Duolingo: Task 7, Speak about the photo
Speak about the Photo
Praxis: Look at a photograph, click on the record button, and describe what you see in words.
Time: 30 seconds to 1:30 maximum.
TIPS:
This task gives 20 seconds to look at the photo before the recording begins.
Use this time to organize your response.
This task is graded by an algorithm, so try to speak at an even pace and begin with a proper topic sentence and then give Support, detail/ example sentences, and a conclusion if you have time (i.e., Paragraph form)
For example:
:30 to 1:30
Record yourself saying the statement below
| :45
* Recording
|
You must have an ‘Organized response’: Topic sentence + detail (in the foreground, in the background). Try to be descriptive using accurate adjectives and nouns.
Speak about a Photo
The pictures in this task seemingly increase in complexity as they provide more items to talk about in the 30 to 90 seconds you have to speak. These questions and pictures are considered ‘open responses’, but if you provide an organized response your score will increase dramatically, as opposed to just speaking about a picture in any way you choose.
- While speaking from 30 to 90 seconds, choose 3 things in the image to discuss.
- 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 higher score because you are organized – spatially – and the algorithm will ‘recognize’ these movements with language!
- Also, use prepositions of place, next to, beside, on top of, between, etc.
- Use adjectives to give color or to describe.
Method:
While speaking for 30 to 90 seconds, use paragraph form and spatial prepositional phrases.
- Topic sentence = a general overview of the picture
- In the foreground, I can see … (next to, beside, in front of, between, etc. (a noun)
- In the background, I can see …(next to, beside, in front of, between, etc. (a noun)
- In the middle area, I can see …(next to, beside, in front of, between, etc. (a noun)
- A conclusory statement: (i.e., There is a lot going on in this picture.)
For example, Level 1 photo
| This is a picture of three women standing together on a beach. An older woman is in between two younger women, perhaps her daughters, and all three are looking towards a camera. In the background, I can see ocean tide running onto the beach. It must be cold as all three women are wearing sweaters. |
