Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Trends in Per Capita Meat and Poultry Consumption in the US

The graph below shows trends in US meat and poultry consumption. Could you summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant?

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

U.S. Meat & Poultry Consumption, Per Capita, Boneless, By Species (Pounds)

Beef
Pork
Broilers
Turkey

View the data

	1955	1958	1961	1964	1967	1970	1973	1976	1979	1982	1985	1988	1991	1994	1997	2000	2003	2006	2009	2012
Beef	58	60	58	60	72	75	80	80	78	90	75	75	75	68	65	65	68	65	65	55
Pork	52	52	48	50	52	48	52	50	42	45	52	50	50	48	52	50	48	52	50	45
Broilers	–	–	15	18	20	24	25	28	28	32	32	35	40	45	50	52	55	60	60	55
Turkey	5	5	5	5	5	8	8	8	8	8	8	10	15	15	15	15	13	13	15	12

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.

Band 8 sample answer

The line graph illustrates changes in the annual per capita consumption of four different types of meat and poultry in the United States between 1955 and 2012.

Overall, the consumption of broilers saw a consistent and substantial increase over the period, whereas beef consumption, despite being the most popular meat for several decades, witnessed a downward trend from the late 1970s onwards. Pork and turkey consumption remained relatively stable throughout the timeframe.

In 1955, beef was the most consumed meat at 58 pounds per person, while pork consumption stood at 52 pounds. Beef consumption climbed to a peak of 90 pounds in 1979 before declining steadily to 55 pounds by 2012. Conversely, broiler consumption, which began at 15 pounds in 1961, grew consistently to reach 60 pounds by 2006, briefly overtaking beef as the primary meat source.

Pork consumption fluctuated between 42 and 52 pounds throughout the period, ending at 45 pounds in 2012. Turkey remained the least consumed meat, starting at 5 pounds in 1955 and peaking at 15 pounds in the late 1980s and 2000s, before finishing at 12 pounds in 2012.

184 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about line graphs

Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest.
Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn.
Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.

dramatic: a sudden and very noticeable change in trend
surpassed: to become greater in amount than another thing
downward trend: a general movement towards a lower level
fluctuated: to rise and fall irregularly in number
consistently: continuing to happen in the same way
proportion: a part or share in relation to whole

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The most significant trend is the dramatic rise in broiler consumption, which eventually surpassed beef, while beef consumption experienced a notable decline after peaking in the late 1970s.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

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 do I describe line graphs?

Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest. Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn. Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.