In Describe Image, you get 25 seconds to study an image and up to 40 seconds to describe it. It scores Speaking only, but it is the biggest task in the whole test: by Pearson's question weightings it is 31% of your Speaking score and 15% of your overall score. You do not need clever analysis or perfect grammar: you need a clear order, the key content and steady speech. Download our free class template for data images (bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and tables) below.
How Describe Image is scored
| Criterion | What earns marks |
|---|---|
| Content | Mentioning the key elements of the image: what it is, the main parts and the main values |
| Oral fluency | A steady pace with no long pauses, no repeated words and no restarting |
| Pronunciation | Clear speech, so every word can be understood |
Grammar is not marked in this task. A small slip in a detail costs very little; a long pause or a restart costs much more. So if you make a small mistake, keep going.
How long should you speak?
| Timing | What it means |
|---|---|
| 18 seconds | The minimum. Stopping before this loses marks. |
| About 25 seconds | Enough for a full answer. This is your real target. |
| 40 seconds | The limit, not the target. The microphone closes here. |
Students who try to fill all 40 seconds usually run out of things to say, then pause or repeat themselves. A smooth 25-second answer scores better than a 40-second answer full of gaps.
The class approach: four parts
- Introduction: say what type of image it is and what it is about, in one sentence.
- Key content: the lines that carry most of your content marks. For a graph or chart, cover the axes, the highest and lowest values, and any values that are similar. For a process or cycle, go through the steps in order. For a picture, describe the left side, the right side and the background.
- A flexible line: if the image has a lot of content, use it to mention elements you have not covered yet. If there is not much content and you still have time, use it to add one more point from the image.
- Conclusion: one short sentence that sums up what the image shows.
The free PDF above gives you the full data-image template with every line. The process and cycle template and the picture template are taught in our classes, along with practice on real exam-style images.
Put the template into your own words. Fill it with the real content of the image in front of you, so you do not sound like you are reciting a template. Same order every time, fresh words every time.
How to use the 25 seconds of preparation
- Read the title and the labels. They give you your introduction and axes.
- Find the highest and lowest values, and any two that look similar.
- Pick one extra element for your flexible line.
- Do not write sentences. Say your first sentence in your head so you can start straight away.
Sample answer (a bar chart)
This answer follows the class order: introduction, axes, highest and lowest, similar values, one more element, conclusion.
"This bar chart shows the number of international students in five Australian cities in 2024. The x-axis lists the cities, and the y-axis shows students from zero to 200,000. Melbourne has the highest number, about 180,000, while Adelaide has the lowest, about 40,000. Brisbane and Perth are similar, with around 60,000 each. Sydney also has a large number, about 160,000. Overall, Sydney and Melbourne attract the most students."
That is about 70 words, or roughly 25 seconds at a steady pace. It describes only what the image shows, with no opinions or reasons.
Mistakes that cost marks
- Pausing to find the perfect word or going back to fix grammar. Both hurt fluency.
- Chasing exact numbers. "About 180,000" is fine.
- Stretching to 40 seconds and filling the end with gaps.
- Reciting lines that do not match the image. Every sentence should describe something you can see.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a template for Describe Image?
Yes, as long as you use it as an order, not a script. Put the structure into your own words and fill it with the real content of the image, so you do not sound like you are reciting a template. Our free PDF gives you the data-image template to start with.
How long should my Describe Image answer be?
About 25 seconds is enough for a full answer. Speak for at least 18 seconds. The 40 seconds you are given is the limit, not the target.
What if I do not understand the image?
Describe what you can see: the title, the labels, the biggest and smallest parts and any numbers. Something simple and clear is always better than silence.
How many Describe Image questions are there?
Usually 5 or 6, which is part of why it carries so much of your Speaking score.
Our students get the process and picture templates, plus feedback on every recorded answer. See courses or message us on WhatsApp. Also read our Retell Lecture template.