PTE · Describe Image

Origins and Impacts of Superstitions: PTE Describe Image practice questions

4 original Describe Image questions. Question 1 is free to record, play back and compare with a sample answer right here; log in free to practise the rest in the BandLadder app.
  • 4 questions
  • Question 1 free, no login
  • PTE Academic and PTE Core
1

Origins of Common Superstitions

Free to try, no login

Look at the image below. You have 25 seconds to study it, then 40 seconds to describe in detail what it shows.

Historical Roots of Recorded Folklore Beliefs (%). Protective rituals 35, Agricultural omens 25, Religious traditions 20, Maritime taboos 12, Medical folklore 8.

Historical Roots of Recorded Folklore Beliefs (%)
  • Protective rituals: 35%
  • Agricultural omens: 25%
  • Religious traditions: 20%
  • Maritime taboos: 12%
  • Medical folklore: 8%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Protective rituals35
Agricultural omens25
Religious traditions20
Maritime taboos12
Medical folklore8

Your recording stays in this browser: it is not uploaded or stored.

Questions 2–4

Look at the image below. You have 25 seconds to study it, then 40 seconds to describe in detail what it shows.

Read them here; log in to answer and check them.

2

Pre-Match Rituals by Athletic Tier

Adherence to Pre-Match Superstitions (Percentage of athletes). Strict routine adherence: Amateur 22, Semi-pro 38, Professional 54, Elite international 68. Casual ritual adherence: Amateur 45, Semi-pro 41, Professional 30, Elite international 18.

Adherence to Pre-Match Superstitions (Percentage of athletes)
020406080100AmateurSemi-proProfessionalElite international
  • Strict routine adherence
  • Casual ritual adherence
View the data
AmateurSemi-proProfessionalElite international
Strict routine adherence22385468
Casual ritual adherence45413018
3

Amulet Usage and Anxiety Levels

Reported Anxiety During Examination Period (Mean anxiety score out of 100). With lucky charm: Week 1 30, Week 2 34, Week 3 42, Week 4 55, Week 5 48, Week 6 32. Without lucky charm: Week 1 31, Week 2 39, Week 3 52, Week 4 74, Week 5 63, Week 6 35.

Reported Anxiety During Examination Period (Mean anxiety score out of 100)
020406080100Week 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6
  • With lucky charm
  • Without lucky charm
View the data
Week 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6
With lucky charm303442554832
Without lucky charm313952746335
4

Development of Magical Thinking

Formation Cycle of Superstitious Behaviour. Stage 1: Unpredictable environmental stressor occurs. Stage 2: Individual performs coincidental action. Stage 3: Favourable outcome happens by chance. Stage 4: Cognitive association forms between action and outcome. Stage 5: Ritual repetition reinforces perceived causal control. Stage 6: Superstition solidifies under continued uncertainty.

Formation Cycle of Superstitious Behaviour
  1. 1.Unpredictable environmental stressor occurs
  2. 2.Individual performs coincidental action
  3. 3.Favourable outcome happens by chance
  4. 4.Cognitive association forms between action and outcome
  5. 5.Ritual repetition reinforces perceived causal control
  6. 6.Superstition solidifies under continued uncertainty

Want to answer the other 3?

Log in to practise Describe Image in the BandLadder app: the full question bank, with an AI score from BandLadder AI for content, pronunciation and oral fluency on a free account.

Ready for the whole test?

Take a full PTE mock with every question type, the real timings and a score on Pearson's 10–90 scale the moment you finish.

Try a free PTE mock →

Keep practising

More Describe Image sets

Practise every PTE question type

  • ✓Full question bank for every type
  • ✓Instant scoring, marked the way Pearson does
  • ✓BandLadder AI scoring for speaking and writing
Practise in the app

Free account · no card

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Log in to practise all 4