1. Describing pictures NB2
SPEAKING
Describing pictures
NB2

2. GENERAL TOPIC All these photographs show …
This set of pictures shows …
Here we have X pictures, all related to …
The main topic here is …
The pictures are about …
In these pictures I can see …

3. DESCRIBING WHERE THINGS ARE
In the foreground / in the background.
On the left / right.
In the middle.
At the top / bottom.
In the distance.
In this photograph / these photos here (pointing)
In the first / second, etc. picture.
In the [top/bottom] + [left/right] picture.

4. COMPARING Both pictures show… This one is (much +) comparative than
(this car is much bigger than that one)
A little (bit) + comparative than …
(He is a bit taller than the other man)
It is(n’t) as + adj + as …
(she isn’t as tall as the other woman)
It is similar to / different from / the same as …
I prefer this (one)…. because…

5. DESCRIBING PEOPLE
Use the present continuous to describe people’s actions. (he is doing… she is writing…)
He’s about X / in his Xs (age).
(he is about 40 / He is in his 40s [forties])
He’s very / quite / really / extremely + adj.
You can tell (that) he is …
She looks / seems + adj. (she looks bored)
She looks like + noun.(he looks like an actor)
He might / could be + ing / noun.
(he could be sleeping / he could be a doctor)

6. FACTS AND OPINIONS Everybody knows that … Many people believe that …
I find it (a bit) + adj.
I (don’t) like …… very much
In my opinion, …
I believe/think that …
It seems to me that …
I (don’t) think…

7. SOME ADVICE
Talk in sentences. Don’t produce a list of items, like a robot.
Organise your description. Don’t describe the same thing more than once.
Start with a general idea before giving
details.
Give some personal opinion to the picture.

8. MEANS OF
TRANSPORT