Version 1

The line graph shows variations in the weekly consumption of fish and three types of meat
in one European country from 1979 to 2004. Although there were fluctuations, overall,
people in this country consistently ate more meat than fish, and the general trend was to
move away from beef and lamb as chicken became the dominant food in this category.

In the first decade, beef was consumed in significantly higher quantities than the other
foods listed. Despite an initial sharp fall to approximately 175 grams, it then recovered
reaching a high of close to 240 grams per week. However, from 1989 onwards, beef
consumption fell almost continually, and by 2004 had almost halved. Lamb almost exactly
mirrored this fluctuation trend, falling from second highest initially (at 150 grams) to
approximately 60 grams per week by the end of the period.

In contrast, chicken climbed from less than 150 grams in 1979 and took the lead from
around 1990 onwards. Interestingly, the increases in chicken corresponded with the
declines in beef and lamb, and by 2002 chicken consumption had exceeded all previous
rates, reaching approximately 260 grams a week, although this peal was not maintained.

Fish was consistently eaten the least, beginning at around 60 grams per week then
dropping to bellow 50 grams. While it was the lowest, it remained relatively stable for the
majority of the period.

Band 9
(228 words)
Version 2

The graph illustrates changes in the amount of beef, lamb, chicken and fish consumed in a
particular European country between 1979 and 2004.

In 1979 beef was by far the most popular of these foods, with about 225 grams consumed
per person per week. Lamb and chicken were eaten in similar quantities (around 150
grams), while much less fish was consumed (just over 50 grams). However, during this 25-
year period the consumption of beef and lamb fell dramatically to approximately 100 grams
and 55 grams respectively. The consumption of fish also declined, but much less
significantly to just below 50 grams, so although it remained the least popular food,
consumption levels were the most stable.

The consumption chicken, on the other hand, showed and upward trend, overtaking that
for lamb in 1980 and that of beef in 1989. By 2004 it had soared to almost 250 grams per
person per week.

Overall, the graph shows how the consumption of chicken increased dramatically while the
popularity of these other foods decreased over the period.

Band 8.5 – 9.0

(173 words)
Version 3

The diagram compares changes in consumption figures for different kinds of meat and fish in
a country in Europe from 1979 to 2004. Overall, although beef was initially the most popular
type of meat, it was overtaken by chicken towards the end of the survey. In contrast, the
figure for fish remained the least significant throughout the period.

In the first year, beef had a consumption of about 225 grams per person per week, after
which it experienced a sudden drop of 50 before increasing to about 230 in 1984. There were
small fluctuations until 1989, which was followed by a dramatic decrease to around half as
high as its original level in 2004.

The figure for lamb was initially almost as high as that for chicken (around 150 grams).
However, while the former declined gradually as it reached approximately 60 in the last year,
the latter saw a considerable growth and outstripped beef consumption in 1989, peaking at
250 in 2004. Fish consumption was originally approximately 60 grams and experienced a
small fall of about 10 over the period.

Band 8.5
(180 words)