PTE Home B1 Describe Image

What Describe Image is

Describe Image is a speaking task on the PTE Home B1 test. A picture appears on the screen. You have 25 seconds to prepare (Pearson). Then you speak into your microphone. A computer scores the answer, and no human examiner listens to it (Pearson).

At A1 there are 5 Describe Image tasks, and at A2 there are 4 or 5 (A1, A2). The length of the speaking time for each picture is not stated on the pages we reviewed, so check the handbook or your test centre instructions.

What happens in the test, step by step

1. The picture appears. The 25-second preparation time begins.
2. Look at the whole picture first, then at the details.
3. When the time ends, you speak. You cannot record again (Pearson handbook).
4. The next task starts. You do this 4 or 5 times.

You hear other test takers in the room, so stay calm and keep to your own answer.

A simple plan for any picture

Use four steps. They work for photos, charts and drawings.

1. Say what it is. "This is a picture of a busy market."
2. Say the main things you see. People, objects, places, numbers.
3. Say what is happening. Use the present continuous: "A man is buying fruit."
4. Finish with one idea. "It looks like a happy place on a sunny day."

Pearson says unnatural pausing, hesitation and poor enunciation may be reflected in scores (handbook). So keep speaking in a steady way. If you cannot find a word, use a simple word instead and continue.

How to practise

Choose any picture: a family photo, a street scene, a bus timetable or a simple bar chart. Describe a picture like these, for example: a kitchen with two people cooking, or a chart showing how many people use the bus each day.

• Look for exactly 25 seconds. Use a timer.
• Speak using your plan from the section above.
• Record yourself, then listen. Did you pause for long? Did you say the end of each word?
• Do not memorise a speech. Use the plan with new pictures each time.

You can practise Describe Image with an AI examiner on this site, with the 25-second preparation timer and one attempt. Do not rely on your first attempt being perfect. Read the full guide: PTE Home B1.