DESCRIBING AND CONTRASTING PICTURES. B1 ORAL EXAM. SPEAKING

 It's time to focus on our oral exam: DESCRIBING AND COMPARING PICTURES, essential for B1 and B2 levels:

The exam should last about 2-3 minutes. 

STEP BY STEP:

SPEAKING. B1. DESCRIBING AND CONTRASTING PICTURES. STEP BY STEP GUIDE. JUANA MORAL'S ENGLISH SITE

A . When you face the picture, take some time to BRAINSTORM:

        - Possible topics to talk about (for example: if you look at these pictures, you can think about: fast food, junk food, children, healthy diet, sport, vegetarians, good habits, obesity) . If you think about some topics and even make a mindmap, it can help you talk about it. 

        - Vocabulary and Grammar: 

                -You can also consider some words to use, for example, in the previous pictures you can use: diet, types of food, mediterranean diet, carbohydrates, keeping fit (and how) or your habits. If you like, write them to bear them in mind. But remember, you can't be reading at all!!

        -Linking words and grammar tips: 

            -Comparisons: comparatives, superlatives... 

            -Expressions to show similarity and contrast. See also. Expressing similarity.

            -Modal verbs and expressions of uncertainty: you are guessing, so use expressions like:

• It might/may be....
• Perhaps, maybe, probably....  
• HE/she looks/seems
• I guess/think...
• One can consider..../figure out that....                      

            -Linking words: 

                           - In contrast, Whereas, On the one hand/on the other hand; However, In spite of, 

                            - Consequence linkers: So, therefore, for this reason...

                            -Opinion linkers: In my opinion, for me, from my personal point of view

            -Reference words: AS you can see in the first/second picture. Considering that/seeing all that... As I explained before/ As I previously said....  Revise linking words and expressions before doing your exam. 

            - Grammar focus: verbal tenses. Remember that you can use examples and your own experiences to justify your explanations, therefore, you can use simple past, present perfect.... If you feel like, you can also use conditionals or passive 

B. Start your presentation following an order: 

    1. Give a general overview, that is, what are the pictures about in general? (Sports, fashion, environment....) For example, in the pictures above, we can say: THe following pictures show two different views on food. In the first one, we can see find fast food, and in the second, we can see some dishes with healthy food. 

• Both photos are related to.... However, in the first...... whereas in the second....
• In these photos, we can see  different ways of.... If we focus on the first, ...... whereas, if wee pay attention to the second, the most striking thing is....      

   2. Describe one picture in general (don't worry if you don't know all the words, you can be general). 

    3. Describe the other picture and compare both of them. Include linkers, as I previously recommended. 

    4. Say which picture you prefer and why, relate them to your experiences or give a general conclusion. 

PRO TIPS.  EXPRESSIONS: 

• Some people may argue that...
• The first thing that caught my eye
• The most striking/shoking element for me is....

RELATED LINKS

- CRISTINA CABAL'S BLOG: DESCRIBING PICTURES

-Linking words and emphasis