Describe Image for PTE Speaking 2024 with Answers

Summary

This video offers strategies for acing the 'Describe Image' task in the PTE Speaking section. It covers how to approach various types of images, including line graphs, bar graphs, and maps. The presenter advises on analyzing titles, axes, and data trends within the given time frame, emphasizing the importance of sentence structure variety and fluency. Practical examples and tips are provided, such as using 'there was' constructions and verb-adverb combinations to describe data. The video also highlights the significance of practicing with model answers and encourages viewers to subscribe for more PTE preparation resources.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Describe Image' task is often challenging for students due to the difficulty in spontaneously finding the right grammatical structures.
• 🕒 On test day, students will encounter various types of visuals including line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, tables, processes, diagrams, flow charts, maps, timetables, floor plans, photos, and Venn diagrams.
• ⏳ Students are given 25 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to describe the image, focusing on introducing, describing, and concluding the data presented.
• 📊 The script emphasizes the importance of reading the title of the graph or image first to understand the context and what is being represented.
• 📈 It's crucial to understand the axes of the graph (x and y) to correctly interpret the data, such as years on the x-axis and sales figures on the y-axis.
• 📉 The video provides strategies for describing trends, such as using phrases like 'steady decline' or 'rose slightly then fell steadily' to vary sentence structure.
• 💬 The focus should be on delivery, pronunciation, and fluency, with an emphasis on quickly reading data and formulating sentences rapidly.
• 🔗 The video suggests practicing with high-quality 'Describe Image' tasks and model answers, available through a sign-up on the recommended platform.
• 🗺️ When describing maps, the video highlights the use of both active and passive sentences to describe data, such as emissions or usage statistics.
• 🌟 The video concludes with a full example response, demonstrating the use of various sentence structures and the importance of simplicity in describing images.

Q & A

What is the main challenge students face in the describe image speaking task?

Students often find it challenging to find the right grammatical structures to describe the image spontaneously.

How many describe image tasks can one expect on test day?

On test day, one can expect to receive three or four describe image tasks.

What types of images might one encounter in the describe image task?

One might encounter line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, tables, processes or diagrams, flow charts, maps, timetables, floor plans, photos, or even Venn diagrams.

How much time is allotted for preparation and speaking in the describe image task?

Candidates have 25 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to describe the image.

What are the key components one needs to include in their description of the data in the image?

One needs to introduce, describe, and conclude their description of the data in the image.

Why is it important to read the title of the graph or image during the preparation time?

Reading the title helps understand the context and what the graph or image represents, which is crucial for an accurate description.

How can one effectively describe trends or movements in data?

One can describe trends using phrases like 'there was a steady decline' or 'rose slightly and then fell steadily', using both adjective-noun and verb-adverb combinations.

What is the significance of practicing with high-quality describe image practice questions?

Practicing with high-quality questions helps replicate the actual test conditions and prepares candidates to be fully prepared for any image they might see on test day.

How does the speaker suggest one should approach describing data when time is limited?

The speaker recommends keeping it simple by choosing the highest and lowest data points and ignoring less significant data to manage time effectively.

What is the role of active and passive sentences in describing images?

Switching between active and passive sentences can add variety to the description and make the speech more engaging.

What advice does the speaker give for maintaining clarity and fluency in the describe image task?

The speaker advises focusing on delivery, pronunciation, and fluency, and practicing sentence structures to improve the ability to formulate sentences rapidly.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Mastering Image Description in Speaking Tasks

This paragraph introduces the challenge of the 'Describe Image' task, a common component of speaking assessments where students must spontaneously describe visual data within a limited time frame. The video aims to equip viewers with strategies to effectively articulate their observations on test day. It outlines the types of visual data they might encounter, such as line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, tables, and maps, and emphasizes the need to introduce, describe, and conclude the description within the allotted 25 seconds of preparation and 40 seconds of speaking time. The paragraph also encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel for more educational content and proceeds to dissect a line graph example, focusing on understanding the title, axes, and data trends. It introduces two sentence structures to describe data: using adjective-noun combinations and verb-adverb combinations, which are crucial for varying sentence types and enhancing fluency. The paragraph concludes with a call to action to practice with high-quality 'Describe Image' questions and model answers, available through a sign-up on the provided platform.

05:01

🌍 Describing Maps and Graphs with Active & Passive Voice

The second paragraph demonstrates how to describe a map showing average CO2 emissions per capita across different regions in 2019. It explains the concept of 'per capita' and provides a step-by-step guide on how to quickly analyze and describe the most significant data points, such as the highest and lowest emissions. The paragraph highlights the importance of simplifying the description by focusing on key data and using both active and passive voice sentences to add variety and clarity. It showcases a full response example, illustrating the use of active sentences to highlight the actions of the subjects and passive sentences to emphasize the data itself. The summary underscores the value of practicing with model answers and participating in live classes for further improvement, encouraging viewers to sign up for free on the provided platform to access these resources.

