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A Focus: Speculating on a picture

ln the test
(- Sample test pp18-19
e- tJnit2 p47
Speaking Test Question 3
o ln this part of the test, you will be given a picture to describe in as much detail as you can.
r ln Unit 2, you practiced how to describe the scene and the people, and how to plan and
o19anlze your response.
o This unit will focus on how to speculate and talk about details in the picture that you are
unsure about and how to organize your reply.

1 Language building: Language for speculation and uncertainty

2.

**tip ';!t:
..mm useful
mrises to indicate
tnat you are
uo.rlating A Match sentences 1-5 to the pictures 1-4 they are describing.
' ': - :-:.'t 100% sure
' ' - .'.,kator where, 1. He appears to be writing a report.
-*'- :re phrases in
rmr{:
-j,=
::
:escribe what
2. They look like they are leaning against a car.
" . -- -( s shown in
3. I think the woman is the girl's mother.
-,- : r::-'e. This will
;r,t ,r: - -Ofe tO Say 4. He looks like a dentist or a doctor maybe.
r't , -ake your 5. lt seems like they are having a good time.
1*:,'-;: l^ mofe
:
=:--
J_ 6. She seems to be pointing at something.

Unit 8 | Speaking Test Question 3 93

 Take turns making two more sentences for each picture 1-4. Ask your partner
Talk about things
to guess which picture you are describing. Use the phrases and ihe words in
that are possible the box to help you.
(in the present/ He/This looks Iike/as if ...
past / future) I think this is ...
Expand your It/They seem(s) to be ...
descrrption to talk
about things that may
He/She appears to be ...
be about to happen
or have already doctoi'5,office game
happened, or things friends:' lost cook
that are probably true,
but aren't visible in
the picture. Match sentences 1-5 to the pictures 1-4 on page 93 they speculate about.
Underline the probability words.
1. He could be a scientist.
2. lt's probably a birthday party - they look like they're playing a game.
3. They may be lost, so they're looking at a map.
4. Perhaps they've made some homemade soup.
5. They might be playing a children's game.

Note: The adverbs probably, perhaps, and maybe often come at the beginning of the sentence.

Match the sentence beginnings 1-6 to the correct ending a-f to describe
picture 1 on page 93.
1. This man is ... a. be lost.
2. They may have been ... b. stopped for a break.
3. Perhaps they are driving ... c. across the U.S.A. for a
vacation.
4. They might be trying ... d. probably the father.
5. Maybe they have ... e. driving a long way.
6. They could ... f. to find a motel.

E Take turns making more sentences about pictures 2-4.

94 Unit 8 | Speaking Test Question 3

ilest tip=iiiiitffi F Complete sentences 1-5 using the words a-e to indicate that the information is
an estimation or guess. More than one answer may be possible.
t}se language that
rs more general 1.
rrhen you aren't
The man looks ---:-:,--* 40 years old.
cxactly sure 2. There are*'-_*-_-**_ eight to ten kids in the picture.
f _roi ar€fl't sure Of 3. Maybe it is _____*_*_ stew.
:l- -3s like numbers,
ales or other exact 4. I think they are playing a game,
:ra,!s use words and
:r'ases to show this.
5. He looks - confused.

a. around
b. about
c. a little
Try to say as much d. some kind of
i5 you can about e. or something
the picture
r :'der to score well, Take turns making two more sentences about each picture'l-4 on page 93
r': - must demonstrate using the phrases in F.
:: 'rlly as possible
,,r-it loU can say. Try
:i: ;ive as complete an
H Take turns speculating as much as possible about picture 5.
i-s.ver as possible and
:ceak for the full 45
:*:cnds.

{\ foilow up: Listen to the sample answer.

Unit 8 | Speaking Test Question 3 95

 2 Test tactic: Providing a complete answer including visible
features and speculation

Speculate about
the scene
Give extra information
- about the scene and
what is happening. For pictures .1-4, begin by making two sentences for each picture about what
has happened. or wrll
you can see. (See Unit 2, p50 for help.)
possibly happen in
the picture to add
Look at the main characters in pictures 'l-4. Choose one person and think of
further detail to your
description.
possible answers to these questions.
. How old is he/she? (e.9. in her thirties, around fifty.)
. What is his/her job? (e.9. He looks like a banker.)
Speculate about o What does he/she do in his/her free time? (e.9. She probably does a lot of sporLl
the characters o What is his/her emotional state? (e.9. They look happy.)
When you have o What is his/her relationship to the other people? (e.9. motheL boss, coworker.)
described what you
can see in as much
Take turns making sentences to speculate about the character you chose. Give
detail as possible,
reasons for your ideas. For example, 5he3 probably an athlete because she looks
begin to speculate
about the characters. fit.l I think he's just seen a friend because it looks like he's smiling at someone.
lf there is not a main
character, focus on D Look at the background and scene in pictures 1-4. Choose one picture and think
the group, of possible answers to these questions.
. Where are they? (e.9. /t looks like they're in a conference room.)
o What season/time of year/day is it? (e.9. lt could be summer.)
o Has something just happened or is something going to happen?

95 Unit 8 | Speaking Test Question 3

 a What adjective would describe this place? (e.9. fancy, dirtSl, fashionable)
a lf the picture shows an outdoor scene, what is the weather like? H6s it changed/
will it change? (e.9. lt's rather cloudy, so it may rain later.)

Take turns making sentences to speculate about the background. Give reasons for
your ideas. For example, lt's probably winter because the people are wearing
heavy coats. I think it has been raining, because the road is wet.

&^& Follow up: Listen to the sample answer. Which picture is being described?

S Tactic practice
l': ^storm
: -aoulary and Describe each of the pictures 1-4 following the steps in the Test technique.
: ,- ntroductory After each step compare your answers with your partner.
" : ^:enCes
-- seconds)

.--='yOUr
-:-: iuction,
.,:' be what you
:- S3e USlng
: =:ttveS,
: .:'bs, and
..: csitions.

:"rd your
-
with
, ,'. ers
:
=:- ation on the
- ,':Ctef and
:n-:
.. -rcertain and
-:-- dLlVe
-!:..^

-; -age when
- ='en't 100%
:
, .r nuch aS
, :.r in the
"-= , CWed-

*'i Using natural English

ln natural spoken English, sounds are sometimes changed, combined, or dropped. Listen to a
native speaker saying the following sentences and write in the words they say.

She pointing at something.

He-writingareport.
She - giving a presentatlon.
---- answers in the Key on page 23.
Check your
Listen again and practice these sentences with the correct sound and rhythm.

Unit 8 | Speaking Test Question 3 97

 C Mini-test
Now apply the Test tactics to draft an outline for the following question.
Use the recommended test time for Question 3.

Question 3:
Describe a picture

M Question 3: Describe a picture

Directions: ln this part of the test, you will describe the picture on your screen in
as much detail as you can. You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response.

Then you will have 45 seconds to speak about the picture.

00:00:00

Unit 8 | Speaking Test Question 3