PTE Describe Image Examples | Sample Answers & Practice
Bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, maps, diagrams — every image type covered with sample answers and real tips.
Before You Start
Out of all the speaking tasks in the PTE, Describe Image is the one that makes most people go blank. You see a graph or a diagram, 25 seconds start ticking, and your brain just... freezes.
Here's why that happens — most people try to describe everything they see. That's the wrong approach. The examiner doesn't want a full tour of every data point. They want a clear, structured, fluent description of what matters most.
Once you understand that, Describe Image becomes a lot less scary. This blog walks you through every image type with sample answers you can actually learn from.
How to use this blog:
Read the image description carefully (imagine you're looking at it)
Try to form your own answer before reading the sample
Compare your answer with the sample
Note the structure — intro, key points, conclusion
Record yourself saying the sample answer out loud
Quick Snapshot
Task: Look at an image and describe it in 40 seconds
Prep time: 25 seconds to study the image before speaking
Number of questions: 5–6 in the actual exam
Skills tested: Speaking — Content, Oral Fluency & Pronunciation
Image types: Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, tables, maps, process diagrams, photos
The Simple 3-Step Formula
Every single Describe Image answer — no matter what type — should follow this structure:
Step 1 — Introduction: Say what the image is and what it shows. One sentence.
Step 2 — Key Features: Pick 2–3 of the most important things — highest, lowest, biggest trend, main comparison. Don't try to cover everything.
Step 3 — Conclusion: One sentence wrapping it up. A summary, a comparison, or a prediction.
That's it. Stick to this and you will never run out of things to say.
Sample Questions Answers by Image Type
Type 1: Bar Chart
Image description: A bar chart showing the market share of sneaker brands. Nike leads at 35%, Adidas follows at 25%, Puma and Reebok are tied at 15% each, and Under Armour has the lowest at 10%.
Sample Answer:
"This bar chart illustrates the market share of five major sneaker brands. Nike dominates the market with the highest share at 35%, followed by Adidas at 25%. Puma and Reebok hold equal shares of 15% each, while Under Armour has the smallest market share at just 10%. Overall, Nike and Adidas together control more than half the market, suggesting they are the most preferred brands among consumers."
What makes this answer good: It opens with what the chart is about, names the highest and lowest clearly, makes a comparison, and ends with a simple conclusion.
Type 2: Line Graph
Image description: A line graph tracking internet usage (as a percentage of population) in Germany, Argentina, Thailand, and Cameroon from 1990 to 2021. Germany leads with rapid growth from the late 1990s, reaching above 80% by 2021. Argentina and Thailand follow similar upward trends. Cameroon remains significantly lower throughout.
Sample Answer:
"This line graph shows the percentage of the population using the internet in four countries between 1990 and 2021. Germany experienced the most rapid growth, rising sharply from the late 1990s and reaching over 80% by 2021. Argentina and Thailand followed a similar upward trend, though slightly lower. Cameroon, in contrast, showed minimal growth throughout the period and remained well below the other three countries. Overall, the data suggests a clear digital divide between developed and developing nations."
What makes this answer good: It describes the trend over time, highlights the outlier (Cameroon), and draws a meaningful conclusion.
Type 3: Pie Chart
Image description: A pie chart showing sources of revenue for a charity. Donated food accounts for 86.6%, cash donations make up 8.2%, and other sources contribute 5.2%.
Sample Answer:
"This pie chart presents the revenue sources for a charitable organisation. The majority of income, at 86.6%, came from donated food, making it by far the largest contributor. Cash donations accounted for a much smaller share at 8.2%, while other sources made up the remaining 5.2%. In summary, donated food is overwhelmingly the primary source of funding for this charity, with monetary contributions playing a relatively minor role."
What makes this answer good: Short, clear, and uses comparison language like "by far" and "much smaller" to show contrast naturally.
Type 4: Table
Image description: A table comparing three teams — A, B, and C — across four seasons of a competition. Team B consistently scores the highest across all seasons. Teams A and C have similar, lower scores.
Sample Answer:
"This table compares the scores of three teams across four competition seasons. Team B consistently achieved the highest scores throughout all four seasons, standing out as the strongest performer. Teams A and C recorded similar and noticeably lower scores across the same period. The data clearly indicates that Team B outperformed the others at every stage, while the gap between Team A and Team C remained relatively small throughout."
What makes this answer good: It identifies the main pattern quickly and uses comparison language without trying to read every single number from the table.
Also Read: How To Score Full in PTE Describe Image 2026
Type 5: Process Diagram / Flowchart
Image description: A diagram showing the water cycle — evaporation from oceans and lakes, condensation forming clouds, precipitation as rain or snow, and water flowing back to rivers and oceans.
Sample Answer:
"This diagram illustrates the natural water cycle and its four main stages. The process begins with evaporation, where water from oceans and lakes rises into the atmosphere due to heat. This water vapour then cools and condenses to form clouds. The third stage is precipitation, where water falls back to the earth as rain or snow. Finally, the water flows through rivers and streams back into the oceans, completing the cycle. Overall, this is a continuous and self-sustaining natural process."
What makes this answer good: It uses sequencing words — "begins with," "then," "third stage," "finally" — which are perfect for process diagrams and show strong fluency.