Keywords

💡Describe Image Task

The 'Describe Image Task' is a key component of the video's theme, focusing on the challenge of speaking spontaneously to describe visual data. It is a common task in language proficiency tests where students must analyze and articulate what they see in a graph, chart, or map within a limited time. In the video, the task involves preparing for 25 seconds and then speaking for 40 seconds to describe the image, requiring students to introduce, describe, and conclude the data shown.

💡Grammatical Structures

Grammatical structures are essential for effectively describing images, as they provide the framework for constructing clear and coherent sentences. The video emphasizes the importance of mastering various structures to enhance the description's fluency and accuracy. Examples from the script include using adjective-noun combinations and verb-adverb combinations to describe trends in data, such as 'a steady decline' or 'rose slightly.'

💡Data Trends

Data trends refer to the patterns or movements observed in the data presented in visual formats like graphs and charts. The video script uses data trends to illustrate how to describe changes over time, such as the decline in CD sales or the stability in LP sales. Understanding and articulating these trends is crucial for a successful 'Describe Image Task' as it demonstrates the student's ability to interpret and communicate the visual information.

💡Active and Passive Sentences

Active and passive sentences are grammatical structures that the video script uses to demonstrate sentence variety. Active sentences emphasize the subject performing the action, while passive sentences focus on the action's recipient. The video suggests using both to add diversity to the speech, which can help in describing images more dynamically. For instance, 'North Americans emitted the most CO2' (active) versus 'The most CO2 was emitted by North Americans' (passive).

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation is highlighted in the video as a critical aspect of the 'Describe Image Task' that affects the overall delivery of the speech. Clear and accurate pronunciation ensures that the description is easily understood by the listener. The video encourages practice to improve fluency and pronunciation, which are key to scoring well in language tests.

💡Fluency

Fluency in speaking is the ability to speak smoothly and without hesitation, which is essential for the 'Describe Image Task.' The video script emphasizes the need for rapid formulation of sentences based on the data observed in the image. Fluency is not just about speed but also about the natural flow of speech, which can be improved through practice and by using varied sentence structures.

💡Line Graph

A line graph is a type of data visualization that shows information as a series of data points connected by straight line segments. In the video, a line graph is used to demonstrate how to describe the sales of different music formats over time. The script guides viewers on how to analyze the graph's title, axes, and data points to effectively describe the trends.

💡CO2 Emissions

CO2 emissions are a specific data point discussed in the video within the context of a map describing average emissions per capita in various regions. The video uses this term to illustrate how to compare and contrast data points, focusing on the highest and lowest values for effective description. This example ties into broader discussions about environmental impact and global differences in emissions.

💡Per Capita

Per capita is a term used in the video to describe data on a per-person basis, as seen in the context of CO2 emissions. The video explains that 'per capita' means 'per person,' which is crucial for understanding and comparing data across populations of different sizes. This term helps in making the data more relatable and understandable.

💡Practice Questions

Practice questions are emphasized in the video as a means to prepare for the 'Describe Image Task.' The script encourages viewers to use high-quality practice questions with model answers to simulate the test environment and improve their skills. These questions help in familiarizing oneself with the task's requirements and in building confidence for the actual test day.

Highlights

Describe Image is the most challenging Speaking task for many students.

Students struggle to find the right grammatical structures to describe images spontaneously.

The video provides the best ways to describe any image for test preparation.

On test day, students will receive three or four Describe Image tasks.

Tasks include various types of graphs, tables, diagrams, maps, photos, and diagrams.

Students have 25 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to describe the image.

The description should include an introduction, body, and conclusion of the data in the image.

The video emphasizes the importance of subscribing to the channel for more PT videos.

Analyzing a line graph example to understand how to describe images.

Reading the title of the graph or image is the first step in the description process.

Understanding the x and y-axis is crucial for describing the data accurately.

Describing data trends using phrases like 'steady decline' or 'rose slightly'.

Using both adjective-noun and verb-adverb combinations to vary sentence structures.

The focus should be on delivery, pronunciation, and fluency, not just grammar.

Practicing with high-quality Describe Image questions is essential for improvement.

E2 offers free access to practice questions and model answers designed by test experts.

A full Describe Image answer example is provided, demonstrating various sentence structures.

Active and passive sentences can be used to describe maps and other images.

Choosing the highest and lowest data points simplifies the description process.

The video concludes with an invitation to sign up for free and join live classes.

Transcripts

describe image is the most difficult pt

speaking task

many students find speaking

spontaneously challenging because they

can't find the right grammatical

structures to describe the image

in this video i'm going to show you the

best ways to describe any image you see

on test day

let's quickly recap what you're going to

see and what you have to do on test day

so you'll get three or four describe

image tasks that look something like

this

this is a line graph

but you might also get

a bar graph or pie chart or a

combination

a table

a process or diagram

a flow chart

a map

a time table

a floor plan a photo

or even a venn diagram

you'll have 25 seconds to prepare to

speak and then 40 seconds to describe

the image

you need to introduce

describe and conclude your description

of the data in the image

okay so before we look at key

grammatical structures you need for

describe image make sure to click that

subscribe button and subscribe to this

youtube channel for trustworthy pt

videos okay let's analyze a describe

image together

all right so imagine the time starts and

we have 25 seconds to understand the

image before we begin saying anything

the first thing you need to do is read

the title every graph or image you see

will have a title

music album sales in the united states

by format

and if you look carefully you can see

three different formats cd digital and

lp

these formats correspond to the colors

of the lines so you can see the green

purple and black line

let's now check the x axis or the

horizontal axis down the bottom

it's showing years from 2011 to 2021.

