PTE Core Speaking · Describe Image
PTE Core Describe Image Template: Photos and Scenes
A tour of the picture from the big picture to the edges: one line on what it shows, the main focus, one more detail, the setting, and a closing impression. You never run dry, and you never trail off.
25 seconds to prepare · 40 seconds to speak
The 40-second photo tour: remember it as
- Overview
- Focus
- Detail
- Setting
- Wrap-up
When to use it: The image is a photo or a scene: people doing something, a place, an event. Most Describe Image items in the question bank are photos.
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
6sOne sentence on what the picture shows overall.
Starters
- This picture shows blank in blank.
- In this photo, I can see blank at blank.
- This image shows a group of blank who are blank.
Do
- The scene and the main activity in one breath
Avoid
- "Umm, okay, so this is a picture": start with the content
Earns:ContentFluency
- 2
Focus
12sThe most noticeable person or thing: who, where, and what they are doing.
Starters
- In the centre, blank is blank, and blank.
- The most noticeable part is blank, who is blank.
- In the foreground, there is blank wearing blank.
Do
- A position word: in the centre, on the left, in the foreground
- One action and one visual detail (colour, clothing, expression)
Avoid
- Guessing names, ages or exact numbers you cannot see
Earns:ContentFluency
- 3
Detail
9sA second feature, linked to the first with a connector.
Starters
- Next to that, there is blank with blank.
- On the left, I can see blank, such as blank.
- In comparison, blank looks blank.
Do
- A connector: next to that, on the right, in comparison
- A short list of what you see: such as, including
Avoid
- Listing ten objects with no sentence around them
Earns:ContentFluency
- 4
Setting
7sThe background: the place, time of day or weather.
Starters
- In the background, there are blank and blank.
- It looks like blank on a blank day.
- Behind them, I can see blank.
Do
- Where and when it seems to be, said as an impression
Avoid
- Stopping here: always finish with the wrap-up
Earns:ContentFluency
- 5
Wrap-up
6sA closing impression that ties the picture together.
Starters
- Overall, the image gives a blank impression of blank.
- In general, it shows how blank.
- Overall, it looks like blank.
Do
- "Overall" plus one adjective about the whole scene
Avoid
- Trailing off when you run out of things to say
Earns:ContentFluency
What to do, what to avoid
Do
- An overview sentence first, before any detail
- Two or three features with position words
- Connectors between features: next to that, in comparison, behind them
- A planned closing line starting "Overall"
- A steady, natural pace with no long pauses
Avoid
- Long pauses and restarts, which cost Fluency
- Guesses at names, ages or numbers you cannot see
- A flat list of objects with no sentences around them
- Opinions about the people ("she looks lazy")
- Rushing to say more: pace beats quantity
See it in action
A sample task and a model answer, grouped by stage.
- 1Overview~6s
“This picture shows an outdoor farmers' market on a sunny morning, with several people shopping.”
- 2Focus~12s
“In the centre, a vendor in a green apron is handing a paper bag of red apples to a customer in a denim jacket, and both of them are smiling.”
- 3Detail~9s
“In the foreground, there are wooden crates full of fresh vegetables, such as carrots, tomatoes and leafy greens, on a long table.”
- 4Setting~7s
“In the background, I can see white tents, a few trees and more shoppers walking between the stalls.”
- 5Wrap-up~6s
“Overall, the image gives a lively, friendly impression of a local community market.”
Why it scores: It opens with the whole scene, then moves from the centre to the foreground to the background with a position word each time, so the listener can follow. The planned wrap-up ends the answer on purpose, inside 40 seconds.
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 picture shows blank in blank.
Mistakes that cost marks
- Spending the 25 seconds staring instead of picking the overview line and two features.
- Starting with tiny details before saying what the picture shows.
- Running out of things to say at 25 seconds and going silent.
- Correcting yourself mid-sentence. Keep going: a small slip costs less than a restart.
- Speaking very fast to fit more in. Fluency rewards a natural rhythm.
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
How much should I say in PTE Core Describe Image?
About 40 seconds of steady speech, which is roughly 90 to 110 words. The template's five parts add up to 40 seconds, so if you finish the wrap-up a little early, simply stop.
What if I can't tell what something in the image is?
Describe it in general terms ("some equipment", "a large building") or skip it and describe something you can see clearly. A confident general description scores better than a wrong specific one.