The line graph shows changes in
the per capita consumption of beef, pork, broilers and turkey in the United States between 1955
and 2012.
It is noticeable that beef was by
far the most popular of the four types of meat for the majority of the 57-year period.
However, a considerable rise can be seen in the consumption of broilers, with figures eventually surpassing those for beef.
Between 1955 and 1976, US beef
consumption rose from around 60 to a peak of 90 pounds per person per year.
During the same period, consumption of broilers also rose,
to nearly 30 pounds per person, while the figures for pork fluctuated between 50 and 40 pounds per person.
Turkey was by far the least popular meat, with figures below 10 pounds per
capita each year.
By 2012, the amount of beef
consumed by the average American had plummeted to
around 50 pounds, but the consumption of broilers had doubled since the 1970s, to approximately
55 pounds per capita.
By contrast, there were no significant changes in the trends for pork and turkey
consumption over the period as a whole.
Sample #34
Many
people believe that television programs are of no value for children.
Do
you agree? Why or why not? Provide reasons and examples to support your
response.
model answer:
Televisual media has become a pervasive force
in the lives of families around the world today.
Yet, a central question remains regarding
whether watching television is harmful or beneficial for children.
An analysis of this question reveals that
television programs present three major concerns in the case of children,
including depictions of violence, the use of profane language, and the
representation of poor moral role models.
Television programs that portray violence are
a paramount concern for parents nowadays.
Recent research has shown that children may
commit acts of violence because they wish to emulate the behavior that they see
on television.
This is especially true when violent acts are
committed by well-known action “heroes.”
In addition, television programs show cartoon
figures, as well as actors, committing violent acts.
Using comic situations to depict violent
themes causes further problems with the way in which young people view
violence.
Television programs that contain profane or
disrespectful language also worry parents with young children.
Because censorship laws have relaxed over the
past few decades, it has become very common for television programs of each and
every kind to show characters expressing impolite, rude, and insulting
utterances to one another.
Bearing resemblance to the case of portrayals
of violence, children unfortunately often try to imitate these actions they
watch on their television screens.
Finally, some parents are upset about the
moral behavior depicted on television.
As they struggle to teach their children moral
and ethical values, parents might despair about the lack of morals and ethics
represented in some of the so-called role models on television.
For instance, certain characters not only have
no remorse for their immoral actions, but also frequently go unpunished by
larger society.
Because of these factors, many parents believe
that television programs send their youth the wrong kinds of messages.
The emulation of this poor behavior by their
children is something they wish to avoid at all costs, and they have
accordingly decided to ban television in their households for these reasons.
0 Nhận xét