# Picture Description (Part 2 of the speaking exam)
This is a methodology / phrasebook for the **second part** of the oral exam, where you get a picture (or two) and need to describe and compare them. It's not a topic — it's a skill.

### 1. Standard Structure (Use this every time)

1. **Introduction** — what kind of picture, what's the general topic.
2. **General description** — what you see overall (people, place, atmosphere).
3. **Detailed description** — foreground, background, left/right, objects.
4. **Speculation** — who the people are, what they're doing, what just happened or will happen.
5. **Comparison** (if you have two pictures) — similarities and differences.
6. **Personal opinion / connection** — does it relate to your life? Would you like to be there?

### 2. Introduction Phrases

- "The picture **shows / depicts / illustrates** a group of young people in a café."
- "It is a **photograph / drawing / cartoon / poster / advertisement**."
- "The picture was probably **taken** in a city centre / in summer / during a festival."
- "I think the general topic of this picture is **family life / urban transport / education**."

### 3. Locating Things (Spatial vocabulary)

- **In the foreground** _(v popředí)_ — closest to the viewer.
- **In the background** _(v pozadí)_ — far from the viewer.
- **In the middle / centre** of the picture.
- **On the left / right side**, **in the top / bottom corner**.
- **Next to**, **behind**, **in front of**, **between**, **opposite**, **above**, **below**, **near**.
- "**At the top of the picture** I can see a sky full of clouds."
- "**In the bottom right corner** there is a small dog."

### 4. Describing People

- **Appearance:** "He is **a man in his thirties**, **tall and slim**, with **short dark hair** and a **beard**. He is wearing **a blue suit and a white shirt**."
- **Action:** "She **is sitting at a table**, **smiling** and **looking at her phone**."
- **Emotion:** "He **looks happy / tired / worried / confused / relaxed**."
- **Number:** "There are **about ten people** in the picture, mostly young."

### 5. Hedging — Don't Commit (Very Important)

You can't be sure what's in a picture, so **use uncertainty phrases** all the time. It sounds more natural and buys you time.

- "It **looks like** a wedding."
- "It **seems to be** a school cafeteria."
- "It **could be / might be** somewhere in southern Europe."
- "**Judging by** their clothes, it's probably **autumn**."
- "I'd say they **are about to** leave."
- "They **appear to be** colleagues rather than friends."
- "I'm **not entirely sure**, but it **gives the impression of** a busy market."

### 6. Speculating (What is happening?)

- "I think they **are celebrating** someone's birthday."
- "It's possible that they **have just finished** a meeting."
- "Maybe they **are waiting for** a train."
- "They **must be** very tired after a long day."
- "She **can't be** the mother — she looks too young."

### 7. Comparing Two Pictures

If you get two pictures, you must compare them.

**Similarities:**
- "Both pictures **show / depict** people in their free time."
- "In both cases, we can see…"
- "Similarly to the first picture, the second one…"
- "Like the first picture, this one **focuses on**…"

**Differences:**
- "However, **unlike** the first picture, the second one shows…"
- "**Whereas** the first picture is set indoors, the second one takes place outside."
- "The main difference is that…"
- "In contrast, …"
- "On the other hand, …"

### 8. Atmosphere and Mood

- "The **atmosphere** is **cheerful / peaceful / tense / chaotic / romantic**."
- "The picture has a **warm / cold / bright / dark** colour palette."
- "The mood feels **relaxed / formal / energetic**."

### 9. Giving Your Opinion

The examiner will usually ask follow-up questions. Be ready to say what you think.

- "**In my opinion**, the picture nicely shows…"
- "**Personally**, I would prefer the situation in the second picture, because…"
- "**I find** the first picture more interesting / appealing / typical."
- "**It reminds me of** my own family / school / hometown."
- "**If I had to choose**, I would rather be in the situation shown in picture B."

### 10. If You Don't Know a Word

This is the #1 survival skill. Don't freeze — **paraphrase**.

- "I don't know the exact word, but it's a **kind of** tool used for cutting wood."
- "It looks like a **device for** measuring temperature."
- "It's that **thing you use to** open bottles."
- "I'm not sure what it's called in English, but it's **similar to** a backpack."

### 11. Buying Time (Fillers)

When you need a second to think, don't go silent — use natural fillers.

- "Well, **let me see**…"
- "**That's an interesting picture**…"
- "**As I mentioned earlier**…"
- "**On second thoughts**, …"
- "**To be honest**, …"

### 12. Quick 1-Minute Template

If you blank out, just plug it into this template:

> "The picture **shows** \_\_\_. It was probably **taken** in \_\_\_. **In the foreground** I can see \_\_\_, and **in the background** there is \_\_\_. The people **look** \_\_\_ and they **seem to be** \_\_\_ing. The atmosphere is \_\_\_. **It reminds me of** \_\_\_. **Personally**, I think \_\_\_."

That's roughly 60 seconds of speech — enough to survive any picture.