Some ideas for photo speculation exercises

1. Photo speculation
José A. Alcalde
This is a typical oral (but could also be written) activity in many official English tests at different levels like PET,
First Ceritficate, CAE, etc. Logically it is a variation of the well-known photo description exercise. In this
activity students are shown one picture and they have to speculate or guess what is going on in the photo.
Here are some useful tips to consider:
- Take your time to look closely at the photo and take mental notes of things to comment. Look for
clues, connections, hints, etc. You can rely on your experience, prior knowledge, etc.
- Go beyond the photo. You are expected to add more information than what we can actually see by
guessing, making assumptions, predictions, etc.
- If your mind goes blank, take a deep breath, look at the photo again and go on. Alternatively, you can
use fillers like: “Let me see...”, “I need to think about that...” or “It may seem that...”
- If you are not sure, don't try to use complicated structures or ideas. Keep it simple.
- When you don't know a particular word or phrase you need in English, look for alternative ways to say
something similar.
- Don't speak too fast or too quickly. Take your time and also see the reactions of the examiner.
- Don't worry about mistakes. It is always better than being silent. If you can, correct yourself after a
mistake.
ORDER TO FOLLOW
1. Start with a general overview of the photo by using expressions like: “The picture shows...”, “In this
picture I can see...”, “In the picture there is/are...”
2. Start your guessing and talk about what you think is happening in the photo (present) , or happened
just before (past) or will have right after (future).
3. Answer the questions (if there are any) asked by the examiner. Remember to avoid Yes/No answers.
The examiner wants you to use English as much as possible.
VOCABULARY
Obviously the vocabulary we need for this exercise will depend on the photo we are given. So we cannot
prepare in advance this aspect.
GRAMMAR
When speculating about pictures there are certain structures that we may use frequently such as:
- Expressions of certainty, likelihood, probability, etc. by using adverbs like “maybe, probably, certainly,
perhaps, etc”.
- Modal verbs to express again certainty, possibility, probability, etc., such us “can, may, could, must,
might, etc.”
- Adverbs of degree like “a little, slightly, quite, very, absolutely, extremely, etc.”
Look at the photos below and start practicing now!!