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A summary of a line graph

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Reading text

The graph below shows how people buy music. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.



The graph illustrates trends in music buying habits between 2011 and 2018. It presents three different methods: streaming, downloading and buying CDs.

Overall, both downloads and physical sales of music have steadily declined. The latter has slumped since 2011, while the downturn for the former began in 2014. However, there has been a sharp rise in people streaming music since 2013.

In 2011, the majority of music sales were of CDs, at 55% of all sales. In contrast, streaming was not common at all at only 5%. Also, although people had started to download music, it only represented 35% of sales. As sales of CDs began to fall, downloads started to rise. They rose steadily and downloads overtook physical sales in mid-2013. During the same period, streaming doubled to 10% but then it started to grow more dramatically.

Downloads peaked in 2014 at about 43% of sales but fell to 30% by 2018. This was slightly higher than physical sales, which shrank to 25%. Streaming, on the other hand, overtook both of them and accounted for just over 40% of sales in 2018.

Please note: This page was designed for writing practice only. Information in the graph may not be accurate.

Tips

  1. Change the words in the question to introduce your answer, e.g. This graph shows = This graph illustrates.
  2. The second paragraph should give an overview of the main points the graph shows (imagine you're describing the results to someone who can't see the graph).
  3. The following paragraphs should describe the main patterns or trends in more detail.
  4. Use precise vocabulary like steadily declined and a sharp increase to describe trends. Use linking expressions like while and in contrast to make comparisons.
  5. The question asks you only to 'Summarise the information'. Don't give reasons why these trends might have occurred, or your personal preferences on the topic.

Task 1

TrueOrFalse_MjMxNjY=.xml

Task 2

ReorderingHorizontal_MjMxNjc=.xml

Task 3

GapFillDragAndDrop_MjMxNjk=.xml

Discussion

What are the trends in the way you have been buying and listening to music over the last five to ten years?

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Language level

Upper intermediate: B2

Comments

Hennadii's picture Hennadii replied on United Kingdom

Telling the truth I'm a huge melomaniac. I always listen to music: when I do my domestic chores, wash the dishes or do my work out at the park or even on my way to the shop. I use my smartphone as a music player and watch video clips or full concerts on Youtube. My playlist contents many differnet bands and singers. Most of them from distant 60s-70s. I'm a die hard fan of british rock music.
What about buying? Honestly, I did buy all the music I have in my play list - most of them I took from my friends (we often share our buyings to each other). Another good sourse - numerous of mobile applications where you can listen to the music for free (of course I have to watch commercial adds but, well, at least, I mustn't buy anything they offer me).
Many years ago I had some good collection of music on cassettes but they spoiled for a long time - magnetic tapes aren't everlasting ((

Beth's picture Beth replied on Macao, SAR of China

I used to buy CDs in the past for supporting my favourite signer. However, I changed from physical to digital over the last five years. I subscribed some music streaming service such as Spotify. This decision is better for saving my place, also environmental friendly.

shelly's picture shelly replied on India

I remember ten years ago my music habit was to download music from the Internet to my hard drive, and then I could listen to music from anywhere through my headphones. Five years later, I could download music directly to my phone. Now I never download music. Instead, I can listen to music through streaming, but most apps aren't free for every song. In fact, every coin has two sides. We should follow the development of The Times.

Denise's picture Denise replied on United Kingdom

Well,I’m not used to buying any music.I normally use the YouTube all the time and sometimes the free utilities of Spotify. I always listened to music.It is really part of my day.

cittàutopica's picture cittàutopica replied on Italy

In the last ten years I kept on buying CD, because I prefer these in place of the streams or the downloads. Perhaps I have remained behind, considering my age, but sometimes the old things become fashionable again, as the vinyl discs, which are achieving resounding success.

YaMaCa's picture YaMaCa replied on Switzerland

Really, I have bought so few music a log my life. Using my memory, I bought just 5 Cd’s in my entire life. In contrast, I have not bought stream music while download music I had a peak in my University time.

Ugulhan's picture Ugulhan replied on Germany

I think that if people want to listen to music then they would use an online music platform or you-tube for downloading music. This has been gradually increased over the last five to ten years. Right now, People would not like to listen to retro style music such as CD or other types of old recording. They are going to catch online and find out their favourite music with one click. That is a new cut-technology centre.

Razan Mahairy's picture Razan Mahairy replied on Lebanon

Hello , Jonathan R
I would to thank you, I got your advice about notebook ..
and i understand your explaining that includes simple examples for streaming.
thanks a lot
Regards...

Jonathan R's picture Jonathan R replied on United Kingdom

Hi Razan Mahairy,

That's great :) Try using a notebook, and let us know if it works for you or if you find any other good ways to learn vocabulary.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

mxoubi0's picture mxoubi0 replied on Jordan

Thanks for sharing such kind information.
Might you please explain more about the number as you mentioned in the paragraph.
1- sales but fell to 30% by 2018. Why using "to" with percentage and "by" with the year.
2- for just over 40% of sales in 2018.

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