SPEAKING TEST

Tips on how to describe pictures

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS

1
Scan the picture and identify the
topic: Sometimes there is a title or
sentence that helps you

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
EXAMPLE:
In this worksheet there
are two pictures.
They both show different
ways of shopping.

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS

2
Talk briefly about each of the
pictures on the worksheet:
Locate them within the worksheet. Say
which picture you are going to talk about.
Dont point at the picture!

SPEAKING TEST
TIPSTOP
AT THE

ON THE LEFT

IN THE CENTRE

AT THE BOTTOM

ON THE RIGH

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
EXAMPLE:
The picture at the top of
the worksheet shows ....
The picture at the
bottom shows ....

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS

2.1
Talk briefly about each of the
pictures on the worksheet:
Describe, compare or contrast the pictures

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
EXAMPLE:
The picture at the top of
the worksheet shows a
small clothes shop.
The picture at the
bottom shows a modern
shopping centre.

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS

2.2
To describe, compare or
contrast the pictures, use
LINKING WORDS.

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Useful expressions to describe
pictures:
The picture shows ...
We can see ...
There is / are ...
It seems ...
It looks like ...

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Useful expressions to compare
pictures:
similar to
the same as
like
in the same way

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Useful expressions to contrast
pictures:
whereas
instead of
on the other hand
unlike

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
EXAMPLE:

In this worksheet there are

two pictures. They both
show different ways of
going shopping. The picture
at the top of the worksheet
shows a small clothes shop.
ON THE OTHER HAND, the
picture at the bottom
shows a modern shopping
centre.

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS

3
Talk about the topic.
Use linking words to connect your ideas

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS

4
Develop you ideas.
Use linking words to develop and connect
your ideas

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Useful expressions: ADDING
and
also
as well as
moreover
too
furthermore

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Useful expressions:
ILLUSTRATING
for example
such as
for instance
in the case of

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TIPS
Useful expressions:
EMPHASISING
above all
especially
in particular

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Other useful expressions
but

however

although

unless

except

apart from

because

so

therefore

thats why

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS

5
Give your opinion on the topic /
picture

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Useful expressions
In my opinion
From my point of view
As I see it,
Taking ... into account,
If you ask me ...

SPEAKING TEST
TIPS
Scan the picture and identify the
topic.
Talk briefly about each of the
pictures on the worksheet.
Talk about the topic.
Develop you ideas.
Give your opinion on the topic /
picture.

SPEAKING TEST: YOUR TURN