Question

Study the chart and table below. Using only the information provided, analyse the sales of three
fast food outlets in the first quarter of 2012. In your answer, you are to link the information
presented in both visuals. You should write a report of between 150-200 words.

Many of these exam papers share the same structure from year to year. To familiarise
yourself with these types of questions, its a good idea to practice as much as possible
with past papers.

1. Title
Sales of three fast food outlets in the first quarter of 2012

2. Introduction
The stimuli present a line graph on the sales of three fast food outlets in the first quarter of 2012
and a table on their promotional activities.

3. Overview/trend
In general, the sales of fast food outlets increase in direct relation to the amount of promotional
activities.
 OR

In general, Ken Burger recorded the highest amount of sales especially when they carried out
promotional activities.

4. Key features
Analysis within each stimulus

Line graph

 According to the line graph, among the three fast food outlets, Ken Burger is the most popular
choice followed by Mario Pizza and Ray’s Fish & Chips.
 The highest recorded sales was by Ken Burger in April as it rose sharply from RM 3,000 to
more than RM 4,000.
 Sales for Ken Burger dipped between February and March to an all time low of below RM 1,900.
 Mario Pizza achieved its highest sales of RM 1,500 between February and March before
dropping to less than RM 500 at the end of April.
 Ray’s Fish & Chips was the least popular among the three fast food outlets selling less than
RM 400 for all four months.

Table

 Ken Burger and Mario Pizza both carried out two promotional activities in the first quarter of
2012.
 Ray’s Fish & Chips carried out the least number of promotional activities which was to give a
free drink in March.

Synthesis (linking between stimuli)

 Ken Burger’s sales increased when they carried out promotional activities in January (free
drinks) and April (gift voucher) whereas sales dipped when no promotions were carried out.
 Similarly, Maria Pizza’s sales also increased in February and March due to the two promotional
activities they held during that period.
 Ray’s Fish & Chips had poor sales throughout the first quarter as they rarely had promotional
activities.
 Furthermore, Ray’s Fish & Chips only offered a free drink in March and this resulted in only a
slight increase in sales.

5. Conclusion
In conclusion, attractive promotional activities organised by fast food outlets can positively affect
their sales.

OR

In conclusion, fast food outlets sales are boosted when they carry out promotional activities which
are attractive to customers such as offering gift vouchers or discounts.