PTE Core Speaking · Describe Image
PTE Core Describe Image Template: Charts and Graphs
Charts reward a different tour: say what is measured, give the biggest and smallest values with their numbers, make one comparison, and state the overall trend.
25 seconds to prepare · 40 seconds to speak
The high-low chart summary: remember it as
- Overview
- Highest
- Lowest
- Compare
- Wrap-up
When to use it: The image is a bar chart, line graph, pie chart or table: anything with numbers or a trend.
The template
Each stage has a job and a time budget. Fill every blank with what you can see or what the situation says: recited lines that ignore the task score poorly.
- 1
Overview
7sWhat the chart measures, where and when.
Starters
- This bar chart shows blank in blank in blank.
- This graph compares blank between blank and blank.
- This pie chart shows how blank is divided between blank.
Do
- The chart type, the topic, and the unit (per cent, dollars, people)
Avoid
- Reading every label on the axes aloud
Earns:ContentFluency
- 2
Highest
10sThe biggest value, with its number.
Starters
- By far the most blank was blank, at blank per cent.
- The highest figure was for blank, at blank.
- blank was the largest group, followed by blank at blank.
Do
- The label and its value
- The runner-up, if it is close or notable
Avoid
- Guessing a number you cannot read: say "about" or "just over"
Earns:ContentFluency
- 3
Lowest
9sThe smallest value, with its number.
Starters
- In contrast, the smallest group was blank, at just blank.
- The lowest figure was blank, at only blank.
- At the other end, blank accounted for just blank.
Do
- A contrast word: in contrast, at the other end, however
Avoid
- Jumping back to the highest value again
Earns:ContentFluency
- 4
Compare
9sOne comparison or pattern that links the values.
Starters
- blank was roughly twice as blank as blank.
- blank and blank together made up blank.
- Between blank and blank, the figure rose steadily.
Do
- A relationship: twice as, together, while, rose, fell
Avoid
- Reading out every remaining bar one by one
Earns:Content
- 5
Wrap-up
5sThe overall message of the chart in one line.
Starters
- Overall, the chart shows that blank.
- In general, blank clearly dominates.
- Overall, there was a steady rise in blank.
Do
- The big-picture takeaway
Avoid
- Ending on a number with no conclusion
Earns:ContentFluency
What to do, what to avoid
Do
- What the chart measures, and its unit
- The highest and lowest values with numbers
- One comparison: twice as, together, rose, fell
- Contrast words: in contrast, while, however
- An overall trend to finish
Avoid
- Every single value, read in order
- Exact figures you cannot read: use about, nearly, just over
- Reasons the chart does not show ("because people are lazy")
- Long silences while you look for the next number
- Starting with a detail before the overview
See it in action
A sample task and a model answer, grouped by stage.
- 1Overview~7s
“This bar chart shows how workers in Riverside travelled to work in 2025, in percentages.”
- 2Highest~10s
“By far the most popular option was driving a car, at 42 per cent, followed by public transit at 27 per cent.”
- 3Lowest~9s
“In contrast, the smallest group worked from home, at just 8 per cent, while cycling was only slightly higher at 10.”
- 4Compare~9s
“Walking sat in the middle at 13 per cent, so walking and cycling together made up less than a quarter.”
- 5Wrap-up~5s
“Overall, the chart shows that cars still dominate commuting in the city.”
Why it scores: It names what the chart measures, gives the top two and bottom two values with numbers, adds one comparison (less than a quarter), and finishes with the overall message. Every figure matches the chart, and the answer fits 40 seconds at a calm pace.
Make it stick
Three quick rounds: put the stages in order, spot the line that scores, then practise the timing out loud.
Put the stages in order
Tap the stage that comes first.
Say this, not that
1. Which scores higher?
2. Which scores higher?
3. Which scores higher?
4. Which scores higher?
Practise the timing
Look at the example above, press start and answer out loud. You get the test's 25 seconds to prepare, then the bar shows which stage you should be on.
Press start: 25 seconds to prepare, then 40 to speak
First up: Overview
This bar chart shows blank in blank in blank.
Mistakes that cost marks
- Reading every value instead of picking the highest, lowest and one comparison.
- Forgetting the overview, so the listener never learns what the numbers measure.
- Pausing to work out exact figures. Approximate: about, nearly, just over.
- Explaining causes the chart does not show.
- Running out of time before the wrap-up because the overview read every label.
Free to try
Use this template on a real Describe Image question
Open a question in the question bank. The template sits beside the task while you prepare, then shows which stage you should be on while you record, and you get a score on every answer.
Practise Describe ImageKeep going
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to mention every number on a PTE chart?
No. The highest, the lowest, one comparison and the overall trend are enough for a full answer in 40 seconds. Content rewards the key features and how they relate, not a complete list.
How do I describe a line graph instead of a bar chart?
Keep the same five parts, but make Highest and Lowest the peak and the low point, and use Compare for the trend between them: rose steadily, fell sharply, levelled off.