Picture Description is an important part of the Oral Exam and it needs to be practised. Two weeks ago, I published a post containing Some Useful Guidelines and Techniques for Picture Description that you might want to read.

One of the things that you need to take into account when describing a picture is that you cannot be 100% sure what is happening in the picture. Therefore, you need to use appropriate language to show you  are guessing. You have to speculate about the pictures For example: He is likely to / she’ll probably find it quite tough… etc

Some structures you can use:

• Look as if + sentence/ Seem as if + sentence : he looks as if / seems as if he is looking for something
• Seem + to infinitive: he seems to be tired/ he seems to be having a great time
• Look/ Seem + adjective: They look/ seem quite tired
• Appear + to infinitive : She doesn’t  appear to be concentrated on what she’s doing

Some modal verbs  you can use.

• Must : for positive deduction. He must be happy because he’s smiling. The photo must have been taken in summer.
• Can’t : for negative deduction. He can’t be going to school because he is not carrying books.
• May/ Might/Could : for posibility. He could be telling her something she doesn’t like. The photo might have been taken in winter as they are wearing winter clothes.

Words like : perhaps, maybe…

Let’s listen to an example now.

You’ll hear a girl called Magda practising this part of the Speaking test

Source: Complete First Certificate  by Cambridge