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.

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

The bar chart illustrates the percentage changes in average house prices in five major cities between two time periods, 1990–1995 and 1996–2002, compared with the baseline year of 1989.

Overall, housing prices declined in most cities during the first period, with the exception of Madrid and Frankfurt, while the second period witnessed significant growth in nearly all locations except Tokyo. London experienced the most dramatic upward trend across the whole timeframe.

Between 1990 and 1995, the property market in Madrid and Frankfurt demonstrated modest gains, rising by roughly 2% and 3% respectively over 1989 levels. In contrast, average house prices in New York fell by about 5%, whereas London and Tokyo experienced even sharper declines of approximately 7%.

In the subsequent period, 1996 to 2002, the overall trend reversed. London’s housing market surged, reaching a peak of around 12% above 1989 values, making it the strongest performer. Meanwhile, New York and Madrid recovered moderately, recording increases of about 5% and 4% respectively, while Frankfurt’s growth was minimal at roughly 2%. Tokyo was the only city to continue its downward trajectory, with prices averaging 5% below those of 1989.

In summary, the data highlights contrasting housing market patterns: widespread stagnation or decline in the early 1990s followed by robust growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with London leading the recovery and Tokyo remaining in decline.

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Vocabulary & Dictionary for Describing Trends (IELTS Writing Task 1)

Here’s a bank of academic words and phrases you can use in IELTS Writing Task 1 to sound more advanced:

🔼 Describing Increases

• Rise (neutral) → House prices rose steadily.
• Climb (slightly informal, but acceptable) → Figures climbed to 10%.
• Grow / Growth → There was a steady growth in sales.
• Increase (neutral) → The number increased by 20%.
• Surge (strong, sudden increase) → Prices surged dramatically.
• Soar / Skyrocket (very strong increase) → The figures soared to a record high.
• Upswing (gradual but noticeable improvement) → An upswing in demand was recorded.

🔽 Describing Decreases

• Decline (neutral/formal) → Sales declined slightly.
• Drop (neutral) → There was a drop of 5%.
• Fall (neutral) → The rate fell considerably.
• Decrease (neutral) → Profits decreased steadily.
• Plunge / Plummet (very sharp fall) → The value plummeted to its lowest point.
• Dip (small temporary fall) → The numbers dipped slightly in 1992.
• Downturn (longer negative trend) → The economy faced a downturn.

📊 Describing Stability / No Change

• Remain steady / remain stable → Unemployment remained steady at 6%.
• Level off / plateau → The growth plateaued after 2000.
• Stagnate → House prices stagnated for several years.

⚖️ Describing Comparisons

• In comparison with / compared to → Tokyo showed a decline compared to other cities.
• While / whereas → London increased, whereas Tokyo fell.
• By contrast / in contrast → In contrast to Madrid, Tokyo declined.
• Relative to → London’s growth was significant relative to New York.

🎯 Adverbs for Degree

• Slightly / marginally → small change
• Moderately → medium change
• Significantly / considerably → large change
• Dramatically / sharply / steeply → very strong change
• Gradually / steadily → slow consistent change
• Rapidly / swiftly → quick change