PTE Describe Image is a 40-second speaking task where you look at an image — a graph, chart, diagram, process, map, or picture — and speak about it. It contributes to your Speaking score and it appears six to seven times in a typical PTE Academic exam. Despite being one of the most common task types, many candidates lose marks because they try to improvise descriptions rather than applying a systematic framework. This guide gives you a framework for every image type.
The 40-Second Structure
You have 25 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak. Use your preparation time to identify: the image type, the main trend or comparison, and one supporting detail. Structure your 40-second response in three parts: introduction (what the image shows — 5–7 seconds), main finding (the dominant trend or feature — 15–20 seconds), and supporting detail or comparison (a secondary observation — 10–15 seconds). This three-part structure ensures you always have something to say and end naturally rather than trailing off.
Line Graphs: Trends Over Time
For line graphs, identify whether lines rise, fall, fluctuate, remain stable, or show a peak or trough. Key language: “shows a steady increase,” “experienced a sharp decline,” “reached a peak of,” “remained relatively stable,” “fluctuated significantly between.” Always reference specific values if they are visible — “rose from approximately 200 to 450 between 2010 and 2020.” Mentioning the axes, the time period, and the overall pattern gives a complete description in 40 seconds.
Bar Charts and Pie Charts: Comparisons
For bar charts, identify the highest and lowest categories and note any significant gaps between them. “The largest proportion was accounted for by X, representing approximately Y percent, while Z showed the lowest share at around W percent.” Pie charts require similar comparative language. Always note the total if given, and group small slices: “The remaining categories together accounted for approximately 15 percent of the total.”
Process Diagrams and Maps
Process diagrams require sequential language: “The process begins with…”, “This is followed by…”, “The final stage involves…”. Describe the number of stages, the starting point, and the end product. Maps require comparative spatial language: “The northern area shows…”, “In contrast to the original layout, the proposed design includes…”. For comparison maps (before and after), always note what has changed and what has remained the same.
Universal Rescue Language for Unclear Images
Sometimes the image is complex or contains too much data to describe fully in 40 seconds. Use selective focus: choose the most prominent feature and describe it well rather than attempting to mention everything. Phrases like “The overall picture suggests…”, “The most notable feature is…”, and “This graph illustrates the relationship between…” allow you to speak confidently even when the data is dense. The PTE AI scores fluency and pronunciation — a confident partial description beats a hesitant complete one.
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