PTE Describe Image Template: a 40-second structure for every chart type
Describe Image gives you 25 seconds to look at a visual and 40 seconds to speak. Pearson scores Content (did you describe the key features?), Oral Fluency (smooth, connected speech without long pauses) and Pronunciation (recognisable sounds, stress and rhythm). The template below gives you a 5-part spoken structure: you speak roughly one sentence per part, each sentence lasting 6–8 seconds. Memorise the openers, fill in what you see, and you will always fill the time.
The 5-part spoken structure (40 seconds)
Part 1 — Overview (5 sec): "This [chart type] shows [topic] in/over [time period or location]." Part 2 — Highest / most prominent (8 sec): "The most notable feature is that [highest value or dominant category], which [accounts for / reaches / stands at] [figure]." Part 3 — Second feature or comparison (8 sec): "In contrast / By comparison, [second category or lowest value] [verb] [figure], making it [relationship: half / twice / significantly lower]." Part 4 — Trend or overall pattern (8 sec): "Overall, [trend sentence — rising, falling, stable, fluctuating] over the period / across the categories." Part 5 — Conclusion (6–8 sec): "In summary, the [chart/image] highlights that [main takeaway in one clause]." Total: roughly 40 seconds at natural pace.
Opener by chart type
Bar chart: "This bar chart compares [topic] across [categories/years]." Line graph: "This line graph illustrates the trend in [topic] between [start year] and [end year]." Pie chart: "This pie chart presents the distribution of [topic], broken down by [categories]." Table: "This table summarises [topic] for [countries/years/categories]." Process diagram: "This diagram outlines the stages involved in [process]." Map: "These maps compare [location] in [year 1] and [year 2], showing changes in [land use / infrastructure]." Photo: "This photograph depicts [main subject] in [setting]."
Filler phrases when you spot the data but need time
• "It is worth noting that..." • "The data also suggests that..." • "A key observation is that..." • "This is particularly evident in..." • "The figures indicate that..." Use one of these to bridge from Part 3 to Part 4 if you finish your comparison early. Do NOT use long pauses — a pause of more than 3 seconds hurts Oral Fluency more than a filler phrase.
What to do in the 25-second prep time
1. Read the title and axis labels (or caption). This is your overview sentence. 2. Find the highest and lowest values. These are your Part 2 and Part 3. 3. Identify the overall trend (up, down, stable, mixed). This is Part 4. 4. Do NOT try to mention every single data point. Describe the main story, not the spreadsheet.
What Pearson scores on Describe Image
• Content (5 marks): did you describe the key information accurately? You do not need to mention every number — the main features are what count. • Oral Fluency (5 marks): smooth, connected speech. Avoid long pauses, repeated restarts and filler sounds ('um', 'uh', 'er'). Keep talking. • Pronunciation (5 marks): are your words recognisable? You do not need a native accent — you need each word to be identifiable at normal speed. Note: Describe Image also contributes to your Reading score (you read the image to understand it), but the primary impact is on Speaking.
The single most common mistake
Silence. Most candidates run out of things to say after 15 seconds and sit in silence for the remaining 25. Silence directly loses Oral Fluency marks. If you have described everything you can see, loop back: "To summarise once more, this [chart] clearly demonstrates that [main takeaway]." Repeating your conclusion in different words is better than silence.