NEED PICTURE DESCRIPTION PRACTICE? 

EXAM TIPS – Picture Description

1. Look Carefully (10–15 seconds)

• Notice people, objects, actions, places, time, mood.

• Think: Who? What? Where? When? How are they feeling?

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2. Start with the General Idea

“This picture shows…”
“In this photo, I can see…”

• Say the main topic first (e.g. “a family having lunch in a garden”).

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3. Describe from General to Specific

• Place: “It looks like a park / a kitchen / an office.”

• People: “There are two men and a woman.”

• Actions: “They’re talking / eating / working.”

• Clothes and appearance: “She’s wearing a blue jacket.”

• Weather or mood: “It seems to be a sunny day.”

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4. Use Prepositions and Position Words

“In the background…”
“In the foreground…”
“On the left / On the right…”

“Next to / behind / in front of…”

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5. Add Personal Ideas (if allowed)

• “They might be friends.”

• “Perhaps they’re celebrating something.”

• “It looks like they’re enjoying themselves.”

(Use might / maybe / perhaps / I think)

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VERY IMPORTANT 

6. Use the Present Continuous

“They’re sitting outside.”
“He’s wearing sunglasses.”
“The children are playing.”

(Pictures show actions happening now.)

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7. Speak Clearly and Naturally

• Don’t pause too long.

• If you forget a word, use another: “The thing you use to…”

• Keep talking for about 1 minute.

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8. Avoid Guessing the Story (if not asked)

Stick to what you can see unless the examiner says: “What do you think is happening?”

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9. Useful Phrases

“It seems that…”
“I can see…”
“There’s / There are…”
“Maybe / perhaps…”
“In the background / foreground…”
“It looks like…”

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10. Practice Timing

• Train to speak 45–60 seconds nonstop.

• Record yourself to check fluency and pronunciation.