The charts below show the favourite takeaways of people in Canada and the number of Indian restaurants in Canada between 1960 and 2015.
Sample Response
The pie chart shows which type of takeaway food is the most popular in Canada, while the bar chart shows how many Indian restaurants existed in Canada between 1960 and 2015. We can see that Chinese and Indian takeaways are the favourites, and that the number of Indian restaurants in Canada rose steadily during this period.
The pie chart shows that Chinese and Indian takeaways are much more popular than all the others, at 34% and 26%. There are another two types that quite a lot of people like. These are Italian at 10% and Persian at 9%. Greek, Japanese and Mexican were only chosen by 1% of people.
The pie chart shows us that Indian food is popular and the bar chart shows how its popularity grew. There was a rising trend from 1960 onwards. The increase was greatest in the 1990s, from about 5000 restaurants in 1990 to almost 8000 in 2000. Since 2007, the number has remained stable at just over 9000.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix determiner order Original: There are another two types Suggested revision: There are two other types Why it matters: Two other is the correct order when referring to two additional categories.
- 2. Use data-focused wording Original: that quite a lot of people like Suggested revision: with notable shares Why it matters: The revision is more concise and appropriate for describing chart proportions.
- 3. Clarify each category Original: only Suggested revision: each Why it matters: Each makes clear that the percentage applies separately to all three cuisines.
- 4. Use formal reporting verb Original: shows us that Suggested revision: indicates that Why it matters: Indicates is more concise and suitably formal for an academic report.
- 5. Describe measured quantity Original: how its popularity grew Suggested revision: how the number of Indian restaurants changed Why it matters: Restaurant numbers are measured directly, whereas popularity is only inferred.
- 6. Report slight fluctuation Original: remained stable at just over 9000 Suggested revision: fluctuated slightly around 9,000 Why it matters: The bars dip in 2011 and vary around 9,000 rather than remaining just above that level.
- 7. Sentence rewrite Original: We can see that Chinese and Indian takeaways are the favourites, and that the number of Indian restaurants in Canada rose steadily during this period. Suggested revision: Overall, Chinese and Indian food dominate takeaway preferences, while the number of Indian restaurants rose markedly before levelling off at around 9,000 after 2007. Why it matters: This gives a more accurate overview because the restaurant total does not rise steadily throughout the whole period.
- 8. Include third-largest share Suggested revision: Include the 11% who never order takeaway, as this is the third-largest slice and exceeds the Italian and Persian shares. Why it matters: Omitting this prominent category leaves the pie-chart summary incomplete.
Suggested Rewrites
- There are another two types There are two other types
- that quite a lot of people like with notable shares
- only each
- shows us that indicates that
- how its popularity grew how the number of Indian restaurants changed
- remained stable at just over 9000 fluctuated slightly around 9,000
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a clear overview, accurately highlights the dominant takeaway choices, and describes the restaurant trend with well-chosen figures in a logical three-paragraph structure. Its main limitation is incomplete selection from the pie chart, especially the unmentioned 11% who never order takeaway, alongside some repetitive wording. Add that notable category and use more varied, precise language to make an already strong report more comprehensive.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The key leaders and restaurant trend are accurately selected and supported, but the notable 11% never-order category and several smaller shares are omitted.
Include the 11% who never order takeaway and briefly group the remaining minor categories to complete the visual coverage.
Coherence and Cohesion
The overview and two detail paragraphs form a clear, logical progression, with comparisons and time trends easy to follow throughout.
Reduce repeated openings with The pie chart shows by varying references between the two visuals.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is accurate and sufficiently varied for the data, though repeated uses of shows and popularity slightly limit flexibility and precision.
Use alternatives such as accounted for, represented, and the number of outlets to sharpen the descriptions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence structures is used accurately, and the few minor stylistic lapses do not impede communication.
Refine occasional informal phrasing such as shows us while maintaining the same strong grammatical control.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The charts below show the favourite takeaways of people in Canada and the number of Indian restaurants in Canada between 1960 and 2015.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.