Describing a picture

Want to become a "Pro" in describing pictures?

Oh, yes! Challenge acceptecd!

Mhmm... Maybe later!

Wrong answer my friend :-)

Ok, let's do it then...

Listen

STEP 1: Even though there is no real order how to do a picture description, you should always start it with general impressions. So what is the overall topic/main idea of the picture? Don't start with details! A good way to start your description would be:

• In the picture I can see two people who are hiking in the mountains...
• The picture shows two people hiking in the mountains...

KEEP IN MIND When you describe something in the picture that is always there, for example the landscape, use the simple present:

• There are some mountains...
• There is snow on the hill...

Talking about the background In your picture decription you should also be able to describe WHERE something in the picture is. Talking about the background of a picture you can describe for example the landsape, city, other people, sky etc. depending on what you can see in the background. In that case you could for example say:

• In the background you can see some high mountains which are partly covered with snow...
• The background of the picture shows some snow covered mountains...

Talking about the weather: Talking about the weather is always a good idea. But you should rather do that at a later point during your description. For example you could say:

• The sky is heavily clouded and it looks as if could rain soon...
• The weather doesn't look very inviting. There are huge, dark clouds...

TALKING ABOUT THE FOREGROUND In your picture decription you should be able to describe WHERE something in the picture is. If there is something you can see in the foreground of the picture, you should describe that as well. For example you could say:

• In the foreground of the picture you can see some bushes which are growing on the right and left side of the trail...
• The foreground of the picture shows some green and some bushes...

Talking about activites If you talk about on-going activities you can see in the picture, for example if someone is playing football, dancing or writing messages on his/her smartphone, you always have to use the present progressive (Verlaufsform) "to be" form + verb+ing For example:

• The two people in the picture are hiking on a trail...
• Maybe the man and the woman are talking to each other...

Talking about clothes: Depending on the picture, so for example if there is a close-up of a person, you can and should also talk about the clothes people are wearing in the picture. For example:

• The man is carrying a red backpack and is wearing some brown trousers.
• The woman is wearing a grey jacket and a black backpack.

WATCH OUT! Make sure that you use the present progressive when you describe what the persons are wearing (is/are wearing)

No idea what to describe anymore? ... than start guessing and interpreting. For example you could talk about, where the picture was taken or what you think the people in the picture might be doing/thinking... For example:

• I guess the picture was taken in the Alps...
• Maybe the two hikers are on longer hike because they both are carrying two big backpacks...

at the top ...

at the bottom...

on the right...

on the left...

in the middle of the picture...

talking about clothes

Next

tights

dress

leather jacket

hat

bag

leather shoes

sunglasses

jeans

grey jacket

tie

sneakers

shirt

watch

talking about appearance

Next

curly hair

white teeth

necklace

short hair

full beard

dark skinned

white skinned

good-looking woman

attractive man

talking about feelings

Next

scared

excited

sad, anxious

frustrated, depressed

satisfied

surprised

happy

angry, furious

self-confident, proud

Picture Description 2

Picture Description 1

Listen to both picture descriptions carefully. Remember of what you've learned in terms of "describing pictures" and decide which one is the better one. Klick on it!

Mhm.... Are you sure?

Listen to both picture descriptions again.

Back

O

Have you already worked yourself through the interactive picture and have completed your worksheet?

SURE!

ähm...!

Well, all right! I'll come back later.

I am ready for the test.

O

Have you already worked yourself through the interactive picture and have completed your worksheet?

ähm...!

SURE!

Well, all right! I'll come back later.

I am ready for the test.

Correct!

The second pictures discription is definitely the better one.

Continute with another test.

Back

Next

Next

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

On the next page, you will find a picture that you have to describe. Prepare the picture description for the next lesson. The description should be one minute long!Remeber all aspects which are important for a good picture description!

Next

Back

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

On the next page, you will find a picture that you have to describe. Record it with your iPad and send me the audio file via TEAMS. The description should be one minute long!Remeber all aspects which are important for a good picture description!

Next