Sample IELTS speaking Part 2, 3: Describe a photo

Describing a photo or picture is an extremely tricky topic in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 exam. To achieve a high band score when faced with this topic and confidently impress the examiners in the real test, the test taker's response needs to be logical, well-structured, using many compound and complex sentences, and high-level vocabulary.

Therefore, below is an outline, sample response, and some useful vocabulary that PREP has compiled to help you. Additionally, you can use the sample "Describe a photo" response for other related topics such as "Describe a photo of yourself that you like", "Describe a photo you have taken", or "Describe a photograph in your home"!

I. IELTS Speaking Part 2 question and answer: Describe a photo

1. Cue card: Describe a photo

Describe a photo you have taken. You should say:

• Where you took it

• When you took the photo

• What/ who is in the photo

How you felt about the photo.

2. Outline: Part 2

2.1. Sample idea 

• In the "Describe a Photo" essay, we need to briefly mention the context before the photo was taken. You can choose the most impressive vacation or the most recent event to provide more details in the "Describe a Photo" section. However, this part should only be 1-2 sentences long so that you can focus on the main idea.

• The most important part of the "Describe a Photo" task is describing the photo itself. You can talk about the clothing, the poses, and the background. You can also mention if there was any post-processing (such as Photoshop) or if the photo was left natural. After describing the photo, you can talk about how you use this photo, such as posting it on Facebook or keeping it for yourself.

• Finally, you can express your feelings about the photo and connect it back to the initial context you presented in the "Describe a Photo" task.

2.2. One-minute note taking

3. IELTS Speaking Task 2 samples: Describe a photo

Below is a IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer on the topic "Describe a photo". Take a look to effectively practice for the IELTS exam at home, Preppies!

Let's take a look at the IELTS Part 2 Speaking examples - "Describe a photo":

In my senior year of university, I had an intriguing assignment about Language Media. My teammates and I had to make a video reportage to apply the knowledge that we had learned. At the end of the shoot, we took a photo to memorize the course. Since I was not good at taking selfies, I set my phone from afar to capture the whole team.

Besides, If I had held the phone, the picture would have been definitely out of focus. I was lost at the layout in photography, so I told the girls to stand at the center of the camera’s lens. Four of us did a typical posture, the V sign with a smile. And because the concept was Vietnamese news reporters, we wore ao dai, which is the traditional costume for women.

Surprisingly, all of the colors of our outfits matched very well. The process went like clockwork, so our work, both the assignment and the picture, was satisfying. However, the photo was taken in a room with a greenscreen; therefore, I seized the chance and told my teammate to photoshop it just like we were in a real television studio.

Later on, we added the photo at the ending credits of the video assignment for self-encouragement, which was also a wave goodbye to this subject as it was a difficult subject. Luckily, we received a high score for that. I still keep it in my phone just to cherish that moment of pride and happiness.

Note: This IELTS Speaking Part 2 task can also be used for some other prompts such as: "Describe a photo you took that you are proud of", "Describe a photograph in your home", "Describe a photograph you like", "Describe a photo you have taken", etc.

Take a look at some high-level vocabulary used in the IELTS Speaking Part 2  Describe a photo examples:

• Out of Focus: blurry

• Be lost (adj): not know

• Layout (n): composition

• Lens (n): camera lens

• Posture (n): body pose

• go like clockwork: progress smoothly without difficulties

• Television studio (n): TV studio

• Ending credit (n): closing credits

• Cherish (v): value/appreciate

II. Sample IELTS Speaking Part 3: Photography

Let's listen to the Podcast of the IELTS Speaking Part 3 sample response - Photography:

1. What are the pros and cons of digital photography?

I think shooting digital pictures brings both benefits and drawbacks for the users. Speaking of the pros, digital cameras use a sensor array to automatically focus on the subject of the photo, which is quite helpful for new learners. Another good point of this type of photography is that we can see the end result of the work immediately. If the shot does not make you feel content, you can always take another one instantly. But every coin has two sides.

Digital cameras have a certain battery limitation, about 3 to 4 hours. In other words, if the photographer wants to use it for a whole day, he will have to carry several backup chargers. That is quite inconvenient in terms of portability. 

• Sensor array (n): sensor array

• Focus (v): to focus

• Shot (n): photograph

• Content (adj): satisfied

• Portability (n): ease of carrying/portability

2. Should people share their photographs online? Why/ Why not?

I would say it depends on the different situations. In the marketing field, celebrities posting pictures online to endorse a product is a must to advertise goods. I don’t think there is a problem when a person wants to share their photo when using a service. Infants or small children’s images, however, shouldn’t be exposed to the virtual world as they could become the subject of kidnappers.  

• Endorse (v): to endorse

• Infant (n): infant/baby

• Be exposed to sth (adj): to be exposed to something

3. Is it necessary to take a course to become a good photographer? Why/ Why not?

In a scene when a person wants to become a professional photographer, he or she ought to undergo formal training. Much of the reason is that having a degree can support the career of a person substantially.

Moreover, photographers-to-be can learn different schools of art so that they can gain inspiration or knowledge about the style that they want to pursue. For people who only consider taking pictures as a recreational activity, I don’t see the drive to engage in such academic curriculum. Well, short-term courses are much suitable for these people. 

• Undergo (v): to undergo

• Formal (adj): formal

• School (n): school (of thought/photography)

• Drive (n): drive

III. Conclusion

This article has provided a sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 + 3 response on the topic "Describe a photo" compiled by the teachers at PREP. Refer to the detailed sample to effectively practice for the IELTS Speaking test at home and achieve a high band score in your upcoming actual IELTS Speaking exam!