PTE Describe Image template for 12 image types

A sentence plan for each of the 12 image types, from line graphs to photos, with the linking words to join them.

By Thanh Tran, co-founder and PTE instructor
Updated October 2026

Page 2 of the Describe Image template PDF

Page 4 of the Describe Image template PDF

The first page of the Describe Image template PDF

Which image is it?

The cheat sheet has a page for each of the 12 kinds of image. Find yours here, then turn to its page.

Line graph
Lines that go up and down over time
Page 4
Bar chart
Bars side by side, in groups or stacked
Page 5
Pie chart
A circle cut into slices
Page 6
Table
Rows and columns of numbers
Page 7
Two charts together
Two charts, or bars with a line on top
Page 8
Map of countries
A world or country map with a colour key
Page 9
Map of a place or floor plan
A town, an island, a building or the rooms of a home
Page 10
Process or flow chart
Boxes or pictures joined by arrows
Page 11
Natural cycle
Arrows in a circle: an animal, a plant, water
Page 12
Labelled diagram
One object, building or living thing with labels on its parts
Page 13
Pyramid or ranking
A triangle in levels, or jobs from the top down
Page 14
Photo or picture
A photo or drawing with no numbers
Page 15

Also in the PDFLinking wordsMoving to the next sentenceNumbers you can't read exactlyMore ways to compareChange over time

How to use it

Find your image type. While you look at the image, pick one option for each sentence.
Sentence 1: say the title, plus the years and units. No title? Say what it shows.
Fill every blue gap from the image. If you can't, pick another option.
Can't read a number exactly? Round it and say “about”.
Keep talking. If you stop for 3 seconds, the recording ends.

The line graph template

Page 4 of the cheat sheet, as it prints. Pick one option for each sentence and fill the blue gaps.

Blue: take it from the image.Bold: a linking phrase.

Line graph

Page 4

What it is
- Say the titleThis line graph shows the title, from year to year, in units.
- Two or more linesThis line graph compares the title for A, B and C between year and year.
The main point
- One clear trendX rose from number in year to number in year.
- A high pointX peaked at number in year.
- Two or more linesA was the highest line for the whole period, at about number.
A detail
- It changed directionAfter that, it fell steadily to number in year.
- It stayed flatThen it stayed at about number until year.
- A second lineLooking at B, it rose from number to number.
Another detail
- The lines crossIn contrast, B rose and passed A in year.
- A low pointAt the other end, the lowest point was number, in year.
- Up and downFor the rest of the period, it went up and down between number and number.
Overall
- Up or downOverall, what went up over the period.
- Up and downOverall, X went up and down, but ended close to where it started.
- Two or more linesOverall, A and B moved in opposite directions.
In conclusionIf you have time
- What may happen nextIn conclusion, if this trend continues, X will keep rising.
- A reasonIn conclusion, the rise may be because of reason.
- What it meansIn conclusion, the best time for sales seems to be early spring.

Line graph: Dubai gold sales in 2002

This line graph shows Dubai gold sales in 2002, month by month, in millions of dirhams.
Sales peaked in March, at about 350 million.
After that, they fell steadily to about 120 million in July.
Then they rose to just over 200 million in August, but dropped back to 120 million in September.
Overall, sales went up and down, and ended the year at about 190 million, close to where they started.
In conclusion, the best time for gold sales in Dubai seems to be early spring.

Practise Describe Image PTE Describe Image: timing and scoring Are templates allowed in PTE?

More PDFs

Common questions

Are templates allowed in PTE Describe Image?

Pearson tells you not to use memorised answers or templated sentences, and an answer learned by heart can score 0 for content. The cheat sheet gives you sentence plans with gaps, and you fill every gap from the image. Learn the shape, not the sentences, and every answer you give is about the question in front of you.

Which image types does the cheat sheet cover?

Twelve: line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables, two charts together, maps of countries, maps of places and floor plans, processes and flow charts, natural cycles, labelled diagrams, pyramids and rankings, and photos.

How do I use it in the 25 seconds?

Find the image type first. While you study the image, pick one option for each sentence. Then speak, and fill each blue gap with what you see.

How long should I speak in Describe Image?

You have 40 seconds. Aim for 30 to 40. If you stop for 3 seconds, the recording ends.

Is the PDF free?

Yes. Enter your email and it downloads at once. Your email also opens a free Leap English Pathways account, where you can practise with real exam questions. Every PDF on this site is open to that account. Pro adds feedback on every speaking and writing answer.