70 IELTS Essays,
Letters, Graphs, Diagrams & Maps
17- The graph below shows the amount of meat consumed in the USA between 1950 and 2000. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. Meat Consumption, USA, 1950-2000, per person per year in kilograms 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Ki logr am s Poultry
Beef
The graph shows changes in the amount of chicken and beef eaten in the
USA over the last 50 years. Overall, beef consumption is declining, while
Americans are eating more and more chicken.
The biggest change in the graph is the increase in poultry consumption. This
soared from just 12 kilograms per person per year in 1950 to almost 50
kilograms in 2000, increasing four times. The biggest increase was between
1990 and 2000, when it jumped almost by half, from just 35 kilos to almost
50kg. That was the period when poultry consumption overtook beef for the
first time.
The other trend in the graph is the decline in beef consumption. Although
more beef was eaten in 2000 than in 1950, at 40 kilos per person per year
compared to 32 kilos in 1950, there has been a big drop since 1970. Sales of
beef peaked in 1970 at almost 50kg and have declined steadily since then.
In conclusion, Americans are eating much more meat overall than they were
in 1950, but the proportion of chicken and turkey products has increased
sharply, while beef consumption is declining in importance.
(190 words)