top of page

The graph below shows how people buy music - IELTS Task 1 Line Graph Band 9 Sample Report

Updated: Jun 28

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


The graph below shows how people buy music.


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


Write at least 150 words.


Task 1 Line Graph Band 9 Sample Report (The graph below shows how people buy music. )

Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner


Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score



Sample Report 1

The provided line chart offers a thorough analysis of the cumulative music sales across various formats over a seven-year period from 2011 to 2018.


Overall, the acquisition of downloads and CDs displayed a descending pattern throughout the specified timeframe, while the volume of music streams experienced a notable upturn.


To elaborate, at the inception of the observed period, CDs represented a significant 55% of music sales, while downloads accounted for 35%. Nonetheless, CD sales faced a drastic downturn, diminishing to a mere 5% by the conclusion of the seven-year span. In addition, downloads exhibited a minimal increase to a 40% share of the aggregate music sales in 2015, before diving markedly 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.


Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score



Sample Report 2

The presented line graph elucidates the comprehensive details of the aggregate number of music sales by different modes over the span of seven years from 2011 to 2018.


In general, the purchase of downloads and CDs showcased a downward trajectory throughout the given period, while the number of music streams underwent a significant surge.


To expound further, initially in the given period, CDs constituted a majority of 55% of music sales, whereas downloads made up 35%. However, CDs witnessed a sharp decline, plummeting to a mere fifth percent by the end of the seven-year span. Furthermore, downloads displayed a negligible increment to a 40% share of the total music sale in 2015, after which it plunged significantly to 33% at the culmination of the period.


In contrast, the percentage of music streams started at around 5% in the first year, followed by a remarkable and consistent elevation. In the year 2017, it exceeded CDs purchased, accounting for over 40%, and remained constant till the termination of the period.



Sample Report 3

The line graph gives information about the total number of music sales by different means throughout the seven-year period, from the year 2011 to the year 2018.


Overall, download and CDs purchased showed a downward trend in the given period, while the number of streams experienced a sharp rise.


On the one hand, CDs purchased, and downloads accounted for 55% and 35 percent, respectively, in the beginning of the period. The number of CDs declined steeply over the next seven years to a fifth percent. Likewise, downloads showed a slight increase to two fifths of total music sale in 2015. This figure then fell significantly to a third percent after seven-year period. However, in the end of the seven-year period, this figure fell to one third of total sale.


On the other hand, the figure for streams began at around 5% in the first year. The trend experienced grew dramatically, and exceeded CDs purchased in the year 2017, to reach above 40% and remained unchanged toward the end of the period.


Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner


Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score

bottom of page