The Chart Below Shows Information About Changes in Average House Prices

Lilie King
Written by Lilie

Scored a 7 twice in the writing test

April 30, 2022

The chart below shows information about changes in average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with the average house prices in 1989.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

This essay question is from Cambridge IELTS 7 Test 3 Writing Task 1.

Percentage change in average house prices in five cities 1990–2002 compared with 1989

the chart below shows information about changes in average house prices

Sample Essay

The bar graph shows average house prices in five cities between 1990 and 2002 as compared to the average prices in 1989.​

Overall, only Madrid’s and Frankfurt’s home prices increased between 1990 and 1995 over the 1989 price levels. However, between 1996 and 2002, all the cities saw price gains over the 1989 prices, except Tokyo, and increases were strongest (“Strongest” is correct. “The” is unnecessary.) in London.

Average home values in Madrid and Frankfurt were approximately 2% and 3% higher between 1990 and 1995 than in 1989. In comparison, house prices in the other three cities all dropped below the 1989 levels, by 5% in New York City, and roughly 7% in both Tokyo and London.

However, between 1996 and 2002, only Tokyo had a lower average house price than it had in 1989, with a drop of 5%. London showed the greatest price growth over the 1989 level, at about 12%, whereas Frankfurt showed the smallest, at about 2%. Home values in New York City and Madrid went up by around 5% and 4% respectively. (172 Words)

Respectively

You don’t necessarily need to use the word “respectively” when there is more than one figure in your sentence. In the sentence below, it’s pretty clear what each number refers to.
  • Not use “respectively”: Average home values in Madrid and Frankfurt were 2% and 3% higher between 1990 and 1995 than in 1989.
If you use “respectively”, you need to put it either before or after “2% and 3 higher”. Don’t put it after “2% and 3%”.
  • Average home values in Madrid and Frankfurt were 2% and 3%, respectively, higher between 1990 and 1995 than in 1989.
  • Average home values in Madrid and Frankfurt were, respectively, 2% and 3% higher between 1990 and 1995 than in 1989.
  • Average home values in Madrid and Frankfurt were 2% and 3% higher, respectively, between 1990 and 1995 than in 1989.

The Strongest

“The” is not needed when we compare something with itself in different circumstances. Here, we’re comparing price increases with price increases.
  • However, between 1996 and 2002, all the cities saw price gains over the 1989 prices, except Tokyo, and increases were the strongest in London.
  • However, between 1996 and 2002, all the cities saw price gains over the 1989 prices, except Tokyo, and increases were strongest in London.
Below is a quote from The Independent. They are comparing the same thing: under-employment. They’re comparing under-employment with under-employment. That’s why “the” is not needed.

At 12%

The prepositional phrase “at 12%” is not modifying “growth”, where “of” would undoubtedly be correct, but “the largest growth”. It makes no sense to speak of “the largest growth of 12%” since any growth of 12% is presumable as large as any other growth of 12%.
  • London showed the largest price growth over the 1989 level, of about 12%.
  • London showed the largest price growth over the 1989 level, at about 12%.

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14 CommentsLeave A Comment

  2. Hello Respected lilie mam it is accepted to write numbers in overall? please reply because i am confuse at the moment

    Reply

    1. Hi Bhaumik, in the overview, we can include the numbers on the x-axis, such as years, but not the numbers on the y-axis.

      Reply

  4. Hello. This my answer.I would be very happy if you comment and rate.

    The bar graph gives data about changing of house cost in New York, Madrid, Tokyo, Frankfurt, London when we compared the average house cost from 1990 to 2002 with in 1989.

    Overall, House costs decreased significantly in three cities between 1990 and 1995 while increased in two cities. Also One countries’ house price declined between 1996 and 2002 while Londons’ house prices experienced the highest percentage change in this year’s range.

    Average House costs of Madrid and Frankfurt raised slightly approximately 2% and 3% between 1990 and 1995 than in 1989. In contrast, New York house prices declined 5%. Tokyo and London house prices had the biggest decrease with about 8% when we compared in 1989.

    However, while the house cost of Tokyo decreased by 5%, other four cities’ house prices climbed from 1996 to 2002.. London had the highest percentage by about 12%. House costs went up with approximately 5%, 4%, 2% in New York, Madrid and Frankfurt, respectively.

    Reply

    1. If the price is above 0%, then it’s higher than the 1989 price. If the price is below 0%, then it’s lower than the 1989 price. Hope this helps.

      Reply

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