You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The charts below show US spending
patterns between 1966 and 1996.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
The pie charts show changes in American spending patterns
between 1966 and 1996.
Food and cars made up the two biggest items of expenditure in both years. Together
they comprised over half of household spending. Food accounted for 44% of spending
in 1966, but this dropped by two thirds to 14% in 1996. However, the outlay on cars
doubled, rising from 23% in 1966 to 45% in 1996.
Other areas changed significantly. Spending on eating out doubled, climbing from
7% to 14%. The proportion of salary spent on computers increased dramatically, up
from 1% in 1996 to 10% in 1996. However, as computer expenditure rose, the percentage
of outlay on books plunged from 6% to 1%.
Some areas remained relatively unchanged. Americans spent approximately the same
amount of salary on petrol and furniture in both years.
In conclusion, increased amounts spent on cars, computers, and eating out were made
up for by drops in expenditure on food and books.