Contrasting pictures-speaking test

Instructions: Study the two photographs. Be ready to compare and contrast the two photographs ( 1.5 to 2 minutes):

• 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

1. Compare (rather than describe)
2. Don’t overuse «and»:  «And» is a connector to add ideas, not to express contrast.
3. Don’t focus too much on one picture
4. Don't answer only "yes" or "no". 
5. Address the interlocutor.
6. Finish your sentences:Do not let your speech fade out in the middle of a sentence; finish expressing your ideas!
7. Do not keep silent.
8. Stick to the topic.
9. Ask for repetition if necessary.
10. Use related vocabulary. So make sure you draw on what you have studied and drop some advanced terms that might impress the examiners.
11. Smile. 

Source: kseacademy.com/cambridge/b2-first-fce/speaking/part-2/