How to Excel in the PTE Describe Image Task
The Describe Image task in the PTE exam is a unique challenge that assesses your speaking skills, specifically your ability to describe and interpret information presented in an image. This task is crucial for students who wish to demonstrate their proficiency in organizing and conveying information clearly and concisely.
Understanding the Task
In this part of the Speaking section, you're shown an image. It could be a graph, chart, map, table, process diagram, or picture. You have to describe the key details of this image in English, speaking into the microphone. The goal is to convey the information in the image as accurately and completely as possible within a short time frame.
Where Does It Fit in the Test?
The Describe Image task is located within the Speaking section of the PTE Academic exam. It's designed to test your ability to analyze visual information and communicate it verbally, which is a valuable skill in academic and professional settings.
Time Allocation
For each image, you'll have 25 seconds to prepare your response after viewing the image. Then, you'll have 40 seconds to describe the image as clearly and detailed as you can.
Types of Images
The images can vary widely, from simple bar graphs to complex process diagrams. Each type of image requires a slightly different approach to describe effectively, but the core skills remain the same: observation, analysis, and clear communication.
How to Approach This Task
- Quick Analysis: Spend the first few seconds identifying the most important elements of the image. What type of image is it? What is the main topic or focus?
- Structure Your Response: Plan a brief introduction, mention key features or data points, and possibly conclude with a summary or interpretation if time allows.
- Use Descriptive Language: Employ vocabulary that accurately describes trends (increase, decrease), relationships (between, among), and characteristics (significant, minor).
- Practice Time Management: Aim to cover all important aspects within the 40-second time limit without rushing or running out of time.
Top Tips for a High Score
- Familiarize Yourself with Different Image Types: Practice with a variety of images so you're prepared for any type.
- Develop a Strategy: Have a general plan for how to tackle each type of image. For example, for graphs, talk about the X and Y axes first, then discuss the trend.
- Enhance Your Vocabulary: Learn specific vocabulary related to describing trends, comparisons, and processes.
- Practice Out Loud: Use practice images and record yourself describing them. Listen back to identify areas for improvement.
- Stay Calm and Focused: If you're unsure about certain details, focus on what you do know and can describe confidently.
Practice images and their manswers:
Model answer: This line chart shows information about renewable energy total consumption and major sources from 1949 to 2008. To begin with, we can see that there are categories in comparison which are total, hydroelectric power, wood, wind and biofuels. According to the graph, most of the categories had increased during this time period except that wood had decreased a bit at the beginning of the time period. Last but not the least, the use of wind and biofuels had increased dramatically since 2000. In conclusion, different categories have different trends during this time period.
Model answer: The image shows the information about a lecture hall. According to the image the seating arrangement is well designed so that every member of the audience should be able to see clearly at all times with an unobstructed sight line, lecturer stage is in the middle of the lecture hall, equipped with whiteboard and podium. Moreover, after analyzing the main key aspects, it can be concluded that this image shows crucial information about the interior design of a lecture hall, which is strongly supported by data and facts.
Model answer: The graph shows the fluctuation in the number of people at a London underground station over the course of a day. The busiest time of the day is in the morning. There is a sharp increase between 06:00 and 08:00, with 400 people using the station at 8 o’clock. After this, the numbers drop quickly to less than 200 at 10 o’clock. Between 11 am and 3 pm the number rises, with a plateau of just under 300 people using the station. In the afternoon, numbers decline, with less than 100 using the station at 4 pm. There is then a rapid rise to a peak of 380 at 6 pm. After 7 pm, numbers fall significantly, with only a slight increase again at 8 pm, tailing off after 9 pm. Overall, the graph shows that the station is most crowded in the early morning and early evening periods.
Model answer: This table shows the percentage of children with different educational problems in two primary schools in 2005 and 2015. The problems occurring least often were spelling and handwriting in School B in 2005. The problems occurring most often were following instructions and concentrating in lessons in School A in the same year. Listening skills were also a significant problem in School A in 2005, improving considerably by 2015. In conclusion, School A’s improvement over the ten-year period may be due to policies targeting and effectively solving the educational problems.
Model answer: The image depicts the life cycle of a chick. A young chick becomes an adult hen in a span of 3 months and then will lay eggs. The eggs will take about a time of 3 weeks to hatch into a chick which then grows into an adult and the cycle continues.
Model answer: This image represents the structure and function of various parts of a bike. It basically has two wheels made up of spokes to share riders weight evenly. The front wheel is attached to the handlebar, which makes the wheels easier to turn. The back wheel has gears linked by a chain that increases speed. The chain is connected to a pedal that cranks and increase pedalling force. There is a horizontal bar at the top of the frame that divides riders weight evenly between wheels. In conclusion, this structure looks simple but it’s a very efficient means of transport.