PTE Useful Tips

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD SUMMARY IN PTE

1.Skim the entire passage to get an idea of its general content. You should be able to answer the question “What is the passage mainly about?

2. Scan the entire passage for key words and phrases. Words and phrases that are repeated throughout the passage are usually important. Make a note of these.

3. If there are multiple paragraphs, the first paragraph will typically be an introduction to the topic, and will often include a brief description of what will be discussed.

4. The last paragraph will typically close with a conclusion

5.Each paragraph will have its own topic sentence expressing the main idea. Typically, the topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph (Rest of things are supporting arguments)

6.The task of summarizing a multi-paragraph passage is sometimes made easier by briefly summarizing each paragraph first, and then combining these summaries into a single summary. Make a brief summary of each paragraph as you finish reading it. You do not need full sentences at this point.

7. Keep your summary to a maximum of 40-45 words. The response box has an indicator that will tell you how many words you have written. If you are getting close to your word limit, but still need to write more, edit your sentence to remove unnecessary words, especially adjectives. These can often be omitted.

8. Use punctuations like comma, colon and apostrophe. You have to use the single full stop in the end of the sentence.                        

DESCRIBE IMAGE

1.How to describe bar graph:

For a bar graph, having more information, use the following technique:

The bar graph shows -------(title of graph)

in millions/percentage etc (unit of provided graph). It is clear from the bar graph that highest----is observed for ------ followed by second highest percentage of --------,while an equivalent-----------of----- is found for -------- and -------.However, a lowest------- of ---- is recorded for---------.

For a bar graph, having less information, explain each point step by step. Make things easy and clear for yourself.

2. How to describe line graph:

The line graph describes------- in --------.It is clear from the graph that------ remains constant/slight change/increase/decrease from ---------year to -------year, while from --------year to --------year, there is a significant rise/fall/upsurge/decline/increase/decrease in it.

3. How to describe a diagram:

The diagram shows---------.The initial stage is -------followed by-------,which is----------,then modified into-------,the next step is -------- ,which gives rise to------,and then finally it's modified/converted/transformed into———.

4.How to describe a picture:

The picture shows----------which consists of----------.

(Whatever you face or notice in the picture explain it straightaway without taking into account the grammar and vocabulary, as you will end up committing mistakes at the end).

While speaking, don’t think about which words to use to link the information with words.Just keep on speaking. Don’t speak off the topic.

How to describe a pie chart:

The pie chart describes----------.A highest proportion of ----% is found for -----,followed by second highest proportion of ---%,an equivalent % of ----- and ---- is observed for -------and ------,while a lowest -----% of ------ is recorded for ------.

Please describe the graph using present tense. It doesn't matter whether the graph is from future or past perspective because if you do so, then you will end up making the grammatical mistakes.

Please make things more precise, clear and simple.