Academic Writing Task 1 · pie chart

Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in an average European home: IELTS Writing Task 1 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 1 pie chart question with a Band 8 sample answer, the chart redrawn with its data, the vocabulary that lifts the report and how to write about pie charts.
  • 180 words
  • Pie charts
  • Academic
  • 20 minutes

The question

The first pie chart shows how energy is used in an average house in a European country. The second chart shows the percentage of greenhouse gas emissions from this energy use in this country.

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

Energy use in an average European house
  • Water heating: 23
  • Cooking: 5
  • Stand by: 5
  • Lighting: 11
  • Refrigeration: 12
  • Heating and cooling: 20
  • Other appliances: 24
View the data
CategoryValue
Water heating23
Cooking5
Stand by5
Lighting11
Refrigeration12
Heating and cooling20
Other appliances24
Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use
  • Water heating: 25
  • Cooking: 4
  • Stand by: 3
  • Lighting: 7
  • Refrigeration: 7
  • Heating and cooling: 38
  • Other appliances: 16
View the data
CategoryValue
Water heating25
Cooking4
Stand by3
Lighting7
Refrigeration7
Heating and cooling38
Other appliances16

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.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8180 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

The two pie charts illustrate the distribution of energy consumption and the corresponding greenhouse gas emissions in an average European household. Overall, it is evident that while energy usage is relatively spread across various categories, greenhouse gas emissions are heavily dominated by heating and cooling.

In terms of energy use, other appliances account for the largest share at 24%, followed closely by water heating at 23% and heating and cooling at 20%. Refrigeration, lighting, cooking, and stand-by power consumption make up the remainder, at 12%, 11%, 5%, and 5% respectively.

Conversely, the profile of greenhouse gas emissions differs significantly. Heating and cooling, which represents only 20% of energy use, is responsible for 38% of total emissions. Water heating also sees an increase in its environmental impact, rising from 23% of energy use to 25% of emissions. In contrast, the proportion of emissions from other appliances drops to 16%, while lighting and refrigeration both decrease to 7%. Finally, cooking and stand-by power contribute the least to emissions, at 4% and 3% respectively, showing a slight decline from their energy consumption shares.

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.

Write a report, get a band free →

Pie charts

How to write about pie charts: tips and vocabulary

  • →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 portion of something

  • corresponding

    related to or associated with a specific item

  • dominated by

    having the most significant influence or share

  • remainder

    the part that is left over after others

  • conversely

    introducing a statement that contrasts with the previous

  • proportion

    a part or share in relation to the whole

Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?+

While other appliances and water heating are the primary energy consumers, heating and cooling is by far the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

How many words and how long for IELTS Writing Task 1?+

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 is IELTS Writing Task 1 scored?+

On four criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. A clear overview of the main features is what most separates Band 6 from Band 7 and above.

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.

Keep practising

More pie charts

© 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

Write a report, get a band free