Writing · Unit 3: Core strategies
W25: Task 1 mixed charts
Target band 6.5 to 7
Sometimes Task 1 gives you two different visuals together, like a line graph and a pie chart, or a table and a bar chart. Students often panic, because they feel they have to write two full reports in 20 minutes. You don't. You write one report that covers the main features of both, and links them where possible.
Why this matters
Mixed charts test whether you can select. With two visuals, there's even more data, so describing everything is impossible. A clear structure that gives each visual its own paragraph keeps you in control.
The structure
- Introduction: describe what both visuals show, in one or two sentences.
- Overview: one main feature from each visual.
- Body 1: the first visual.
- Body 2: the second visual.
If there's a natural link between the two, mention it. But don't invent connections that aren't there.
The data
Visual 1 (line graph): Number of international students at a university, 2015 to 2025.
| Year | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2021 | 2023 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 1,200 | 1,500 | 1,900 | 1,600 | 2,400 | 3,000 |
Visual 2 (pie chart): Region of origin of international students in 2025.
| Region | Share |
|---|---|
| South Asia | 40% |
| East Asia | 25% |
| Africa | 15% |
| Middle East | 10% |
| Europe | 6% |
| Other | 4% |
Finding the story
- Line graph: overall growth, with a dip in 2021, then rapid growth. 1,200 became 3,000.
- Pie chart: South Asia is the largest group by far. Europe and "Other" are small.
Model answer (about 180 words)
The line graph shows how the number of international students at a university changed between 2015 and 2025, while the pie chart shows where these students came from in 2025.
Overall, international student numbers rose substantially over the decade, despite a temporary fall in 2021. In 2025, South Asia was by far the largest source of these students.
In 2015, the university had 1,200 international students. This figure grew steadily to 1,900 by 2019, before falling to 1,600 in 2021. After this, numbers rose sharply, reaching 2,400 in 2023 and 3,000 in 2025, two and a half times the 2015 level.
Looking at the 2025 figures in more detail, students from South Asia made up 40% of the total, followed by East Asia at a quarter. Together, these two regions accounted for almost two thirds of all international students. Africa and the Middle East contributed 15% and 10% respectively, while Europe and other regions represented only a small fraction, at 6% and 4%.
Why this answer works
- Introduction covers both visuals clearly.
- Overview has one key point from each visual.
- One paragraph per visual, so it's easy to follow.
- Phrases that link: Looking at the 2025 figures in more detail.
Try it yourself
Write an overview sentence for this pair: a bar chart showing rice production rising from 2010 to 2025, and a pie chart showing that 60% of rice is used for home consumption.
Sample answer: "Overall, rice production increased steadily over the period, and the majority of the rice produced was used for home consumption."
Honest note
With mixed charts, it's normal to give fewer details from each visual. Two strong paragraphs with well-chosen numbers beat two rushed paragraphs with every number.
Your task today
Find a mixed chart task in a Cambridge book. Write only the introduction and overview, in five minutes.