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Bob Wilson's

Oral Exam Preparation

Key Phrases

Ideal practice for First Certificate

at autoenglish.org

 
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Part 1
Part 2
Describing a picture
Key phrases
Example descriptions
Gallery 1 and games
Gallery 2
Parts 3 & 4
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In Part Two of the First Certificate exam you have to describe two photographs for one minute. I suggest dividing the task into the following sections:-
  DURATIONS
Describing the first photo 10 seconds
Describing the second photo 10 seconds
Comparing the photos 10 seconds
Contrasting the photos 10 seconds
Speculating or using your imagination 10 seconds
Your personal feelings and opinions 10 seconds
Instructions: click on to listen and repeat
Describing the photographs The first photograph shows a woman reading a book
  In the background we can see a family sitting around a table outside a café
Comparing the photographs Both pictures are about being a parent
  I think the common theme here is communication
Contrasting In contrast, the people in the second image look worried
  On the other hand, the scene looks much more modern
  Unlike the first photo, this looks like a happy occasion
Speculating Perhaps they are celebrating something
  Maybe the reason they look so serious is because ...
  She might be a busy working mother
Personal feelings I wouldn't like to be in their shoes
  The first photo reminds me of my own childhood
  Personally, I'd love to visit a place like that
The following phrases are for helping you while you speak.
Rephrasing What I really mean is that ...
  I take that back
  What I am trying to say is that ...
Hesitators (gaining time) Well, ...
  Hmmm... let me see

 

Print out a check list of the expressions.