Mastering PTE Describe Image Templates and Strategies

Describe Image tasks for several compelling reasons:

1. Structural Framework: Templates provide a structured framework that helps test-takers organise their thoughts and responses. 
2. Time Management: The “Describe Image” task in PTE has a strict 40-second time limit. Templates help manage time efficiently by allocating specific portions for the introduction, key points, and conclusion. 
3. Clarity and Focus: Templates assist in maintaining clarity and focus. 
4. Enhanced Vocabulary: Using templates encourages the use of varied vocabulary and descriptive language.
5. Adaptability: Templates are adaptable to different types of images, whether it’s a bar chart, pie chart, line graph, diagram, or map. 
6. Scoring Benefits: Templates can help test-takers consistently meet the criteria of PTE, potentially leading to a higher score.

Handling Describe Image tasks based on lectures or presentations in the PTE Speaking section requires a slightly different approach than static images.

1. Listen Actively:

Pay close attention to the audio-visual presentation or lecture. 

2. Identify the Key Image:

Quickly identify the primary image or visual the speaker references, and focus your description on that specific image.

3. Structure Your Response:

Your structure should typically include:

• An introduction.
• A description of the image.
• An explanation of its significance in the lecture context.
• A conclusion.

4. Introduction:

Begin by briefly introducing the lecture topic and the visual content. 

5. Describe the Image:

Provide a detailed description of the image or visual of the task. Mention its type (e.g., chart, graph, map), colours, shapes, labels, and any data points or trends. 

If you have a template for the pie chart description, it is a breeze to describe it. Follow the template below for Pie Chart description: 

• The pie chart projects/reveals (TITLE) and (CATEGORIES).

• I can discern that the highest is (NAME OF THE CATEGORY) with a (FIGURE), followed by (NAME OF THE CATEGORY) with a share of (FIGURE)
• Overall I can safely conclude that (TREND/HIGHEST/LOWEST/DIFFERENCE/SIMILARITY)

PTE can give you several graphs and images or diagrams for the Describe Image task. You must be aware of the different types of graphs and how to read them while preparing for the PTE. The types of graphs usually given in the test are:

1. Bar Chart
2. Pie Chart
3. Line Chart
4. Table
5. Others – Flow Chart, Map, Mixed Chart, Picture, etc.

You can achieve a high score if you follow the below-mentioned methods diligently:

Speak. Don’t Stop

The Speaking Test tests your verbal ability to express. So whether you can completely understand an image or not, speak as much as you can about it. 

Don’t speak for 40 seconds.

You do not have to drag the sentences to speak for the complete time duration. Time yourself so that you stop speaking by 35-36 seconds. If you push yourself to talk for 40 seconds, you may make mistakes or miss out on speaking the proper conclusion. 

Avoid fillers 

Umms.. and urrs.. are strictly avoided as the computer will take it as a lack of preparation and vocabulary. You are being tested for your speaking skills in the English language, so you cannot speak casually. 

Practice and Practice

Check out images, graphs, and diagrams online, in magazines and in newspapers. Make sentences and speak. Jot down any words or terms you think are good while discussing charts and use them. You will gain confidence and reduce your chance of making mistakes. Time yourself by keeping:

• 9-10 seconds for introduction
• 19-20 seconds for the main points of the image/graph
• 5-6 seconds for the conclusion

You will have to register for a Pearson account on pearsonpte.com website. Once the account is created, you can schedule your test.

The PTE is divided into 3 segments:

• Speaking and Writing
• Reading
• Listening