- give a brief description of the two photos (action, location)
- say what the pictures have in common
- say what in what way the pictures are different
- say which of the activities presented in the pictures you'd prefer
- explain why
- answer a follow-up question from another student.
Students comparison might follow a clear order: introduction + similarities, differences, question.
Useful Phrases for the Follow-up Question
- As far as I’m concerned,…
- The way I see it,…
- If I had to choose one of these two (…), I would (definitely) go for…
- In my experience,…
- In my case,…
- Well, it’s not an easy choice, but I think I’d prefer to…
- I would (…) no doubt.
- I would definitely prefer/choose…
- I believe that it’s more important to…
Useful Phrases to Compare Pictures
Here we are some useful expressions we can use in any comparison. However, as a basic tip, in order to compare, most of the connectors you’ll have to use are contrasting connectors.
- Starting your comparison
- Both of these pictures show…
- These two pictures show…
- The two situations in these pictures are…
- Talking about similarities
- These two pictures/situations are similar because/in that…
- In both pictures we can see…
- One similarity between these two pictures/situations is that…
- Another similarity might be that…
- One thing that these two pictures/situations have in common is that…
- One thing that these two pictures share is that…
- The most obvious similarity is that…
- These two pictures share the fact that…
- Both pictures (…) in the same way.
- Talking about differences
- One of the most obvious differences (between these two pictures) is that…
- Another difference is that…
- Something that makes these two pictures different is…
- What makes these two situations (so/completely) different is…
- While the first picture …, the second one…
- The first picture…. However, the second one…
- The first picture… whereas the second one…
- Although the first picture…., the second one…
- On the one hand, the first picture shows… . On the other hand, the second one…
- Introducing the answer to the question
- As for + paraphrased question
- As to + paraphrased question
- In relation to the question,…
- In response to the question, I’d say that…
- As regards the question,…
- Regarding the question of the task,
- With regard to + paraphrased question
Speaking test tips
- Compare (rather than describe)
- Don’t overuse «and»: «And» is a connector to add ideas, not to express contrast.
- Don’t focus too much on one picture
- Don't answer only "yes" or "no".
- Address the interlocutor.
- Finish your sentences:Do not let your speech fade out in the middle of a sentence; finish expressing your ideas!
- Do not keep silent.
- Stick to the topic.
- Ask for repetition if necessary.
- Use related vocabulary. So make sure you draw on what you have studied and drop some advanced terms that might impress the examiners.
- Smile.
