The weekly consumption of ordinary milk and butter, and high and low fat alternatives of milk and butter among different age groups in one European country
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Table

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The table below gives information about the weekly consumption of ordinary milk and butter, and high and low fat alternatives of milk and butter among different age groups in one European country. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for the Tables
1. Graph Type: Table
2. Title: Weekly Consumption of Milk and Butter by Age Group (High-Fat and Low-Fat Alternatives)
3. What are the units of measurement?: Milliliters (ml) for milk, grams (g) for butter
4. Who: Different age groups in one European country
5. When: Not specified
6. Where: One European country
7. Topic: Weekly consumption patterns of milk and butter by age group
Comparison Showing and Trends Any change over time (such as an increase or a decrease) is a trend.
Comparison 1: Milk Consumption (Increases with Age)
- Details:
- Under 25: 1235 ml weekly.
- 25–44: Increased to 1857 ml.
- 45–64: Slightly higher at 1887 ml.
- 65+: Highest consumption among all groups.
Comparison 2 : Butter Consumption (Decreases with Age)
- Details:
- Under 25: 91 g per week.
- 25–44: Dropped to 51 g.
- 45–64: Further decline to 37 g.
- 65+: Lowest consumption, significantly below the younger groups.
Comparison 3 : High-Fat vs Low-Fat Preferences
- Details:
• Milk:
o Under 25: Nearly equal preferences for high-fat and low-fat.
o Older groups: Preference for low-fat milk increases slightly with age.
• Butter:
o Under 25: Equal consumption of high-fat and low-fat butter.
o Older groups: Low-fat butter consumption rises significantly, with high-fat butter intake dropping to one-third in the 65+ group.
Sample Answer
The table compares the weekly consumption of milk and butter, including high-fat and low-fat alternatives, among four age groups in a European country.
Overall, milk consumption increases with age, while butter consumption decreases. Older age groups also prefer low-fat versions of both products.
The under-25 group’s weekly milk consumption was 1235 ml, and butter intake was 91 g. Preferences for high-fat and low-fat variants were nearly equal for both products. In the 25–44 group, milk consumption rose significantly to 1857 ml, while butter intake dropped to 51 g. This group showed a preference for low-fat butter, with 64% consuming it compared to 36% who chose high-fat.
The 45–64 group consumed 1887 ml of milk weekly, slightly higher than the younger group, but butter intake further declined to 37; slightly over a quarter consumed high-fat butter, while the rest opted for low-fat alternatives. The 65+ group consumed the highest amount of milk but the least butter among all groups, with only one-third choosing high-fat variants for both products.
In summary, older age groups consumed more milk but less butter, with a strong preference for low-fat options as they advanced in age.
Top 29 Vocabularies
Vocabulary | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Consumption | The act of using or eating resources | Intake, Usage | Milk consumption increased with age. | Noun |
Decline | A gradual reduction | Drop, Decrease | Butter consumption declined sharply in older groups. | Verb/Noun |
Preference | A greater liking for one option over another | Choice, Inclination | Older groups showed a preference for low-fat options. | Noun |
Significantly | To a noticeable or important degree | Remarkably, Substantially | Low-fat butter consumption increased significantly. | Adjective |
Proportion | A part or share of a whole | Percentage, Fraction | The proportion of high-fat milk consumers declined with age. | Noun |
Compare | To examine the similarities and differences between things | Contrast, differentiate | “The table compares milk and butter consumption across age groups.” | Verb |
Weekly | Occurring or done every week | Per week, weekly | “The table shows weekly consumption of milk and butter.” | Adjective/Adverb |
Group | A number of individuals or things considered together | Category, class | “Four age groups are analyzed in the table.” | Noun |
Intake | The amount of something consumed or taken in | Consumption, absorption | “The butter intake of younger groups was higher.” | Noun |
Variant | A different form or version of something | Alternative, variation | “Both high-fat and low-fat variants were compared.” | Noun/Adjective |
Increase | To become larger or greater in amount or degree | Rise, grow | “Milk consumption increased with age.” | Verb/Noun |
Drop | To fall or decrease in amount, level, or position | Decline, fall | “Butter intake dropped as age increased.” | Verb/Noun |
Slightly | To a small degree or amount | Marginally, minimally | “Butter consumption declined slightly in older age groups.” | Adverb |
Opt | To choose or decide on something | Choose, select | “They opted for low-fat alternatives.” | Verb |
Consume | To use up or eat something | Eat, ingest | “Older individuals consume more milk and less butter.” | Verb |
Alternatives | Options or substitutes | Substitutes, options | “Low-fat alternatives were preferred by older groups.” | Noun |
Proportion | The relative amount or share of something | Ratio, percentage | “The proportion of high-fat butter consumption decreased.” | Noun |
Significantly | In a noticeable or substantial manner | Remarkably, substantially | “The milk consumption increased significantly with age.” | Adverb |
Increase | A rise or growth in something | Growth, surge | “There was an increase in milk intake as age rose.” | Noun/Verb |
Decline | A gradual reduction or decrease in something | Drop, fall | “The decline in butter consumption was marked.” | Noun/Verb |
Age group | A segment of people categorized by their age | Demographic, age bracket | “The table divides data by age group.” | Noun |
Liking | A preference or fondness for something | Preference, fondness | “People showed a greater liking for low-fat butter.” | Noun |
Sharp | A sudden or marked change or difference | Sudden, distinct | “A sharp decline in butter intake was observed.” | Adjective |
Amount | The total quantity or measure of something | Quantity, volume | “The amount of milk consumed increases as people age.” | Noun |
Noticeable | Easily seen or recognized; significant | Obvious, remarkable | “The increase in milk consumption was noticeable.” | Adjective |
Advanced | Progressed to a later stage or higher level | Mature, developed | “Older age groups preferred low-fat versions of both products.” | Adjective |
Summary | A brief statement or account of the main points | Overview, synopsis | “In summary, older groups consume more milk and less butter.” | Noun |
Weekly consumption | The amount consumed or used on a weekly basis | Weekly intake, weekly usage | “Weekly consumption of milk was highest in the 65+ age group.” | Noun |
Preference for | A stronger liking for one option over others | Liking, choice | “There was a preference for low-fat milk in older age groups.” | Noun |

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