrast, this group made up just under a quarter of people in Italy.
By 2050, the population composition in Yemen will have changed noticeably, with 15-59-year-olds expected to replace the younger age group as the dominant category, at 57.3% and 37% respectively. The 60+ age range will experience only a slight increase. However, in Italy, it is the 60+ age group that is predicted to see the greatest change, rising to just over 42%. Unlike Yemen, the greatest change will be seen in the percentage of those over 60, rising to 42.3%. The 0-14 group will see a slight fall.
(236 Words)
Comment about the answer
The Task 1 pie chart makes good comparisons between the countries and years. It’s always important to make comparisons between the features you are presented with. Data is also appropriately selected to support the points.
There is also good use of language. The language for the data is varied, with not only the actual percentages used, but also other words, such as ‘quarter’ and ‘half’. There is language showing change (e.g. slight increase, rising to) but also language to make comparisons (e.g. far lower, in contrast, unlike).
Importantly, both the past and future tenses are used. For instance, these future phrases are used to discuss 2050:
- will see
- will have changed noticeably
- expected to
- is predicted to
There is also a good mix and range of complex forms and structures present in the response.
Evaluation of the model answer
Task Achievement: Band 7
The report successfully compares the age structure of Yemen and Italy for the year 2000 and makes predictions for 2050. It identifies key trends, such as the shift in dominant age groups in Yemen and the increase in the elderly population in Italy. However, the report could be improved by including more specific figures, such as the predicted percentages for Italy’s 0-14 and 15-59 age groups in 2050. Some repetition of information in the last paragraph also weakens the clarity.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is well-organized, with a clear structure that compares the data for both countries in 2000 and 2050. Cohesive devices like “while,” “in contrast,” and “however” effectively link the different points. However, the repetition of the sentence “the greatest change will be seen in the percentage of those over 60” could be rephrased to improve flow and avoid redundancy.
Lexical Resource: Band 7
The vocabulary used is appropriate and sufficiently varied, with good use of terms like “dominant population,” “predominant age group,” and “population composition.” However, some repetition, particularly of the term “greatest change,” could be avoided by using synonyms or rephrasing for greater variety. Additionally, more specific vocabulary to describe trends (e.g., “decline,” “increase,” “rise significantly”) could strengthen the lexical range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The report demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures, with a mix of simple and complex sentences. There is accurate use of comparative structures, passive voice, and time markers. The grammar is mostly accurate, but a few sentences could be restructured to improve clarity and eliminate repetition. For instance, “this group made up just under a quarter of people in Italy” could be rephrased for better readability.
Overall Band: 7.5
This report is clear and well-structured, providing a good overview of the key trends in the data. To achieve a higher band, the response should avoid repetition, include more specific figures for the predicted changes, and use a wider range of vocabulary and sentence structures to describe the data. Nonetheless, it provides an effective comparison of the two countries’ population age ranges.
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