Surviving Picture Description in
Speaking Exams
In many English-speaking exams, including the Maturita and Cambridge exams, students are asked to
describe and compare pictures. This task may seem simple, but it can be challenging if students are
not prepared. Picture description tasks test your ability to observe, use appropriate vocabulary,
compare ideas, and speak continuously. Fortunately, with the right approach and useful language, you
can do well — even if you do not know all the words.
1. Understand the Purpose of the Task
The goal is not to describe every detail perfectly. Instead, the examiner wants to hear how you use
language to express ideas, make comparisons, and organize your speech. This means you should focus
on structure, fluency, and relevant vocabulary. It is better to speak simply and clearly than to stay
silent or search for difficult words.
2. Start with a General Description
Begin by saying what both pictures have in common. Use a general statement. For example:
“Both pictures show people doing an activity.”
“These pictures are about free time.”
“They both take place outdoors.”
This opening gives you time to start calmly and shows the examiner that you can identify the topic.
3. Describe One Picture at a Time
After your introduction, describe the first picture. Focus on key details such as:
– Where the people are
– What they are doing
– What the weather is like
– What kind of clothes they are wearing
– The time of day or setting
Use basic structures like:
“In the first picture, I can see…”
“There is a group of people who are…”
“It looks like they are…”
“They might be in a park or a garden.”
After the first picture, move on to the second using similar language.
4. Use Language to Compare and Contrast
Comparing the pictures is an important part of the task. Use clear comparing phrases:
“While the first picture shows…, the second one shows…”
“In contrast to the first picture, the second one…”
“Both pictures have…, but only the first one has…”
“Unlike the second picture, the first one…”
If you forget a word, try to explain it with simple English. For example, if you do not remember the
word “umbrella,” you can say “something you use when it rains.”
5. Speculate Carefully
Sometimes the task asks you to talk about how the people might feel or what could be happening. You
can show more advanced language by using speculation:
James
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“They might be enjoying their holiday.”
“It seems like they are relaxing after work.”
“Maybe they are students working on a project.”
Use phrases like “might,” “maybe,” “it looks like,” or “it seems like” to make guesses without
sounding too direct.
6. Keep Talking – Use Fillers and Sentence Starters
It is normal to need time to think. You can use filler phrases to help continue speaking:
“Let me think for a moment.”
“How can I say this…”
“What I mean is…”
You can also use sentence starters to guide your answer:
“I’d say that…”
“One difference is that…”
“Another thing I noticed is…”
Practising these will help you avoid long pauses and sound more fluent.
7. Structure Your Answer Clearly
A good structure helps the examiner follow your ideas. Try to keep this order:
1. Introduction (what the pictures are about)
2. First picture (description)
3. Second picture (description)
4. Comparison (similarities and differences)
5. Speculation or opinion
6. Summary or final thought
Even if you don’t follow this order exactly, having a clear plan helps you speak longer and more
confidently.
8. Practise with Different Pictures
Before your exam, practise with a variety of pictures. Choose topics like school, work, family,
holidays, food, weather, or daily activities. Practise talking about what you see, what is happening,
and how the pictures are similar or different.
The more you practise, the more natural it becomes. You don’t need perfect vocabulary. You need
confidence, structure, and useful phrases. That is what the examiner is listening for.
Warm-up Discussion
1. Have you ever had to describe a picture in English? What did you say?
2. What is difficult about describing pictures in a speaking test?
3. What helps you speak longer or with more confidence?
4. Do you usually describe what you see first or how people feel? Why?
5. How can practising picture descriptions help in other parts of an English exam?
James
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Vocabulary – Match the Words to the Definitions
1. speculate
2. structure
3. filler phrase
4. setting
5. contrast
6. compare
7. examiner
A. to think or guess about what is happening
B. to find how things are similar
C. short expression that gives you time to think
D. the place or background of a picture
E. the person who gives and checks your test
F. the organization of your answer
G. to show how things are different
Vocabulary – Gap Fill
Use the words from the previous exercise to complete the sentences.
1. When you don’t know what to say, a ______ ______ can help.
2. You should always try to ______ your answer so it is easy to follow.
3. The ______ will listen to your ideas and score your speaking.
4. This picture shows a beach — the ______ looks calm and warm.
5. If you ______ the two pictures, you will see many similarities.
6. Try to ______ what the people might be doing or feeling.
7. You should also ______ the differences between the images.
True or False
Write T (true) or F (false) next to each sentence.
1. You must describe every small object in the pictures.
2. Using simple language clearly is better than using no language at all.
3. You should describe both pictures and make comparisons.
4. “They might be working on a project” is an example of a filler phrase.
5. It’s a good idea to practise picture descriptions before the exam.
James
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Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer.
1. What should you do if you forget a word?
a) Stop speaking immediately
b) Try to explain the word in another way
c) Skip the picture
d) Say nothing
2. What is one goal of the picture description task?
a) Say as many difficult words as possible
b) Memorize a speech
c) Show that you can express and compare ideas
d) Describe only what you like
Short Answer Questions
1. What is the first thing you should say in a picture description?
2. Why is it helpful to use sentence starters?
3. How can you compare two pictures in a speaking exam?
4. Why is it okay to use simple vocabulary?
5. How can filler phrases improve your fluency?
James
[Link]
