Task 3: Describing a Scene Template
The Template¶
Prep time: 30 seconds | Speaking time: 60 seconds | Blanks to fill: 5
Everything outside the brackets is memorized word for word. Scan the picture left to right and fill in what you see.
"In this picture, I can see a group of people in
what appears to be [SETTING]. The scene appears to
be taking place in [WHERE]. It looks like a
beautiful day.
On the left side, I can see [DETAIL 1].
In the middle, there is [DETAIL 2].
On the right side, I notice [DETAIL 3].
Overall, the atmosphere looks very [MOOD]. Everyone
seems to be having a great time. It really looks
like a wonderful scene, and I think the people in
this picture are really enjoying themselves."
Your 30-Second Prep¶
Scan the picture and scribble:
1. setting (outdoor / indoor / public)
2. where (park / office / restaurant)
3. left — one thing
4. middle — one thing
5. right — one thing
That's it. 3 details is enough. Don't try to describe the whole picture.
What to Fill In¶
| Blank | Pick or describe |
|---|---|
[SETTING] |
an outdoor / an indoor / a public |
[WHERE] |
a park / an office / a restaurant / a street |
[DETAIL 1] |
say what you see on the left |
[DETAIL 2] |
say what you see in the middle |
[DETAIL 3] |
say what you see on the right |
[MOOD] |
pick one from the mood table below |
Universal Mood Words — Memorize 3¶
| What you see | Use this |
|---|---|
| People smiling / eating / playing | lively and cheerful |
| Calm scene / nature / quiet | peaceful and relaxing |
| Busy scene / lots of people | vibrant and energetic |
Setting + Opening Pairs¶
| Picture shows | Setting | Opening |
|---|---|---|
| Park / beach / street | an outdoor setting | "It looks like a beautiful day." |
| Office / classroom / home | an indoor setting | "It looks like a busy environment." |
| Mall / station / event | a public area | "It looks like a busy environment." |
How to Describe Details¶
When you say what you see, use this simple pattern: [PERSON/THING] + is/are + [VERB-ING]
| You see | You say |
|---|---|
| A man with a dog | "a man walking his dog" |
| Kids on swings | "a few children playing on the swings" |
| Woman at a table | "a woman sitting at a table reading a book" |
| Trees | "some tall trees providing shade" |
| Cars | "several cars parked along the street" |
Keep it simple — just say what you see.
Example: Park Scene¶
Picture: A sunny park with people doing various activities.
30-second prep notepad:
1. outdoor
2. park
3. left — man walking dog
4. middle — family having picnic
5. right — children playing
Full response:
"In this picture, I can see a group of people in what appears to be an outdoor setting. The scene appears to be taking place in a park. It looks like a beautiful day.
On the left side, I can see a man walking his dog along the path. In the middle, there is a family having a picnic on the grass. On the right side, I notice a few children playing on the swings.
Overall, the atmosphere looks very lively and cheerful. Everyone seems to be having a great time. It really looks like a wonderful scene, and I think the people in this picture are really enjoying themselves."
Example: Office Scene¶
Picture: An office with people working and meeting.
30-second prep notepad:
1. indoor
2. office
3. left — woman on computer
4. middle — group meeting
5. right — man on phone
Full response:
"In this picture, I can see a group of people in what appears to be an indoor setting. The scene appears to be taking place in an office. It looks like a busy environment.
On the left side, I can see a woman working on her computer at a desk. In the middle, there is a group of colleagues having a meeting around a table. On the right side, I notice a man talking on the phone.
Overall, the atmosphere looks very vibrant and energetic. Everyone seems to be having a great time. It really looks like a wonderful scene, and I think the people in this picture are really enjoying themselves."
Delivery Tips — Sound Natural, Not Robotic¶
Pause with Purpose¶
| Bad pause | Good pause |
|---|---|
| "um... on the left I see..." | "On the left side... (pause) ...I can see a man walking his dog." |
| "uh... overall..." | "Overall... (pause) ...the atmosphere looks very lively and cheerful." |
Emphasize Key Words¶
| Line | How to say it |
|---|---|
| "what appears to be an outdoor setting" | Stress the setting type |
| "It looks like a beautiful day" | Sound appreciative |
| "the atmosphere looks very lively and cheerful" | Sound warm |
| "really enjoying themselves" | Smile, sound convinced |
The Secret: Smile While Speaking¶
The examiner can hear a smile in your voice. It makes the whole response sound warmer and more natural — even if you're reading from memory.
Memorization Checklist¶
Practice saying the template out loud until you can do it without looking:
- Opening: "In this picture, I can see a group of people in what appears to be . The scene appears to be taking place in . It looks like a beautiful day."
- Details: "On the left side, I can see . In the middle, there is . On the right side, I notice ___."
- Closing: "Overall, the atmosphere looks very ___. Everyone seems to be having a great time. It really looks like a wonderful scene, and I think the people in this picture are really enjoying themselves."