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Changes in Average House Prices in Five Different Cities Between 1990 and 2002 - Task 1 Bar Charts

Updated: Jul 28

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


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.


Write at least 150 words

Changes in Average House Prices in Five Different Cities Between 1990 and 2002 - Task 1 Bar Charts

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Model Answer 1

The bar chart elucidates the fluctuations in average house prices across five distinct cities over two sequential periods from 1990 to 2002, benchmarked against the property values of 1989. The chart delineates a comparative analysis, spotlighting both depreciation and appreciation trends in the housing market.


An overarching trend revealed by the data is the mixed trajectory of house prices in the initial period (1990-1995), followed by a predominantly upward swing in the latter years (1996-2002). A noteworthy point is that while some cities witnessed a dip initially, they rebounded with notable price increases by 2002.


Delving into the specifics, during the first window from 1990 to 1995, the average house prices in New York, Tokyo, and London saw a decline, falling between 5 to 8 percent from their 1989 benchmarks. Contrarily, Madrid and Frankfurt bucked this downward trend, registering modest gains of approximately 2 to 3 percent.


The period from 1996 to 2002 paints a different picture, with a general upsurge in property values. New York and London experienced a reversal of fortunes, with average house prices climbing by 5 percent and a striking 11 percent, respectively, compared to 1989. Madrid's market continued its ascent, adding another 4 percent increase to its previous gains. In an unexpected twist, Frankfurt, which had previously seen growth, diverged from the collective pattern, with house prices retracting slightly from their previous growth.


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Model Answer 2

The provided graph illustrates the shifts in average house prices in five distinct urban centers over the span from 1990 to 2002, benchmarked against the average property values of 1989.


At a glance, the graph reveals a diverse pattern of property price changes across the cities in question. Notably, London experienced the most pronounced fluctuations during the observed period.


Delving into specifics, the initial six years (1990-1995) saw New York’s housing market dip slightly below the 1989 average by about 5%. The trend reversed from 1996 to 2002, with New York witnessing a positive upswing. London and Tokyo displayed similar downturns in the early period, with average prices descending roughly 7%. Nevertheless, London’s market rebounded spectacularly, soaring to a peak increase of 13% in the latter phase, while Tokyo’s market persisted in its decline by a further 5%.


Madrid’s market remained relatively stable initially, with a modest 1% drop, but later surged by a dramatic 4%. Frankfurt’s property values showed an initial increase of 2%, but interestingly, it regressed to align with Madrid's at 1%. These variances in the changes in average house prices in five different cities underscore the unique economic trajectories each city experienced during the 12-year period.


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Model Answer 3

The graphical representation provides a comparative analysis of the changes in average house prices in five different cities during two distinct epochs, 1990-1995 and 1996-2002, in relation to the average values in the year 1989.


Initially, an overarching observation from the chart is the divergent trends in housing price shifts within the examined timeframe. In the first half of the 1990s, a general depreciation in property values was observed in three of the cities, while the latter half of the decade and early 2000s presented a reversal towards growth in four cities.


Detailing the 1990-1995 period, New York, Tokyo, and London's housing markets contracted by 5 to 8 percent below their 1989 price levels. Conversely, Madrid and Frankfurt displayed resilience with increments of 2 to 3 percent, defying the downward pressure seen elsewhere.


In the subsequent period from 1996-2002, the narrative changed as the changes in average house prices in five different cities took a positive turn except for Frankfurt. The New York market rebounded, marking a 5 percent price augmentation from its 1989 figures. Madrid continued its steady climb, adding an additional 4 percent to its previous rise, and London's market surged, showing a notable 11 percent increase. Contrarily, Frankfurt's housing prices witnessed a marginal decline, deviating from its earlier positive performance.


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Model Answer 4

The chart offers a comparison of the shifts in average residential property values across five distinct urban regions over a twelve-year span starting from 1990, using 1989’s prices as a benchmark.


In overview, it is evident that the trend in housing prices varied significantly across the metropolises, with a general dip in the first half of the period followed by a mostly positive rebound, except for Frankfurt. Tokyo's property values persistently lagged behind the 1989 average, while London’s market experienced the most pronounced growth.


Delving into specifics, between 1990 and 1995, all cities except Madrid experienced a downturn in housing prices compared to 1989, with Tokyo registering the steepest fall. During this time, Madrid’s property values remained stable. As we transitioned into the period from 1996 to 2002, there was a marked reversal of fortune. London's housing market surged dramatically, exceeding the 1989 average by approximately 12% by 2002. This recovery was mirrored in New York, albeit to a lesser extent, with an increase of about 5% above the 1989 benchmark.


Conversely, Frankfurt’s housing market, which had initially mirrored the general uptrend in the early '90s, diverged from the pattern, showing a marginal decline of 1%. Despite this, the overall trajectory for the remaining cities was one of growth, with Madrid and New York showing moderate increases. Notably, Tokyo, while still below its 1989 average, narrowed its deficit slightly in the latter period.



Model Answer 5

The graph provides a comparative analysis of shifts in average house prices in five distinct cities over two distinct periods, 1990-1995 and 1996-2002, benchmarked against the 1989 baseline. Significantly, the data unveils distinct trends in the housing market dynamics across these metropolises.


In an overarching view, the most salient trend was the downturn in the average house prices during the early '90s in New York, Tokyo, and London, which then pivoted to an upward trajectory in the latter period, most notably in London. Conversely, Madrid and Frankfurt bucked this trend with consistent, albeit modest, price increases over both intervals.


Delving into specifics, between 1990 and 1995, Tokyo and London witnessed a marked decrease in average house prices, nearing a 7% reduction from the 1989 average, signaling a significant cooling in their real estate sectors. On the other hand, Madrid and Frankfurt's average house prices nudged upwards, with increments of around 1% and 1.5%, respectively, indicative of a more buoyant property market.


The latter period, from 1996 to 2002, paints a contrasting picture. London's housing market rebounded vigorously, with average prices surging by an impressive 12%. New York and Madrid followed suit, with increases just shy of 5% and 1%, respectively, reflecting a robust recovery and steady growth. Frankfurt's growth remained consistent, albeit at a more conservative rate. Remarkably, in an inversion of its earlier decline, London's average house prices witnessed a 5% uptick, underscoring a period of significant growth and recovery in its housing market.


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