PAPER 3: THE FIRST QUESTION in Picture Discussion

    Source:  The Sunday Times 27 June 2010

    The following THREE prompts for Picture Description are applicable to both N and O Level Candidates
    for 1189 and 1127 Englsih Language Paper 3 Oral Examinations. 

The FIRST question: THE ACTIVITY QUESTION
The purpose of the first question is to ask you to speak in FLUENT and ACCURATE English, about an overall impression of what you see in the photograph.  You should be able to talk broadly about the ACTIVITY that the PEOPLE are DOING.  Do not stray into description of particular objects or people.  If you must do so, then do so quickly and then return to the main ACTIVITY. 

Always think of what you SEE in the picture first.  Once you have EXHAUSTED that, use your IMAGINATION to think about things related to what you see which CANNOT be found in the picture.  IMAGINATION broadens your discussion and makes the examiner aware that you are ABLE TO CARRY A MATURE DISCUSSION. 

REMEMBER:  THIS IS A LANGUAGE EXAMINATION COMPONENT, NOT A TEST OF YOUR INTEGRITY (HONESTY).  So when you imagine something about the picture, you are not lying about it even if you have never experienced some of those things you are going to share with the examiner. 

REMEMBER:  IT MAY BE TERMED A "DISCUSSION" BUT YOU ARE THE CANDIDATE AND SO, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK A LOT MORE AND TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO "DISCUSS" THE PICTURE. 

REMEMBER:  EYE CONTACT and CLARITY OF YOUR SPEECH are important things.  The examiner needs to see you eye-to-eye when you speak.  He is not looking for the RIGHT answer but for your REASONABLE EXPLANATION. 

THE FIRST QUESTION MAY BE ASKED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

• What is the aim of this group of people? 
• Explain the purpose of the people here?
• What is the event that is happening here?
• Why do you think these people are gathered here?
• What do you think is happening here?
• Why do you think this event is being held here?