This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of a pie chart showing what a bookseller sells from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay Task 1: Bookseller Pie Charts

The pie charts detail sales by a bookseller between 1972 and 2012 according to genre. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that adult fiction became by far the most popular type at the expense of the genres which declined in popularity (others, biography, and travel). Interest in children’s fiction also increased.

In 1972, this particular bookseller sold relatively equal proportions of each type with others leading at 25%, followed by adult fiction, children’s fiction, and biography all at 20%, and travel lowest at 15%. By 1992, adult fiction had risen by 5%, while others and biography declined by the same number. Travel and children’s fiction grew by 3% and 2%, respectively.

In the final year surveyed, adult fiction surged to 45% and children’s fiction ticked up slightly to 25%. The rise of adult fiction was compensated for by dramatic drops for the remaining genres with others finishing at 12%, travel at 10%, and biography 8%.

Analysis

1. The pie charts detail sales by a bookseller between 1972 and 2012 according to genre. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that adult fiction became by far the most popular type at the expense of the genres which declined in popularity (others, biography, and travel). 3. Interest in children’s fiction also increased.

  1. Paraphrase what the table shows.
  2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
  3. You might need another sentence for your overview.

1. In 1972, this particular bookseller sold relatively equal proportions of each type with others leading at 25%, followed by adult fiction, children’s fiction, and biography all at 20%, and travel lowest at 15%. 2. By 1992, adult fiction had risen by 5%, while others and biography declined by the same number. 3. Travel and children’s fiction grew by 3% and 2%, respectively.

  1. Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
  2. Make sure you compare as much as possible.
  3. Don’t leave anything out!

1. In the final year surveyed, adult fiction surged to 45% and children’s fiction ticked up slightly to 25%. 2. The rise of adult fiction was compensated for by dramatic drops for the remaining genres with others finishing at 12%, travel at 10%, and biography 8%.

  1. Write about the final, other parts of the graph – include everything!
  2. Compare the categories.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:

The pie charts detail sales by a bookseller between 1972 and 2012 according to genre. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that adult fiction became by far the most popular type at the expense of the genres which declined in popularity (others, biography, and travel). Interest in children’s fiction also increased.

In 1972, this particular bookseller sold relatively equal proportions of each type with others leading at 25%, followed by adult fiction, children’s fiction, and biography all at 20%, and travel lowest at 15%. By 1992, adult fiction had risen by 5%, while others and biography declined by the same number. Travel and children’s fiction grew by 3% and 2%, respectively.

In the final year surveyed, adult fiction surged to 45% and children’s fiction ticked up slightly to 25%. The rise of adult fiction was compensated for by dramatic drops for the remaining genres with others finishing at 12%, travel at 10%, and biography 8%.

Answers

Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:

detail show

sales how much was sold

bookseller person who sells books

according to genre by type

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall

adult fiction stories and novels

by far a lot more than

most popular much more common

at the expense of to the detriment of

declined in decreased

popularity prevalence

others other types of books and genres

biography books about a person

travel going to other places

interest in caring about

children’s fiction kid’s books

particular especially

relatively equal proportions kind of the same

leading at highest at

followed by after that

lowest the least

risen has grown

grew rose

respectively for each

in the final year surveyed the last year detailed

surged grew a lot

ticked up slightly increased a little

compensated for made up the difference

dramatic drops huge decreases

remaining left over

finishing at ending at

Pronunciation

Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:

ˈdiːteɪl 
seɪlz 
ˈbʊkˌsɛlə 
əˈkɔːdɪŋ tuː ˈ(d)ʒɑːŋrə
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪvɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt ˈædʌlt ˈfɪkʃən 
baɪ fɑː 
məʊst ˈpɒpjʊlə 
æt ði ɪksˈpɛns ɒv 
dɪˈklaɪnd ɪn 
ˌpɒpjʊˈlærɪti 
ˈʌðəz
baɪˈɒgrəfi
ˈtrævl
ˈɪntrɪst ɪn 
ˈʧɪldrənz ˈfɪkʃən 
pəˈtɪkjʊlə 
ˈrɛlətɪvli ˈiːkwəl prəˈpɔːʃənz 
ˈliːdɪŋ æt 
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ 
ˈləʊɪst 
ˈrɪzn 
gruː 
rɪsˈpɛktɪvli
ɪn ðə ˈfaɪnl jɪə sɜːˈveɪd
sɜːʤd 
tɪkt ʌp ˈslaɪtli 
ˈkɒmpɛnseɪtɪd fɔː 
drəˈmætɪk drɒps 
rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ 
ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ æt 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:

The pie charts d_____________s by a b__________r between 1972 and 2012 a_________________e. L______________________________________________t a________________n became b_______r the m______________r type a______________________f the genres which d_____________________y (o_________s, b____________y, and t_______l). I____________n c___________________n also increased.

In 1972, this p_________________r bookseller sold r______________________________s of each type with others l_____________t 25%, f_____________y adult fiction, children’s fiction, and biography all at 20%, and travel l_________t at 15%. By 1992, adult fiction had r_____n by 5%, while others and biography declined by the same number. Travel and children’s fiction g____w by 3% and 2%, r_____________y.

I________________________d, adult fiction s________d to 45% and children’s fiction t_________________y to 25%. The rise of adult fiction was c__________________r by d______________s for the r___________g genres with others f_____________t 12%, travel at 10%, and biography 8%.

Listening Practice

Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/best-bookstores-around-the-world/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Books

  1. What genres are popular in your country?
  2. How does the film industry impact booksellers in your country?
  3. How can people be encouraged to read more?
  4. Are there any drawbacks to reading too often?
  5. What are differences between reading a real book and an online one?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related chart below and then check with my sample answer:

IELTS Essay Task 1: Pie Charts Energy

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