The BEST 5 Ways to Write About a Photo on the Duolingo English Test

Summary

This video script offers a concise guide for students tackling the Duolingo English Test's photo description task. It emphasizes the importance of a general summary to initiate the response, using present simple or continuous tenses. The script advises detailing the photo by describing actions, utilizing prepositional phrases for location, and making speculations to add depth. Bonus tips include memorizing varied introductory statements and employing rich descriptive language to enhance scores. The video also encourages practice with sample photos for proficiency.

Takeaways

• 🕒 **Time Management**: The video emphasizes the importance of time management, as students have only one minute to describe a photo on the Duolingo English test.
• 📝 **Starting Strategy**: It recommends beginning with a general summary to quickly establish the scene, using simple present tense or present continuous.
• 🔍 **Detailing Actions**: Describing the actions of the subjects in the photo is a key strategy, using the present continuous tense to add depth to the description.
• 📍 **Location Description**: Using prepositional phrases to describe the location of elements within the photo can enhance the detail and sophistication of the response.
• 🎨 **Speculation**: Making educated guesses or speculations about the photo can add an advanced touch, as long as it's closely related to the visual content.
• 📈 **Advanced Grammar**: The script suggests using modal verbs and other advanced grammatical structures to speculate, which can boost the score.
• 🌟 **Descriptive Language**: Encourages the use of adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions to enrich the description and impress the grader.
• 📖 **Memorization Practice**: Advises memorizing and practicing typing various introductory statements quickly to save time during the test.
• 📚 **Study Resources**: Recommends taking screenshots of provided examples and practicing with them to improve photo description skills.
• 🎥 **Additional Practice**: Suggests watching additional videos with photos and sample answers for further practice.

Q & A

What is the main challenge students face when describing a photo in one minute for the Duolingo English Test?

The main challenge is the time constraint of one minute to effectively describe a photo, which is inherently difficult due to the complexity of capturing details and composing a coherent description within such a short timeframe.

What is the recommended approach to begin describing a photo according to the video?

The recommended approach is to start with a general summary by writing one sentence that describes the photo in general terms, using present simple or present continuous tenses.

Can you provide examples of how to begin a general summary when describing a photo?

Examples include starting with phrases like 'This photo shows', 'This is an image of', 'This picture depicts', 'In this photograph there is', or 'There are'.

Why is it important to memorize and practice typing the introductory statements quickly?

It is important because the time limit for the question type is only one minute, and being able to type these statements quickly can save valuable seconds during the actual test.

How can one add details to their photo description to improve their score on the Duolingo English Test?

One can add details by describing the actions of the people or subjects in the photo, using present continuous tense, and by describing the location of things using prepositional phrases.

What is the purpose of using prepositional phrases in the description of a photo?

Using prepositional phrases adds detail and complexity to the description, which can enhance the quality of the response and potentially boost the score due to the demonstration of advanced grammar.

Can you give an example of how to describe the location of subjects in a photo using prepositional phrases?

An example is 'The teacher is in front of the students who are sat in rows, and there is a large interactive screen behind him.'

What is the role of speculation in describing a photo for the Duolingo English Test?

Speculation allows for the inclusion of inferences or guesses about what is happening in the photo, which can add depth to the description and demonstrate higher-level thinking and language skills.

How can modal verbs be used to make speculations in a photo description?

Modal verbs like 'must', 'may', 'might', or 'can't be' can be used to express speculation about present actions or states, while 'might have', 'must have', or 'could not have' can be used for past speculations.

What is the bonus tip given in the video for describing a photo effectively?

The bonus tip is to always try to use descriptive language, such as adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions, to enrich the description and potentially increase the score due to vocabulary diversity.

Why is using descriptive language important when describing a photo on the Duolingo English Test?

Using descriptive language adds detail and specificity to the description, which can make the response more vivid and engaging, and it is also a scoring criterion that assesses vocabulary use.