Decoding Bar Graph PTE: Sample Questions & Answers

The PTE (Pearson Test of English) is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests. It has three sections: speaking & writing, reading, and listening. The speaking & writing section lasts 54-67 minutes and has seven unique question types. One of these is the describe image task. It is the part where bar graph PTE questions are often seen. 

Learn how to crack this question type and prepare with sample questions here.

How to Analyze Bar Graph for PTE 

Bar graphs or charts are common questions that are often asked in the Describe Image task of the PTE Academic. Now, the question is, how do you analyze the bar graph? Here are some pointers to help you out: 

• You should begin by focusing on the main aspects of the bar graph. Look for details of the topic, title, and categories (if any) in the bar graph/chart. 
• Find the highest and lowest figures for each category. 
• Look for any significant patterns or trends. For instance, are there any increasing or decreasing values?
• Jot down these observations in your erasable notebook so that you have all the necessary information readily available to speak. 
• Organize your information well; this allows you to cover both the main and additional details, thereby enabling you to get a better score. 

Format of Bar Graph PTE Question 

Here is a breakdown of the format for describing a bar graph in the PTE Describe Image task:

• You will get 25 seconds to analyze the image and think of a suitable response. Focusing on as many details as possible is essential to prepare a thorough answer. 
• After a short tone, you will have to begin speaking and continue until the progress bar concludes.
• Do not speak before you hear the tone since your voice will not be recorded. 
• Your answer should include a starting statement, a main body covering key details, and a conclusion. 
• Upon finishing the answer, the Recording status will change to Completed. 
• It is important to remember that you will get only 40 seconds to record your response. Moreover, you will be allowed to answer only once.

Sample Questions and Answers for Bar Graph PTE

Here are a few sample bar graph PTE questions that will give you an idea of what to expect in the examination and prepare well. 

1.Describe the bar graph below 

Answer:
The bar graph depicts the average rainfall in inches for four cities in the United States. Rainfall in New York is the highest at 47.25 inches, followed by Dallas at 33.70 inches and Honolulu at 22.02 inches. Phoenix gets the least rainfall of the four at 7.66 inches. Hence, it can be inferred that New York receives the highest rainfall while Phoenix gets the lowest. 

2.Describe the bar graph below

Answer:
The bar graph shows the proportion of trips made by mode in Sydney in the year 2004. It is apparent that 72% of people traveled by vehicle, followed by 19% taking the train, bus, and ferry. Moreover, 17% preferred to walk, while 2% constituted the other category and took other means of transport. Thus, the highest proportion of trips in 2004 in Sydney were made via vehicles, while the lowest proportion was contributed by other modes. 

3.Describe the graph below: 

Answer: The given graph illustrates the colors of vehicles involved in total-loss collisions. The highest number belongs to green-colored vehicles, with over 50 collisions. This was followed by red, black, white, and blue. Moreover, grey vehicles had the lowest number of collisions, only 20. Thus, we can conclude that green color vehicles had the highest frequency of collisions, whereas grey had the lowest. 

Tips to Effectively Answer Bar Graph PTE Question 

Here are some tips that may help you answer bar graph PTE questions effectively: 

• Begin with a regular statement, such as the given graph shows or depicts information/details, etc. 
• Closely observe the title of the graph along with the other categories. 
• Create a blueprint after observing the graph from left to right and from top to bottom. This will help you answer properly. 
• Be careful about creating a logical answer and use words you are comfortable with. 
• Pronounce every word clearly without being in a hurry. 
• Try to find trends or patterns if the graph seems more detailed. 
• You can compare between one or multiple data points to complete the task faster. 

Conclusion

The bar graph PTE task is a crucial one that requires swift analysis and thinking on your part. With the above-mentioned insights and regular practice, you can certainly master this question should you encounter it in the PTE examination. 

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