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The Way People of a Country Invested Their Money in Stock Market During the Years 2001-2006 - Task 1 Bar Graph

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


The graph below shows the way people of a country invested their money in stock market during the years 2001-2006.


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


Write at least 150 words.

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Model Answer 1 (Band 9)

The bar chart presents a comparative analysis of the financial avenues—bonds and stocks—chosen by the residents of a certain nation for their investments between 2001 and 2006, expressed in billions. The initial observation of the data elucidates a clear preference for stocks, which saw a progressive surge in investment over the given period.


An overview of the trends suggests that while both bonds and stocks attracted increasing amounts of capital, the latter demonstrated a more pronounced growth. In the initial year, bonds garnered a substantial investment of 100 billion, yet this was markedly eclipsed by the 210 billion placed in stocks. This disparity widened over the subsequent years.


Delving into specifics, by 2002, there was a modest increase in both categories, with bonds rising to 123 billion and stocks to 216 billion. The following year, stocks maintained their dominance with a significant leap to 227 billion, in contrast to a relatively modest increment in bonds to 157 billion. The year 2004 was a turning point, as stock investments peaked at 289 billion, dwarfing the 162 billion directed towards bonds. This trend of elevated stock investments continued unabated, culminating in an unprecedented 311 billion in 2006, nearly tripling the initial figure from 2001. Bonds, while also growing, did so at a steadier pace, reaching 188 billion in the same year, reflecting an almost double increase from their starting point.


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Model Answer 2 (Band 9)

The bar graph provides a clear depiction of the investment patterns in stocks and bonds by the inhabitants of a certain country over a span from 2001 to 2006, measured in billions. It is immediately apparent that there was a sustained increase in the capital funneled into the stock market, with a markedly higher preference for stocks over bonds throughout the period in question.


From an overarching perspective, the data delineates a robust inclination towards stock investments, which not only started stronger but also saw a more vigorous upward trajectory. In contrast, bond investments, while growing, followed a more tempered ascent. The differentiation in the investment volumes for the two categories was significant and consistent, underscoring a distinct investor behavior.


In 2001, the graph indicates a stark difference with 100 billion invested in bonds and a substantial 210 billion in stocks. This gap widened progressively in the following year, with bonds inching up to 123 billion and stocks advancing to 216 billion. The year 2003 further reinforced this trend, with stocks investment swelling to 227 billion, whereas bonds reached a lesser 157 billion. The most remarkable year was 2004, witnessing a stock market investment surge to 289 billion compared to the bond's still lesser 162 billion. The culmination of this trend was observed in 2006, where stock investments soared past the 300 billion mark, settling at 311 billion, an impressive growth from the start of the decade. Bonds, on the other hand, saw a more modest increment, concluding at 188 billion.


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Model Answer 3 (Band 9)

The bar chart meticulously details the financial engagement of a country's population with the stock market from 2001 to 2006, showcasing their investment allocations between bonds and stocks in billions. The data underscores a trend of increasing affinity for stocks, which surpassed bond investments each year.


At a cursory glance, the overarching trend is an escalating commitment to stocks, with their investment figures ascending year on year. Bonds also experienced growth in investment, albeit at a less pronounced rate, painting a picture of a more conservative investment approach in comparison to the burgeoning enthusiasm for stocks.


In the initial year of 2001, the investment in bonds was substantial at 100 billion, yet this paled in comparison to the 210 billion allocated to stocks. The subsequent year saw these figures gently rise to 123 billion for bonds and 216 billion for stocks, indicating a continued preference for equity investment. The disparity became more pronounced in 2003, with stocks reaching 227 billion against the 157 billion invested in bonds. The year 2004 marked a significant milestone, with stock investments catapulting to 289 billion, dwarfing the bond investments at 162 billion. This upward trajectory in stock investments peaked in 2006, reaching an impressive 311 billion, showcasing nearly a tripling effect from the initial figure, while bond investments also peaked at 188 billion, reflecting a significant yet relatively conservative increase.


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