PTE · Describe Image

Historical and Contemporary Calligraphy: 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

Illumination Pigment Composition

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

Pigment Composition in Medieval Scriptoria (%). Carbon black 40, Iron gall 30, Vermilion red 15, Verdigris green 10, Lapis lazuli 5.

Pigment Composition in Medieval Scriptoria (%)
  • Carbon black: 40%
  • Iron gall: 30%
  • Vermilion red: 15%
  • Verdigris green: 10%
  • Lapis lazuli: 5%
View the data
CategoryValue (%)
Carbon black40
Iron gall30
Vermilion red15
Verdigris green10
Lapis lazuli5

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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.

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2

Reed Pen Fabrication Process

Traditional Reed Pen Preparation. Stage 1: Harvest mature marsh reeds. Stage 2: Season stems under dark sand. Stage 3: Cut angled leading bevel. Stage 4: Split central slit for ink reservoir. Stage 5: Trim nib tip to desired width.

Traditional Reed Pen Preparation
  1. 1.Harvest mature marsh reeds
  2. 2.Season stems under dark sand
  3. 3.Cut angled leading bevel
  4. 4.Split central slit for ink reservoir
  5. 5.Trim nib tip to desired width
3

Scriptoria Tool Specifications

Writing Implement Characteristics. Columns: Implement, Substrate Suitability, Drying Time, Line Variation. Quill Feather, Parchment, 30 seconds, High. Reed Calamus, Papyrus, 15 seconds, Moderate. Steel Dip Nib, Vellum, 45 seconds, Very High. Hair Brush, Mulberry Paper, 10 seconds, Extreme.

Writing Implement Characteristics
ImplementSubstrate SuitabilityDrying TimeLine Variation
Quill FeatherParchment30 secondsHigh
Reed CalamusPapyrus15 secondsModerate
Steel Dip NibVellum45 secondsVery High
Hair BrushMulberry Paper10 secondsExtreme
4

Manuscript Restoration Workshop Layout

Manuscript Conservation Laboratory, north at the top. Deacidification Chamber in the north-west, Microscopy Bench in the north, Pigment Storage in the north-east, Humidification Tank in the south-west, Central Inking Table in the south, Binding Press in the south-east.

Manuscript Conservation Laboratory
DeacidificationChamberMicroscopyBenchPigmentStorageHumidificationTankCentral InkingTableBindingPressN

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