Speaking & Writing

Describe Image

You study an image for 25 seconds, then describe it for up to 40 seconds. The image may be a chart, graph, diagram, map or picture.

Speaking

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Items on a test: About 5–6
Prepare: 25 seconds
Speak: 40 seconds
Skills: Speaking

Item counts vary slightly by test form. The ranges follow Pearson’s PTE Academic test-taker score guide.

What this task asks

Describe Image tests whether you can turn a visual into a clear spoken description. You are not asked for an opinion the image does not support, and you are not asked to mention every label.

A usable structure is not the same as a memorised script. Pearson’s own test tips say that pre-memorised content can score 0 for content, and that a content score of 0 means fluency and pronunciation are not scored for that task.

How scoring works

Content is a 0–6 scale. At the top, the response describes the image fully and accurately, explains relationships between its features, and uses a variety of expressions so a listener could picture it. Lower scores are superficial, inaccurate, or too limited to show comprehension of the image.

The task contributes to Speaking only. Reading is used to understand the instructions, not as a scored skill on this item.

Pronunciation and oral fluency are each scored from 0 to 5. A high pronunciation score means vowels, consonants and word stress are easy for a regular speaker of English to understand. Pearson accepts regional and national varieties of English when most listeners can understand them. A high oral fluency score means a steady pace and natural phrasing, without long pauses, repetitions or false starts.

The automated system scores this task, and a human expert reviews Content before the score is finalised. Pronunciation and oral fluency, where they apply, stay with the automated scoring.

Timings and scoring follow Pearson’s published format for Speaking & Writing.

Tips that match the task

1
In the 25 seconds, name the image type and the topic, then pick the main pattern: the highest and lowest figures, the overall trend, or the stages of a process. Jot those, not a full script.
2
Open with what the image is. “The bar chart compares weekly study hours across four age groups” tells the listener the frame before any numbers.
3
Give specific figures from the image, such as 257 minutes rather than “around 250”. Pearson’s tips treat exact values as part of an accurate description.
4
Compare at least two features: which is larger, what increased, or which stage comes next. The top content levels look for relationships, not a list of labels.
5
Close with a conclusion the image itself supports, such as the overall direction of the trend. Do not add a personal opinion.
6
Aim to speak for most of the 40 seconds. A response of around 20 seconds rarely covers the main features.
7
Vary the verbs. Repeating “shows” for every sentence limits the language range the content scale describes.
8
If you miss one number, keep going with the features you are sure of. An inaccurate figure is worse than a slightly less complete description.

Common mistakes

Opening with a memorised line such as “the image is a beautiful graph and shows various information”. Pearson flags this kind of template, and a content score of 0 drops fluency and pronunciation for the item as well.
Describing the title and axis labels and never stating a trend or a comparison.
Quoting a number that is not in the image. Inaccuracy pulls the content score down.
Giving your opinion about the topic instead of describing what is visible.
Trying to mention every category and running out of time before the main comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a safe PTE Describe Image template?

Use a structure: image type and topic, the main pattern, two or three comparisons with figures, then a short conclusion drawn from the image. Do not memorise sentences and reuse them. Pearson’s test tips say pre-memorised content can score 0 for content, and then fluency and pronunciation are not scored.

How long should I speak for Describe Image?

You have 25 seconds to study the image and 40 seconds to speak. Pearson’s tips say you are unlikely to cover the key features in 20 seconds or less, so use most of the 40 seconds without rushing into false starts.

Which scores does Describe Image affect?

Speaking. Content is scored from 0 to 6 and is also reviewed by a human expert. Pronunciation and oral fluency are scored from 0 to 5 by the automated system.

Practise Describe Image on a real question

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