TRUCS & ASTUCESImages

  • 2 photographs
  • Compare them and answer 1 question
  • About 1 minute on your own
  • About 30 seconds on your partner's

You get a set of photographs with a task printed above them. You talk on your own for about a minute, comparing the photos and answering the task. Then your partner has a turn, and you answer a short question about their photos.

The key word is compare. Describing each photo in turn misses the point: the examiner wants to hear how the photos are alike and different, and what you think about the question.

Compare, don't describe

Spend very little time saying what's in each photo. Go straight to the comparison: 'Both photos show people studying, but in the first she's on her own, while in the second...'. Words like whereas, while and both do the work.

Answer the question

The task above the photos always asks you something: why people are doing this, how they might feel, what the advantages are. Many candidates forget it. Give a good part of your minute to answering it directly.

Speculate with variety

You can't know what's really happening, so speculate: they might be, she must be, it looks as if. Use a range of these instead of repeating maybe in every sentence.

Give your minute a shape

A simple plan works well: a quick opening on what the photos share, the main comparison, your answer to the question, and a short final thought: 'So, on balance, I think the people in the second photo are having more fun.'

Your partner's turn

While your partner speaks, listen. Afterwards you answer a short question about their photos for about 30 seconds: give a clear opinion and a reason. It's short, so don't start a new comparison.

Strategy

  1. 1Read the task above the photos and keep it in mind throughout.
  2. 2Pick your photos quickly if you have a choice, going for the clearest contrast.
  3. 3Open with one sentence about what the photos have in common.
  4. 4Compare the main differences, with whereas, while or on the other hand.
  5. 5Answer what the task asks, speculating with might, could and must.
  6. 6Round off with a short conclusion before the minute ends.
  7. 7Listen to your partner, then give a brief opinion with a reason about their photos.

Expressions utiles

Comparing

  • Both photos show ...
  • In the first photo ..., whereas in the second ...
  • One big difference is that ...
  • Unlike the people in the first picture, ...
  • What the two photos have in common is ...

Speculating

  • They might / could be ...
  • She must be ..., because ...
  • It looks as if ...
  • I'd imagine that ...
  • They can't be ..., because ...

Answering the question

  • I think the people in ... are probably ..., because ...
  • The main advantage of ... is that ...
  • They may have chosen ... because ...
  • Overall, I'd say ...

Answering about your partner's photos

  • For me, it would definitely be ...
  • I'd prefer ..., mainly because ...
  • It's hard to choose, but ...
  • Personally, I'd go for ...
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