The graph below shows how people buy music

 The graph below shows how people buy music.

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

Useful vocabulary:

General terminology for describing graphs and trends:

• portray

• diverse methods

• a comprehensive analysis

• evident

• trajectory

• a significant upswing

• underwent an insignificant decline

• plummeted significantly

• noticeable

• narrowed down

• constitute

• witnessed a decline

• an upward trend

• surpassed

2. Synonyms for "purchases":

• acquiring

• buying

• procuring

• shopping transactions

• transactions

• music shopping

3. Synonyms for "CD purchases":

• purchases of CDs

• buying CDs

• procuring CDs

• transactions involving CDs

4. Synonyms for "downloads":

• music downloaded

• downloaded music

• purchasing music through downloads

• buying music through downloads

• procuring music through downloads

5. Synonyms for "streaming":

• music sold through streaming platforms

• streamed music

• music streaming

• purchasing music through streaming

• buying music through streaming

• procuring music through streaming

• music streamed through digital platforms

6. Synonyms for "upward trend":

• an increase

• a surge

• a growth

• a rise

• a positive trajectory

• an upward trajectory

7. Synonyms for "downward trend":

• a decline

• a decrease

• a drop

• a negative trajectory

• a downward trajectory

8. Synonyms for "most popular":

• the prevalent mode

• the most widespread

• the most popular method

• the most prevalent method

• the most common way

• the most frequently used method

9. Synonyms for "conspicuous":

• noticeable

• prominent

• significant

• evident

• obvious

• clear

10. Synonyms for "isogonic growth":

• consistent growth

• steady growth

• continuous growth

• sustained growth

• a positive trajectory

Band 9 Sample answer:

Provided is a line graph portraying the diverse methods of acquiring music over a 7-year period, commencing in 2011 and culminating in 2018.

Overall, upon a comprehensive analysis of the graph, it becomes evident that music sold through streaming platforms experienced a substantial upswing throughout the aforementioned period, whereas the quantity of downloads and CD purchases observed a downwards trajectory. Specifically, whilst the volume of music downloaded underwent an insignificant decline, CD purchases plummeted significantly. Furthermore, it is noticeable that by the termination of the recorded period, the gap between the three categories narrowed down. Moreover, in the initial three years, the purchase of CDs constituted the most prevalent mode, but this changed in 2013 to 2014 when downloads superseded CD purchasing transactions, and finally, in 2017, music streamed through digital platforms emerged as the most popular method of obtaining musical content.

To commence with CD purchases, the percentage of total music procurements done by this method started at slightly above half of all the purchases in 2011, which represented the highest proportion portrayed in the graph. Thereafter, this percentage gradually declined, eventually constituting approximately a quarter of all the music purchases in the final year, thus witnessing a decline of more than half.

Concerning the remaining two categories, downloads experienced an upward trend, surging from around one-third to slightly above two-fifths of all music shopping transactions in the first three to four years under consideration, eventually surpassing CD purchases in 2013. Nonetheless, this growth was subsequently followed by a downturn, with downloads constituting nearly 30% of total music purchases in 2018. On the other hand, music streaming observed steady and consistent growth over the entire period, commencing from a mere 5% and surging to a substantial 42% by the final year, thereby becoming the most prevalent method of acquiring music by the end of the period. Notably, music streamed through digital platforms surpassed CD purchases and downloads in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Band 8 Sample answer:

The presented line chart provides a comprehensive analysis of the cumulative music sales across various formats during a span of seven years from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the acquisition of downloads and CDs exhibited a decreasing trend throughout the specified timeframe, whereas the volume of music streams experienced a remarkable upswing.

To elaborate, at the onset of the observed period, CDs held a considerable share of 55% of the music sales, while downloads accounted for 35%. Nevertheless, CD sales faced a dramatic downturn, dwindling to a meager 5% by the conclusion of the seven-year duration. Furthermore, downloads manifested a slight increment to a 40% share of the aggregate music sales in 2015, followed by a marked plunge to 33% at the end of the period.

Conversely, the proportion of music streams commenced at approximately 5% in the inaugural year, followed by an impressive and unwavering escalation. In 2017, it surpassed CD purchases, representing over 40%, and sustained this level until the cessation of the observed duration.

Band 7.5 Sample answer:

Provided is a line graph indicating ways of purchasing music over a 7-year period commencing in 2011 and culminating in 2018.

Overall, a cursory glance at the provided data reveals that while the amount of music purchased via streams surged during the period in question, that of downloads and CD purchases witnessed a downward trend. In particular, while the amount of purchases by downloading music generally decreased insignificantly, CD purchases plummeted. Moreover, it is conspicuous that by the end of the observed period, the gap between the three categories narrowed down. Furthermore, while in the first three years purchases of CDs were the most widespread, they were overtaken by downloads between 2013 and 2014 and finally, in 2017 purchases on streams became the most popular category.

To commence with CD purchases, having started at just over a half of all the purchases in 2011 which was the highest proportion covered by the line graph, this percentage then decreased gradually to approximately a quarter of all the bought music in the final year of observation, thus reducing more than twice.

As for the remaining two categories, downloads experienced an upward trend increasing from approximately one-third to just over two-fifths of all the purchases of music in the first three to four years being considered, overtaking that of CD purchases in 2013. This was followed by a decline to nearly 30% in 2018. With regards to streams, this category witnessed an isogonic growth over the recorded period from an infinitesimal 5% to a substantial 42% in the final year, thus becoming the most popular way of buying music by the end of the period and overtaking CD purchases and downloads in 2017 and 2018, respectively.