PICTURE DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
I.'Position' language
in the foreground - az előtérben (There is a woman walking in the foreground.)
in the background - a háttérben (In the background we can see some parked cars.)
in the distance - a távolban
in the middle - középen (The boy in the middle is a tuba player.)
in the centre - a középpontban
in the top left-hand corner - a bal felső sarokban
in the top right-hand corner - a jobb felső sarokban
in the bottom right-hand corner - a jobb alsó sarokban
in the bottom left-hand corner - a bal alsó sarokban
at the top of the picture - a kép felső részén
at the bottom of the picture - a kép alsó részén
on the right-hand side of the picture - a kép jobb oldalán
on the left-hand side of the picture - a kép bal oldalán
II. Prepositions of place
above (over: ha mozgásban van) the stove, above the fire place - felett
at a garage, at the cinema, at work, at home, at school, at the railway station
behind the man
beside the bookcase, beside the tracks – nál/nél
next to the bookcase, next to the bench, next to the tent- mellett
between the fridge and the cooker
by the wall
in the room / park / garden / water / his hands (the older girl in a blue skirt), in a department store
inside/outside the building
in front of the car, in front of the building
on the table, on the wall, on the shelf, on the floor/ground/tarmac/grass/fence
on top of the bookcase
opposite the door
III. Useful expressions
I am holding a colour / black and white picture / photograph / painting / drawing in my hand.
This photo shows a family. / This is a photo of a family./ In this picture I can see a family.
I think this photo was taken in England. /This photo must have been taken in England because ....
She seems happy to me because she's smiling in the picture.
It seems to me that she is happy. / She seems to be happy. /She looks happy
He looks healthy / ill / pale /puzzled / a bit confused/ sad / tired / angry /happy / satisfied.
That pie looks good. This room looks cosy.
It looks like salt.
I'm not quite sure / certain, but I think this is a school.
I'm absolutely sure/ certain that it is an English bus.
I have /There’s no doubt that....
There can't be any doubt that....
IV. Grammar
Tenses:
THE PICTURE
Ami valószínűleg a képen ábrázolt
jelenet előtt történt:
- befejezett jelenidő (Ha van köze
ahhoz, ami most éppen történik: He has
dropped the vase./ He has just arrived)
- egyszerű múlt idő (ha csak elmesélem,
hogy szerintem mi történt az előző nap/
héten)
- might have / may have / must have +
V3 (Ha nem vagyok biztos benne, hogy mi
történhetett azelőtt)
Ami éppen a képen történik:
Ami ezután fog történni:
- folyamatos jelen idő
- might/may/must be + Ving (ha
- egyszerű jövő idő (Ha csak
csak sejtjük, mi történik)
sejtjük, mi fog történni: I think
- befejezett folyamatos jelen: He
she will go home)
has been waiting for the bus for a
long time (Már régóta várja a
- to be going to szerezet (ha biztos
buszt)
jele van annak, hogy vmi történni
- There is a.../There are....
fog: The plane is going to crash)
Other:
look:
+ adjective (She looks sad. / She looks good.)
+ like + noun (It looks like salt.)
+ as if / though she’s reading
seem:
It seems (to me) that + egész mondatrész (alany, állítmány, stb) (It seems to me that they are playing football)
She / He / They seem(s) (to be) + adjective
She / He / They seem(s) to be + Ving (They seem to be playing football)
V. General suggestions
A kép leírásának logikai felépítésében általában a kicsitől a nagy felé, a konkréttól az elvont felé haladjunk:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
milyen kép van a kezemben
mit /kit / kiket ábrázol, azok épp mit csinálnak és mit viselnek (ruházat), hol lehetnek
szerintünk mit csinál(hat)nak, miért, mit érez(het)nek, milyen kapcsolatban állhatnak egymással
mi történ(het)ett a képen ábrázolt esemény előtt
mi fog történni a képen ábrázolt esemény után
szokott-e történni / történt-e már / szerintünk fog-e történni / szeretnénk-e hogy történjen velünk
hasonló dolog
7. emlékeztet-e valamilyen eseményre / valaki(k)re / valamire a kép
8. milyen érzéseket ébreszt bennünk a kép (tetszik-e, miért vagy miért nem), hol készülhetett a kép, ki
készíthette , milyen hangulatban esetleg mi célból (főleg műalkotások esetében)
Természetesen, a fenti lépések közül kihagyhatunk egyet vagy többet is, ahogyan azt tudásunk, a feladatra
szánt időnk vagy vizsgáztatónk megkívánja!
© All rights reserved. :)
This picture reminds me of the time I spent with my grandmother
This picture reminds me of the summers when I went out with my brother to explore the neighbourhood on our roller
skates
I can relate to this situation / picture because ….
I can't relate to this situation, because I don't have a kid yet
I like this picture because I love its vivid colours and its cosy atmosphere
Do:
Don’t:
Look at your picture carefully and take a few moments to think before you start
talking.
