Tips on how to describe a set of pictures when you are facing a speaking test

1. SPEAKING TEST
Tips on how to describe pictures

2. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
1
Scan the picture and identify the topic:
Sometimes there is a title or sentence that helps you

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

4. 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.
Don’t point at the picture!

5. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
AT THE TOP
ON THE LEFT IN THE CENTRE ON THE RIGHT
AT THE BOTTOM

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

7. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
2.1
Talk briefly about each of the pictures on
the worksheet:
Describe, compare or contrast the pictures

8. 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.

9. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
2.2
To describe, compare or contrast the
pictures, use LINKING WORDS.

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

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

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

13. 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.

14. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
3
Talk about the topic.
Use linking words to connect your ideas

15. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
4
Develop you ideas.
Use linking words to develop and connect your ideas

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

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

18. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
Useful expressions: EMPHASISING
above all
especially
in particular

19. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
Other useful expressions
but however
although unless
except apart from
because so
therefore that’s why

20. SPEAKING TEST TIPS
5
Give your opinion on the topic / picture

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

22. 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.

23. SPEAKING TEST: YOUR TURN