Speaking and Writing - PTE Academic / UKVI, PTE Core
Describe Image
Describe Image practice helps you turn charts, diagrams, maps, and pictures into structured spoken responses under time pressure.
Task facts at a glance
| Appears in | PTE Academic / UKVI (charts, graphs, maps) and PTE Core (everyday images) |
|---|---|
| Items per test | Academic 5–6 · Core 3–4 |
| Preparation time | 25 seconds |
| Time to speak | 40 seconds |
| Scoring | Partial credit — Content, Oral fluency, Pronunciation |
| Negative marking | None |
| Skills credited | Speaking |
Worked example
Describe the chart: “Monthly Rainfall in London, 2022” — a bar chart of rainfall in millimetres across the twelve months. (Real bank question — the chart is shown in the player below. 25 seconds to prepare, 40 seconds to speak.)
The following graph gives information about the monthly rainfall in London for the year 2022. The horizontal axis represents the months from January to December, and the vertical axis shows rainfall in millimeters. According to the graph, the highest rainfall occurred in October, at around 80 millimeters. The lowest rainfall was in July, at about 20 millimeters. Overall, rainfall is higher in the autumn and winter months and lower in the summer. In conclusion, the graph illustrates the seasonal variation in London’s rainfall.
Why this scores well: It names the chart, both axes, the highest and lowest points, the overall trend, and closes with a conclusion — a complete 40-second structure.
Scoring traits to watch
ContentOral fluencyPronunciation
Key takeaways
Use a stable opening, two or three key details, and a short conclusion.
Prioritise the most visible trend or relationship over minor details.
Review fluency and pronunciation as carefully as content coverage.
How to practise Describe Image
Good Describe Image responses sound controlled. The aim is to describe the main information clearly, not to mention every visible element.
- Identify the image type and main message.
- Prepare a short response structure.
- Record under the task timer.
Practice framework
- Identify the image type and main message.
- Prepare a short response structure.
- Record under the task timer.
- Review pauses, unclear phrases, and missed key details.
Common mistakes
- Describing every small detail instead of giving a clear overview.
- Speaking without a repeatable structure.
- Pausing too often while searching for exact numbers or labels.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you get for Describe Image in PTE?
You get 25 seconds to study the image and 40 seconds to speak. The timing is the same in PTE Academic and PTE Core.
How many Describe Image questions are there in PTE?
PTE Academic has 5–6 items using charts, graphs and maps; PTE Core has 3–4 items using everyday images.
Is Describe Image different in PTE Core?
The timing is the same — 25 seconds of preparation and 40 seconds to answer — but Core uses everyday images rather than academic charts, and there are 3–4 items instead of Academic’s 5–6.
This task inside EdKnot
