This document provides phrases to use when comparing and contrasting photos in Part 2 of the FCE Speaking test. In Part 2, students are given two photos and must talk about them for one minute, comparing the key details. They then answer a question from the examiner about the other student's photos. The document lists phrases like "In one photo there are..." and "The biggest difference between them is..." to structure comparisons. It also provides phrases for giving opinions and speculating about the photos like "It seems to me..." and "In my opinion..." to respond to the examiner's follow up question.

1. FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 2
USEFUL PHRASES TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST

2. LONG TURN: WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?
1. You get two colour photos. You have to talk
about them on your own for a minute. When you
finish, the examiner asks the other student
(student B) a question about your photos -
student B should talk for about 30 seconds.
2. Then student B gets two photos and has to talk
about them for one minute. When that is over,
the examiner asks you a question, and now you
have about 30 seconds to answer.
*In this part of the test, nobody should interrupt
you, and you shouldn't talk when the other
student is talking.

3. Compare the two photos and say what might be
good or bad for the people traveling in these ways.

4. COMPARING AND CONTRASTING
• The top picture shows...
• The bottom picture shows...
• [The top picture shows a man riding a bicycle, while the bottom picture
shows a man riding a motorbike.]
• In one photo there are...
• In the other photo there are...
• [In one photo there are some wonderful, snow-covered trees while in the
other photo there are cars in the background.]

5. • In the picture above it looks as if...
• In the one below it looks like...
• [In the picture above it looks as if a bear is chasing the man while in the
one below it looks like the man is chasing somebody else.]
• Both pictures show...
• In both pictures there are...
• They're both quite similar because they both show...
• [Both pictures show men traveling on their own.]
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

6. • There are... in both photographs.
• [There are men riding alone in both photographs.]
• This picture shows... but that one...
• [This one shows a cold country but that one looks quite hot.]
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

7. • In one respect the pictures are quite similar because...
• [In one respect the pictures are quite similar because the men look
very fit and sporty.]
• One difference between the pictures is that...
• [One difference between the pictures is that we can see other cars
and people in this picture.]
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

8. • The biggest difference between them is that this one... but the other
one...
• [The biggest difference between them is that this one has a bear in it
but the other one doesn't have any bears.]
• This one looks more ... than that.
• [This one looks more fun than that.]
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

9. • Doing ... isn't so ... as...
• [Riding a motorbike in a busy city isn't so healthy as riding a bike in
the fresh air.]
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

10. • Another thing that's different is...
• Something else that's different is...
• [This is a cold place, whereas this place looks hot. Another thing that's
different is that this motorbike looks quite old and cheap, while the
bike seems quite expensive.]
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

11. • They're alike in another way, too.
• [Both men look strong and healthy. They're alike in another way, too -
they are both adventurous and don't mind traveling alone.]
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

12. • In my opinion...
• I'd say that...
• I think...
• It seems to me...
• My view is that...
• [My view is that this bear has been photoshopped into that picture.
There's no way that's a real picture. It seems to me that the maker of
FCE Exam Tips tried to make this more interesting by putting a bear in
the photo.]
GIVING OPINION, SPECULATING