This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of dairy production by the world’s top 3 producers from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Task 1 Essay: Dairy Production

The bar chart details dairy production for the top producers around the world in 2012. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that while milk, cheese and butter were produced overwhelmingly in the EU, India, the United States, and Brazil, milk powder came mainly from China, New Zealand and the EU. Total production was highest by far for milk and lowest for milk powder.

In terms of milk production, the EU was responsible for 142,970 metric tonnes (MT), slightly above India (127,000) and the United States (90,038). Regarding the next most-produced dairy product, cheese, the EU also led all producers at 7,120 MT, followed by the US and Brazil at 4,925 and 700 MT, respectively.

For production of butter, India surpassed all other regions by producing 4,500 metric tonnes, double the figure of the EU (2,040) and more than 5 times higher than the United States (810). The EU was also involved in milk powder fabrication, but on a lower scale at 770 MT. Milk powder was mainly sourced in 2012 in China (1,200 MT) and New Zealand (1,110 MT).

Analysis

1. The bar chart details dairy production for the top producers around the world in 2012. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that while milk, cheese and butter were produced overwhelmingly in the EU, India, the United States, and Brazil, milk powder came mainly from China, New Zealand and the EU. 3. Total production was highest by far for milk and lowest for milk powder.

1. Paraphrase what the bar chart shows.
2. Write a clear overview summarising the differences and the overall trend.
3. This one is a little complex so it needs a second sentence for the overview.

1. In terms of milk production, the EU was responsible for 142,970 metric tonnes (MT), slightly above India (127,000) and the United States (90,038). 2. Regarding the next most-produced dairy product, cheese, the EU also led all producers at 7,120 MT, followed by the US and Brazil at 4,925 and 700 MT, respectively.

1. Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
2. Compare between each sentence.

1. For production of butter, India surpassed all other regions by producing 4,500 metric tonnes, double the figure of the EU (2,040) and more than 5 times higher than the United States (810). 2. The EU was also involved in milk powder fabrication, but on a lower scale at 770 MT. Milk powder was mainly sourced in 2012 in China (1,200 MT) and New Zealand (1,110 MT).

1. Write about the final other parts of the graph – include everything!
2. Include all the data.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

The bar chart details dairy production for the top producers around the world in 2012. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that while milk, cheese and butter were produced overwhelmingly in the EU, India, the United States, and Brazil, milk powder came mainly from China, New Zealand and the EU. Total production was highest by far for milk and lowest for milk powder.

In terms of milk production, the EU was responsible for 142,970 metric tonnes (MT), slightly above India (127,000) and the United States (90,038). Regarding the next most-produced dairy product, cheese, the EU also led all producers at 7,120 MT, followed by the US and Brazil at 4,925 and 700 MT, respectively.

For production of butter, India surpassed all other regions by producing 4,500 metric tonnes, double the figure of the EU (2,040) and more than 5 times higher than the United States (810). The EU was also involved in milk powder fabrication, but on a lower scale at 770 MT. Milk powder was mainly sourced in 2012 in China (1,200 MT) and New Zealand (1,110 MT).

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

Details: specifics
Dairy production: milk manufacturing
Top producers around the world: leading manufacturers globally
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent: when considering the big picture, it is clear
Overwhelmingly: predominantly
Came mainly from: primarily originated from
Total production: overall output
By far: significantly
In terms of: with regard to
Responsible for: accountable for
Slightly above: marginally higher than
Regarding: concerning
Next most-produced dairy product: subsequent highest-yielding dairy item
Led all producers at: topped the list of manufacturers in terms of
Followed by: succeeded by
Respectively: in that order
Surpassed: exceeded
Regions: areas
Double the figure of: twice the number of
More than 5 times higher than: over fivefold greater than
Involved in: engaged in
Fabrication: production
On a lower scale at: to a lesser extent in
Mainly sourced in: primarily obtained in

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈdiːteɪlz 
ˈdeəri prəˈdʌkʃᵊn 
tɒp prəˈdjuːsəz əˈraʊnd ðə wɜːld 
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærᵊnt 
ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋli 
keɪm ˈmeɪnli frɒm 
ˈtəʊtᵊl prəˈdʌkʃᵊn 
baɪ fɑː 
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv 
rɪˈspɒnsəbᵊl fɔː 
ˈslaɪtli əˈbʌv 
rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ 
nɛkst məʊst-prəˈdjuːst ˈdeəri ˈprɒdʌkt 
lɛd ɔːl prəˈdjuːsəz æt 
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ 
rɪˈspɛktɪvli 
sɜːˈpɑːst 
ˈriːʤᵊnz 
ˈdʌbᵊl ðə ˈfɪɡər ɒv 
mɔː ðæn 5 taɪmz ˈhaɪə ðæn 
ɪnˈvɒlvd ɪn 
ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃᵊn 
ɒn ə ˈləʊə skeɪl æt 
ˈmeɪnli sɔːst ɪn 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

The bar chart d______s d__________________n for the t______________________________d in 2012. L_____________________________________________________t that while milk, cheese and butter were produced o___________________y in the EU, India, the United States, and Brazil, milk powder c_____________m China, New Zealand and the EU. T_______________n was highest b________r for milk and lowest for milk powder.

I_____________f milk production, the EU was r_______________r 142,970 metric tonnes (MT), s_____________e India (127,000) and the United States (90,038). R___________g the n__________________________t, cheese, the EU also l_________________________t 7,120 MT, f______________y the US and Brazil at 4,925 and 700 MT, r_____________y.

For production of butter, India s__________d all other regions by producing 4,500 metric tonnes, d___________________f the EU (2,040) and m_____________________________n the United States (810). The EU was also i_____________n milk powder f____________n, but o___________________t 770 MT. Milk powder was m_______________n 2012 in China (1,200 MT) and New Zealand (1,110 MT).

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.thedairysite.com/articles/2526/a-summary-of-milk-production-across-the-world

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Agriculture

1. What kinds of crops are grown in your country?
2. Is farming becoming more sustainable in your country?
3. Should governments subsidize the agricultural industry?
4. How will farms look different in the future?
5. Do most people in your country buy local produce?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS chart below:

IELTS Task 1: Australian Exports