Panic if you don’t know the words for all the things in the picture. You don’t need to
know all the words for everything in the picture if you know what to say when you
don't know an exact word.
Talk for all the time you are given. If you have one minute to do the task, use every
second.
Practise the useful language below so you can explain which part of the picture you
are talking about.
Get distracted and start talking about something else. Focus on the photo or picture.
Panic if your mind goes blank. Take a deep breath, look at the picture and start again.
If you are asked to describe a photo or a picture in the exam, here is some language you can use:
What is in the picture?
In the picture I can see ...
There’s / There are ...
There isn’t a ... / There aren’t any ...
Say what is happening with the present continuous
The man is ...ing
The people are ...ing
It’s raining.
Where in the picture?
At the top/bottom of the picture ...
In the middle of the picture ...
On the left/right of the picture ...
next to
in front of
behind
near
on top of
under
If something isn’t clear
It looks like a ...
It might be a ...
He could be ...ing
Maybe it’s a ...
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/speaking-exams/describe-photo-or-picture
SOME USEFUL GUIDELINES AND
TECHNIQUES FOR DESCRIBING PICTURES
www.cristinacabal.com
https://create.piktochart.com/output/5159053-untitled-infographic
In one of the parts of the intermediate (B1) and advanced (B2) exam , you'll be
asked to talk about some pictures. You will be shown two theme-related pictures (eg
types of houses) and you'll be asked to describe and compare them and to talk about
them in relation to yourself for a short time. It's important to bear in mind that you
are not supposed to give a very detailed description of the pictures but to compare ,
contrast and give opinion.You are going to be marked on pronunciation, grammar,
vocabulary, fluency, coherence.
GUIDELINES
DESCRIBE-COMPARE-GIVE OPINION
DOs
Look carefully at the photo.
Think carefully how to start.
In some exams you are given some time to think about what you are going to say.
Use that time!
Scan the picture and identify the topic.
It is better to start with a general statement. For example, They are clearly both connected to the topic of science…
but in two quite different contexts
Use present continuous to describe what is happening
Remember the pictures are just an excuse to talk about the topic ,so don't give a very detailed description, select the
relevant details
Sometimes there is a question or a statement to help you identify the topic.
Sometimes, you can find a wordcloud with some ideas (ex nightlife, pollution, facilitites) to help you talk.
When comparing the pictures, talk about the similarities and differences between them. For example: Both pictures
show… but this one…, whereas the other one…
Use a wide range of vocabulary.
Remember this is a picture so you cannot be 100% sure what is happening.
Use appropriate language to show you are guessing .
Speculate about the pictures .
You are not asked simply to describe what is happening. For example: He is likely to / she’ll probably find it quite
tough
Give your opinion, using a variety of structures.
If the photographs surprise you, show surprise -your voice should reflect your feelings and attitude.
Don't forget to develop your ideas
Don't forget to use Linking Words to connect your ideas.
Use all the time you're given. If you're given three minutes, you'll need to talk the three minutes.
Practise!
DONTS
Don't worry if you don't understand immediately what is going on in the picture.
Remember you are allowed some time to organise your ideas . Use it!
Don't worry if you don't know the precise word for what you can see; paraphrase
Don't talk about something that is not relevant to the pictures
Don't use the present simple to describe what is happening
Don't give enumerations
Don't use "I think.." all the time.
Don't give complicated explanations if you are not sure.
Don't stop talking until the examiner indicates the exam has finished
"Position" Language
SPECULATING
I think / I guess/ I suppose it is...
I expect/ I imagine it is...
It/he must be....
It /he can't be../ I am not sure but, they could be...
It's not very clear but, probably...
I can't make it out but, perhaps / Maybe, perhaps they are...
They seem to be eating something / It can/could/might (not) be ....
Probably / Perhaps
PARAPHRASING
* It is used to write....
* It is something you do when...
* It's a person who...
* It' something which
* It's a kind of/some kind of..
* It's a sort of/some sort of ...
* It's like a ...
CONTRAST USING..
In both pictures... Both pictures depict .. In this one .. and in the other one... Both of the
photos show.. Neither of them .... Similar to... The same as Like... In the same way....
Whereas While On the one hand... on the other hand Instead of Unlike.....
----------------------------------
ILLUSTRATE USING...
For example... For instance... such as...
COMPARE
The main difference between the photos is... In the first picture...whereas the other
picture... Unlike.... this looks like... In contrast...
----------------------------------
TALKING ABOUT PREFERENCES AND GIVING OPINION
I think I'd prefer... as... If I had to choose I would... It's very hard to say but ....
As far as I know… Speaking for myself… In my opinion… Personally, I think… I'd say
that… In my experience… I'd like to point out that… I believe that… What I mean is… My
personal view is that …. I might be wrong but … It seems to me that….