Describing a scene (spatial references)

Instructions: Describe some of the things that are happening in the picture below. The person you are speaking to cannot see the picture. You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Note:

1. In 30 seconds, choose 3 things in the image to discuss.
2. Be aware you have to move around in this picture ‘spatially’, so use the terms: In the foreground, I can see ….; In the background, I can see…; In the middle area, I can see. Use these terms and describe what you see somewhat accurately and you will be guaranteed a 7 or higher because you are organized – spatially!
3. Also, use prepositions of place, next to, beside, on top of, between, etc.
4. Use adjectives to give color or to describe.
5. Use Gerunds when necessary

While speaking for 60 seconds, use paragraph form and spatial prepositional phrases.

1. Topic sentence = a general overview of the picture
2. In the foreground, I can see …(next to, beside, in front of, between, etc. (a noun)
3. In the background, I can see …(next to, beside, in front of, between, etc. (a noun)
4. In the middle area, I can see …(next to, beside, in front of, between, etc. (a noun)
5. A conclusory statement: (i.e., There is a lot going on in this picture.)

Describe some of the things that are happening in the picture above. The person you are speaking to cannot see the picture. You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

NOTE: (verbs are underlined)

Note: (in italics; in the response are gerunds, or present participles, or words with ‘ing’ endings that resemble verbs but are nouns – driving, crossing, carrying, peddling, and resting).

Topic sentence: This picture ‘is’ of a street scene in, …maybe, India. In the foreground, I can see a man on a motorcycle driving down the middle of a road and a woman crossing the road carrying bags in her right hand. In the background, there are 2 story buildings that follow the curved road. People are walking on the side of the road beside the buildings. In the middle area, I can see a man who is peddling on a bicycle towards the man on the motorcycle and a woman crossing the street. There is a rickshaw driver resting on his rickshaw seat. It is a very busy street.

Statistics: 103 words were spoken in approximately 55 seconds.

Remember: You cannot talk about ‘everything’ in the picture – what you can do is give an organized response.

Marker’s score = 9 or 10

Content/Coherence: The test-taker describes several different people and their actions in the scene, which are suitable for the content of this task. The response is organized spatially as the response uses the foreground, background, and middle area to help give the listener a solid image of what the test-takers see in the image. The introductory and conclusory sentences support the overall image as well.

Vocabulary: The test-tasker uses apt vocabulary and accurate language to describe the scene. Although there are two errors with verb forms, the candidate’s response is excellent for the most part. Several gerunds are used correctly as well.

*Listenability: The speaker’s grammar errors have a minimal impact on the listener’s comprehension. The vocabulary is precise and is related to the question prompt.

Task Fulfillment: The response fulfills the question prompt due to its spatial organization and detail, so it is complete. In the response, the tone is consistent, and it is of a fitting length.