Speaking task 3 and 4 of the CELPIP exam can feel overwhelming because you are given a random image that you need to describe, and then make predictions about.
Let’s look at some simple and practical strategies you can use to make these speaking tasks simple!
Master Speaking Task 3
Brainstorming: 30 Seconds
You’ll only get 30 seconds to prepare before you need to actually give your answer. Use your time wisely!
Let’s pretend that the image below is the one you’re being shown. Where is this picture taking place? If you want, you can write this information down on your notepaper.
Here’s what I would say about where this picture is taking place: It’s a beautiful picture of Stanley Park in the Fall. (I just imagined that it was Stanley Park in Vancouver.)
Next: Divide and Conquer
Don’t worry about describing everything. (We’ll talk more about that later.) Instead, imagine that the picture is divided into four quadrants, like in the picture below:
By dividing the picture into quadrants (in your imagination – on the test you won’t be able to do this!) you’ll help yourself focus on a specific area to talk about.
Look for an area that draws your attention, or that you feel you have more vocabulary to work with.
Decide what you’re looking at and where in the picture you’d like to begin talking about. That’s likely all the time you’ll have before the recorded section of the test begins.
When the 30 seconds of prep time are finished, the test will automatically move you to the speaking portion of this task. You’ll have 60 seconds to talk about this image. Keep reading for a simple strategy to help you effectively fill up those important 60 seconds!
1. Set the Scene
Pretend you’re talking to your best friend on the phone, and tell him/her what you’re looking at. “Hi John, I’m looking at a beautiful picture of Stanley Park in the fall.”
Let the audience know what you’re looking at, that’s what ‘setting the scene’ means.
2. Focus On Your Area Of Interest.
Remember: you’re not going to try and talk about the entire picture. You’re going to help yourself remain focused by talking about a specific area of the picture at a time. For an example, lets talk about the lower left hand side of the picture above – the area that has two women walking – one towards us, and one away from us.
To signal where you’re looking in this example, you could say: “In the lower left hand corner of the picture, I see two women in their late twenties.”
3. Use the Power of Details!
I could have said, “In the lower left hand corner of the picture I see two women.” You would have known what I’m talking about, but by adding details you make your answer more interesting. Bonus: you also will increase your score on the CELPIP by adding relevant details! So make sure you do it!
Here are some great detail ideas:
- Talk about age. How old you think the people are. (If the photo has people.)
- Talk about feelings. If the picture shows a person’s face, try to describe how you think they feel. Happy? Sad? Worried? Excited? In our example picture, we don’t have clear facial expressions, so you can imagine a logical choice.
- Talk about clothing. You can and should talk about specific items of clothing that you see the people wearing.
- Talk about colour! Don’t just say that the woman is wearing a pair of jeans. Spice it up with colour! The woman with long blond hair is wearing blue jeans.
- Talk about specific locations inside the photo. Where is the woman with long blond hair in relation to the other people in the picture? How about on the pathway that they are walking on? (She’s in the middle!)
Pull it all together.
Hello John, I’m looking at a beautiful picture of Stanley Park in the fall. It’s a lovely sunny afternoon shot, and there are lots of people out for a walk and enjoying the sun!
In the lower left hand part of the picture, there are two women in their late twenties walking. The woman on the far left has shoulder length dark hair, and she’s wearing a brown jacket with a white and blue blouse under it. She is wearing a pair of blue jeans and has black sneakers, and is carrying a small handbag in her right hand. She’s smiling happily because she’s on her way home after a busy day at work.
On her left, there is a woman with long blond hair walking in the opposite direction. She has a tiny brown hat, and is wearing a dark jean jacket, with a white shirt underneath it. She’s also wearing blue jeans and has brown shoes. What a beautiful day in the park!”
This block of text should take about 60 seconds to say. I didn’t talk about the entire picture, but I did draw out the details of a section of the photo. Give this a try and see how you do!
Listen to a podcast episode about this: note: this episode does not work with the picture I have above. In the podcast, I used an imaginary photo, but you’ll get the ideas of what I’m sharing.
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