Listening Comprehension. Describing Data

1. Global Smartphone Sales Fall in 2023

Smartphone sales worldwide experienced a significant in 2023, with the total number of units sold dropping by 12.5% compared to the previous year. This is the steepest decline in the smartphone market over the last five years. In 2022, global sales reached 1.2 billion units, but in 2023, the total sales fell to just over 1.05 billion. Analysts believe that production costs and a global economic slowdown were contributing factors to the drop. The market leader, which held the top spot for seven consecutive years, saw their market share decrease by 5%, putting them in second place for the first time since 2016. Interestingly, despite the overall decline, sales of budget smartphones priced under $300 grew by 8% year-over-year, highlighting a in consumer purchasing trends.

2. New York Marathon Participants Increase by 8%

The number of participants in the 2023 New York Marathon to a record-breaking 56,000 runners, an 8% increase compared to the 52,000 who competed in 2022. This marks the largest number of runners in the marathon’s 53-year history. Participants from 142 different countries came to New York for the event, making it one of the most international marathons on record. The marathon, held annually on the first Sunday of November, winds through all five boroughs of New York City. In addition to the record participation, the number of female runners by 12%, with women representing 48% of all entrants. The 2023 marathon was won by a runner from Kenya in the men’s division, finishing in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 44 seconds, while the women’s division was won by an Ethiopian athlete who crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 16 seconds.

3. U.S. Inflation Rate Slows in March 2024

In March 2024, the U.S. inflation rate to 3.4%, a decrease from 4.6% in February, marking the lowest rate in the last 16 months. This slowdown is attributed to a significant reduction in energy prices, which fell by 6.3%, helping to ease the overall inflationary pressure. Gasoline prices, for example, from an average of $4.00 per gallon in February to $3.60 in March. Despite this relief, food prices remained high, with an increase of 2.2% year-over-year. Essential items like bread and dairy products saw particularly sharp increases. The Federal Reserve is expected to continue monitoring inflation closely as it aims to reach its target of 2% inflation by the end of the year. Experts caution that while inflation has slowed, the cost of housing and services continues to rise at a faster-than-expected rate, which could put upward pressure on inflation in the coming months.

4. Tokyo’s Population Reaches 14.5 Million

The population of Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, a staggering 14.5 million as of April 2024, up from 14.3 million in 2023. This marks an annual population growth of 1.4%, driven in part by an influx of people from other regions of Japan as well as international immigration. Tokyo has long been the most populous city in Japan, and it continues to hold first place in terms of population size by a considerable margin. To put this in context, Tokyo’s population is more than double that of Osaka, the country’s second-largest city, which has around 7 million residents. Tokyo’s rapid population has led to increased pressure on the city’s infrastructure, housing market, and public transportation systems. Rent prices in central Tokyo by 6% in 2023, and the city government is now considering measures to manage the population boom, including expanding public transportation networks and increasing housing construction.

5. Electric Car Sales Grow in Europe by 20%

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe surged by 20% in 2023, as environmental concerns and government incentives continued to drive demand. A total of 2.7 million electric cars were sold across the continent, an increase of 450,000 vehicles compared to 2022. This marked a milestone for the industry, as electric cars now account for 17% of all new car sales in Europe, up from 14% the previous year. The growth in EV sales was particularly strong in countries like Norway, where electric cars represented 80% of all new vehicle registrations. Germany, the largest car market in Europe, also saw impressive , with 750,000 electric cars sold in 2023, an increase of 25% compared to the previous year. Experts predict that by 2030, electric cars could make up more than 50% of new car sales in Europe if current continue.