Task 1: Writing the Overview

What is an overview?

Two sentences describing the main trends or biggest differences — no numbers. Without an overview you usually can't get above Band 5 for Task Achievement.

How to find it

Look at the chart for 30 seconds and ask:

1. What goes up or down the most?
2. What is the biggest and smallest?
3. Is there a clear pattern or change?

Example

Overall, the number of cars increased steadily over the period, while bicycle use fell. Cars remained the most common form of transport throughout.

Structure

1. Introduction — paraphrase the title.
2. Overview — the main trends.
3. Details 1 — numbers to support the first trend.
4. Details 2 — numbers to support the second.