Band 7+: The first graph below shows the weight (in tonnes) of fruit produced by a farm during each month in 2013, and also the amount (in tonnes) of fertiliser used. The second graph shows the volume of rainfall in each month (in millimetres). Write a report summarising the information. Select and describe the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The charts give information regarding the tonnage of fruit produced in a farm per month in 2013, the fertiliser used and the monthly rainfall in that year.

We can see that fruit production rose steadily from just over 2 tonnes in January to a peak of roughly 4.2 tonnes by August. Output then fell rapidly, declining to around the initial 2 tonne mark in December. However, looking at fertiliser use, we see that this seasonal pattern is largely reversed: the most fertiliser (just under 1 tonne) was utilised in April, followed by a marked decline to zero in June and July. Fertiliser consumption then increased slightly in the autumn, rising to a total of around 0.7 tonnes before dipping to just below 0.5 tonnes at year end.

Regarding rainfall, this appears to reflect the use of fertiliser, with an early high of 16mm in February, falling consistently to 4mm in July, August and September. Rainfall then increased steadily to reach 14mm in December.

In summary, this farm generally employed the most fertiliser at seasons of high rainfall, and by contrast it produced the most fruit when both rainfall and fertiliser use were around their lowest.