PTE Describe Image Learning Guide

About

PTE Describe Image is a key question type in the speaking section of the PTE Academic exam, usually containing six questions across various visual formats such as charts, tables, maps, and flowcharts. Candidates have 25 seconds to observe the image and collect basic ideas and then 40 seconds to describe it. This question type mainly assesses candidates' observation, organization, and description skills.

Tips

Chart Observation Tips

• Focus on Titles and Labels: Carefully observe the chart's title, axes, and labels to understand its subject and variables.
• Identify Key Features: Find key features such as the highest and lowest points, significant trends, and abnormal patterns in the chart.
• Use Comparisons: Compare data among different variables, periods, or categories in the chart to highlight significant differences or similarities.
• Specific Data: Use specific data and percentages in your description to make it more accurate and detailed.

Flowchart Description Tips

• Understand the Overall Process: Grasp the overall process and sequence of the flowchart, paying attention to the start and end points and the direction of the process.
• Identify Key Steps: Clarify the main steps or stages in the flowchart and mention them clearly in order.
• Use Connectives: Use appropriate connectives to make the logical relationships between steps tighter.

Picture Description Tips

• Observe Details: Carefully observe the picture during the preparation time, focusing on key elements, people, objects, and the overall scene.
• Determine Main Points: Quickly select three main points or features that you can confidently describe, focusing on familiar elements.
• Organize Logically: Organize your description in a logical and coherent manner. You can create a small story to connect the main points.

Practice Goals

• WHV: Familiarize yourself with the requirements of Describe Image and master basic observation, organization, and description skills.
• 50 Points: Be able to describe the main features of the image, with basically complete content, fairly coherent delivery, and basically clear pronunciation.
• 65 Points: Provide a relatively comprehensive description covering most of the key information in the image, with smooth delivery and fairly accurate pronunciation.
• 79 Points: Provide a complete and well-organized description covering all key information and relationships in the image, with very smooth delivery and clear and accurate pronunciation

Practice Tasks

Daily Practice

• Chart Analysis: Analyze different types of charts daily to practice identifying key features and trends.
• Flowchart Combining: Practice the steps and logical relationships of various flowcharts and describe them using connectives.
• Picture Observation: Observe various images and practice identifying details and organizing language for description.

Targeted Practice

• Mock Tests: Practice Describe Image in a simulated test environment, strictly adhering to test time and requirements.
• Recording Evaluation: Record your descriptions and self-evaluate against the scoring criteria to identify areas for improvement.

Start Practicing

Scoring Rules

The total score for PTE Describe Image is 13 points, based on the following three criteria:

• Content (5 points): Cover all relevant parts of the image and their relationships. Accurately describing about 12 elements can earn a full score for content.
• Pronunciation (5 points): Clear and accurate pronunciation close to native speaker level.
• Fluency (5 points): Smooth and natural delivery without pauses and hesitations.

Answering Strategies

During the 25 - second preparation time, quickly observe the image and identify its main features and information. When describing, start with a brief introduction outlining the image's subject, then elaborate on key features and trends, and conclude with a summary. Ensure coherent delivery and avoid long pauses.

Practice Methods

Chart Practice

• Data Extraction: Extract key data from charts and practice describing data and trends in concise language.
• Comparison Analysis: Compare and analyze data across categories to highlight significant differences and similarities.

Flowchart Practice

• Step Description: Describe each step of the flowchart one by one, focusing on logical order and the use of connectives.
• Overall Overview: After describing the steps, provide an overall summary emphasizing the key points of the process.

Picture Practice

• Detail Description: Focus on details in the picture, such as people's expressions, actions, and background, and describe them vividly.
• Story Building: Connect elements in the picture into a small story to make descriptions more coherent and interesting.

Continue Practicing on EasyPTE