now the y-axis or the vertical axis

shows the number of sales in increments

of 50 million from zero to 250 million

obviously you wouldn't be this slow on

test day but i wanted to do a more

rigorous analysis with you because

you'll see lots of line graphs

let's now take a look at the actual data

because this is what you need to

describe all the stuff i've just shown

you only helps you to understand the

movement or the trends of the data

all right what's the first thing you

notice

take a look at the green line there was

a steady decline in cd sales over the

years

or you could say cd sales declined

steadily over the years

notice the two ways i can describe data

here i can describe that decline by

saying there was a steady decline an

adjective and a noun and i'm using the

phrase there was

alternatively i can use verb adverb

declined steadily

keep these two sentence structures in

mind that will help you to vary your

sentences

what about the purple line

well you could say sales of digital rose

slightly and then fell steadily

here we're using a verb adverb

combination rose slightly

fell steadily

and instead of saying digital sales

we're saying sales of digital to vary

our sentences

i don't want to give you the wrong idea

here your focus in describe image should

be on the delivery of your speech your

pronunciation and your fluency

but by practicing these types of phrases

and getting a better idea of how to

rearrange your sentence types you'll get

much better at describe image

it's all about your ability to quickly

read data and then your ability to

formulate sentences rapidly

if you look at the black line the sales

of lps

well it remained relatively stable

before a late surge

why relatively stable well it's

relatively stable relative to the other

lines or the other music formats that's

why we say relatively it's a nice adverb

okay before i show you a full top

scoring example i want to talk to you

about the importance of doing high

quality describe image practice

questions with model answers

sign up for free at e2 to get access to

dozens of high quality describe image

practice questions with model answers

designed by test experts that replicate

the actual test

these questions and answers will allow

you to be fully prepared on test day for

any image you see click the link in the

description to sign up for free

okay i'm now going to do a full describe

image answer for you and put it all

together listen to the various sentence

structures and phrases i've just shown

you listen for there was adjective noun

and verb adverb combinations

this line graph represents the number of

music albums sold by format in the

united states from 2011 to 2021

including cd digital and lp

there was a steady decline in cd sales

over the years dropping from about 240

million at the start of the period to

less than 50 million by 2021

while sales of digital music rose

slightly at the start of the period they

then fell steadily

as for lp sales it was relatively stable

over the period before a late surge

around 2019.

overall cd and digital sales have fallen

considerably

okay let's do another one this time

we'll look at a map and we'll focus on

active and passive sentences

maps are a little less common but still

very important

here's what it looks like

let's read the title it says

average co2 emissions per capita in

selected regions in 2019 in tons

what does per capita mean

per capita means

per person

so if we look back at the map we can see

that north americans omitted that's an

important verb here about 21 tons of co2

per capita or per person while

sub-saharan africans only emitted 1.6

tons of co2 per capita or per person

now when you describe any image you have

to make quick decisions very quick

decisions about which data you're going

to describe and you'll have to ignore

neglect leave out a lot of data because

you simply don't have time to describe

it

my recommendation in pt speaking

describe image is keep it really simple

choose the highest as we saw in north

america and choose the lowest as we saw

sub-saharan africa

and if you find yourself with 20 seconds

left then pick the second highest or the

second lowest simple as that

all right now let's think about some

critical language structures that we can

use

so we can use the verb omitted here in

an active sentence we can say

north americans emitted the most co2

or we can use a passive sentence and put

co2 at the start and say the most co2

was emitted by north americans

so keep in mind switching between active

and passive sentences that can be very

helpful

also if you want to use a different verb

than omitted you can just say used

it's not quite right but pt doesn't

expect you to be 100 accurate with your

language in this task again we're

talking about grammar and sentence

structure but your aim should be to

speak clearly and fluently

let me show you a complete response

listen for the active sentences i'll

highlight them in green and listen for

the passive sentences i'll highlight

them in purple

this map of the world shows the average

co2 emissions by capita in various

countries in 2021 measured in tons

north americans emitted the highest

amount of co2 at 20.8 tonnes per capita

this was followed by europeans who used

nearly 10 tons of co2

the lowest amount of co2 was used by

sub-saharan africans they emitted only

1.6 tons of co2 per person substantially

less than all the other countries

overall there are substantial

differences between regions of the world

in terms of how much co2 they emit

hopefully you heard my use of both

active and passive sentences and how i

kept my description very simple

remember to sign up for free at e2 and

practice your describe image with our

high quality practice questions and

model answers also if you sign up for

free you can join our live classes with

expert teachers to conquer any pt

speaking task

click the link in the description below

thanks very much for watching hopefully

i'll see you on e2

[Music]

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