What do I write in a Task 1 overview?
Sum up the biggest changes in the graph without turning them into a list of numbers.
2 min read · Updated 9/8/2026
The key idea
In Academic Task 1, the overview shows the main picture of the visual. Instead of repeating every number, choose the most noticeable trend, difference or stage.
First ask: is there an overall increase, decrease, stability or a big difference? Then limit it to the information the visual gives.
If the graph does not show the reason, don't invent why an increase happened. The overview can be a separate, clearly marked part; there is no required number of sentences to reach.
See an example
Practice data: The number of cycle users in City A was 100 in 2010 and 220 in 2020; in City B it was 180 and 190.
Overview: Overall, cycling became more common in both cities, but the increase was much greater in City A, which overtook City B.
This sentence shows the increase, the difference and the change in ranking without listing all the numbers.
Now you try
Look at the practice data:
| Year | Bus | Train |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 60 | 30 |
| 2025 | 40 | 50 |
Write one overview sentence without copying the numbers. The figures are numbers of journeys given in the same unit.
A personal draft. It is not saved when you leave or automatically graded.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Answer and explanation
Possible answer: Overall, bus travel declined while train travel increased, with trains becoming the more popular option by the end of the period.
At first bus is higher, and at the end train is higher. There is no information about price, convenience or population growth, so we do not add them as reasons.
Rise by or rise to: describing numbers correctly
Official sources for this topic
IELTS · Writing