Type 6: Map
Image description: A map showing the development of a village called Ryemouth between 1995 and the present. A fishing port in 1995 has been replaced by a hotel and tourist facilities. New roads and residential areas have been added.
Sample Answer:
"This map compares the layout of the village of Ryemouth in 1995 with its current state. The most significant change is the replacement of the fishing port with a hotel and tourist facilities, suggesting a shift from an industrial to a tourism-based economy. New roads have also been constructed, improving connectivity across the village. Additionally, residential areas have expanded considerably compared to 1995. Overall, Ryemouth has undergone substantial development, transforming from a small fishing community into a more commercially developed area."
What makes this answer good: It talks about change over time — which is exactly what maps test. The conclusion goes one step further by interpreting what the change suggests.
Type 7: Photo / Picture
Image description: A photo of two signboards placed in a historic garden, surrounded by trees and well-maintained pathways.
Sample Answer:
"This photograph shows a peaceful historic garden with two signboards prominently placed along a well-maintained pathway. The garden features mature trees and neatly kept surroundings, suggesting it is a public space or a heritage site. The signboards likely provide information or directions for visitors. Overall, the image gives the impression of a well-preserved outdoor area that welcomes and guides visitors through its grounds."
What makes this answer good: For photos, there's no data to report — so you describe what you see, make a reasonable inference, and wrap up. Don't overthink it.
Type 8: Double Bar Chart
Image description: A double bar chart comparing government harassment of religious groups and government interference in worship across countries from 2007 to 2021. Both indicators show a clear upward trend — rising from around 112–118 countries in 2007 to 163–183 countries by 2021.
Sample Answer:
"This double bar chart tracks two measures of government restriction on religion — harassment of religious groups and interference in worship — across multiple countries between 2007 and 2021. Both indicators show a consistent upward trend throughout the period. In 2007, approximately 118 countries reported government harassment and 112 experienced interference in worship. By 2021, these figures had risen significantly to 183 and 163 countries respectively. Overall, the data points to a notable global increase in government restrictions on religious freedom over the fourteen-year period."
What makes this answer good: It handles two data sets cleanly, gives specific numbers where possible, and draws a clear overall conclusion. Also Read:- Bar Graph PTE Describe Image – Tips, Templates, and Examples For 2026
Useful Phrases to Know
These phrases will help you sound more fluent and natural in any Describe Image answer.
To introduce:
"This bar chart illustrates..."
"The graph shows..."
"This diagram presents..."
"The image compares..."
To describe trends:
"There is a steady increase in..."
"...declined significantly between..."
"...remained relatively stable..."
"...reached its peak in..."
To compare:
"In contrast to..."
"While X increased, Y decreased..."
"X is considerably higher than..."
"Both X and Y show similar patterns..."
To conclude:
"Overall, the data suggests..."
"In summary, it is clear that..."
"The image indicates a clear trend toward..."
Tips to Actually Score Well
1. Don't try to describe everything You have 40 seconds. If you try to cover every detail, you'll either rush or run out of time. Pick 2–3 key points and describe them well. That's the strategy.
2. Always use the 25 seconds of prep time Most people just stare at the image. Instead, mentally build your intro sentence and identify your 2–3 key points. By the time the mic opens, you should already know what you're going to say.
3. Start speaking immediately when the beep sounds Don't pause to think after the beep. Any silence at the start counts against your fluency score. Have your intro sentence ready before the beep even happens.
4. Use sequencing words for process diagrams "First," "then," "next," "finally" — these are gold for flowcharts and process diagrams. They keep your answer structured and sound natural.
5. Use comparison language for charts and graphs Words like "higher than," "in contrast," "significantly more," and "similar to" show the examiner you understand the data and can communicate it clearly.
6. Always end with a conclusion Even one simple sentence like "Overall, the data suggests a clear upward trend" is enough. Never stop mid-description without wrapping up — it sounds incomplete and drops your content score.
7. Don't memorise answers — memorise structure Every image you see in the exam will be different. What stays the same is the three-step formula — intro, key features, conclusion. Learn the structure, not the words.
8. Speak for at least 30 seconds Too short means not enough content. Too long means rushing at the end. Aim for 35–38 seconds — enough to cover the key points properly without feeling forced.
Conclusion
Describe Image is one of those tasks where having a clear structure makes all the difference. Without it, 40 seconds feels chaotic. With it, 40 seconds is actually plenty of time to say something meaningful and score well.
The 8 image types above cover everything you're likely to see in your actual exam. Practice each type, stick to the three-step formula, and record yourself regularly to hear where you're improving.
But here's the truth — practicing sample answers in isolation only takes you so far. What really prepares you is attempting Describe Image as part of a full speaking section, with all the pressure and pacing of the real test.
That's where Gurully comes in. Head over to Gurully and take a full PTE mock test today. Gurully's AI-powered platform scores your Describe Image responses instantly — just like the actual exam — so you know exactly where your content, fluency, and pronunciation stand. No guesswork, just clear feedback you can act on.
The structure is in your head. The samples are done. Now go test yourself for real on Gurully. 🎯
Also Read:
PTE Repeat Sentence Practice | Practice Questions & Answers
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