The document provides guidance on describing pictures by outlining key elements to mention such as the general idea shown, specific descriptions of locations and appearances, any actions, and speculation about the picture. It offers vocabulary for describing where different elements are located within the picture from the background to foreground as well as actions. Sample sentences are provided to model how to incorporate these details when summarizing a picture.

1. DESCRIBING PICTURES
Vocabulary and structures for
describing pictures
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

2. You need to mention...
1. What the picture shows (general idea)
2. Where everything is and what it looks like (specific description)
3. What is happening (actions)
4. What you think (speculation)
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

3. 1.What the picture shows (general information)
The picture shows…
In the picture there is…
The picture was taken by… / It was taken in… / It was painted by…
It’s a colour / black and white photograph...
It’s an oil / watercolour painting...
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

4. 2. Where everything is
IN THE BACKGROUND
ON THE LEFT IN THE MIDDLE ON THE RIGHT
IN THE FOREGROUND
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

5. There are high
mountains in the
background.
There is a peaceful lake
in the middle of the
picture.
There are three black-
headed sheep in the
foreground.
There is a solitary lamp
post on the left.
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

6. 2. Where everything is
AT THE TOP
B E H I N D
AT THE BOTTOM
IN FRONT OF
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

7. In the foreground there is a white gate.
There are two men behind the gate.
There is a fence in front of the men

8. 3. What’s happening
The sheep are quietly lying on the grass.
The sheep in the middle is looking up.
The men are leaning on the railing. The men are talking.
The man on the left is wearing a hat.
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

9. 4. What you think (speculation)
I get the impression
It makes me think of…
It seems (that)
It looks (like / as if)
MODAL VERBS OF SPECULATION
They must be
She could/might/may (well) be
obviously
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016

10. Speculating
The two men are talking. I get the impression
that they are in some rural place such as a
farm. They might be discussing the problems
in their farms. They are wearing suits and
hats, as if it was Sunday and maybe they are
attending some kind of festivity or special
occasion. They obviously are not in the city
but in the countryside. They could be near
some stables of horses...
Victoria Samaniego 2015-2016