[ #TOEICSPEAKING ] How to describe a picture in 30 seconds - GwenTv

Summary

In this video, the speaker provides essential strategies for tackling the TOEIC Speaking Part 2, especially with the new changes that reduce answering time to 30 seconds. For pictures with 3 or fewer people, the speaker suggests focusing on location, appearance, and actions. For images with 4 or more people, the strategy involves breaking the picture into two sections and describing groups with general terms like 'all of them' or 'two of them.' Emphasis is placed on using action verbs to maximize points, with brief conclusions like 'maybe they are busy' to wrap up. The speaker also reassures viewers that practice makes perfect, offering tips to help students adapt to the tight time constraints.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Starting August 7th, TOEIC Speaking Part 2 will have 45 seconds of preparation and only 30 seconds for answering.
• ⏱️ The reduction from 45 to 30 seconds makes it more challenging to describe pictures fully.
• 👥 For pictures with 3 or fewer people, focus on: location of the picture, number of people, each person's location, appearance (one key feature), and action.
• 🎯 Actions (verbs) are the most important part for scoring points.
• 📌 If time allows, briefly mention background objects, but only if there are 5–7 seconds remaining.
• ✅ Provide a short closure at the end of your answer, such as 'maybe they are busy.'
• 🔢 For pictures with 4 or more people, split the picture into sections (e.g., left side and right side) and describe people in groups.
• 👔 Use phrases like 'all of them are,' 'some of them are,' or 'two of them are' to describe multiple people efficiently.
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• 📏 When describing multiple people, mention only one appearance feature per person and focus on their actions to save time.
• ✏️ Always prioritize describing people and their actions over background details to stay within the 30-second limit.
• 💡 Simple wrap-up phrases like 'maybe they are busy' or 'maybe they are having a good time' help provide a natural ending without taking much time.
• 📚 Practice with these strategies to ensure you can describe any picture efficiently within 30 seconds.

Q & A

What significant change is happening to the TOEIC Speaking test starting August 7th?

Starting August 7th, the format of Part 2 of the TOEIC Speaking test will change. The preparation time will increase to 45 seconds, but the answering time will be reduced to 30 seconds.

Why is the reduction of answering time in TOEIC Speaking Part 2 important?

The reduction to 30 seconds is significant because, for the last 15-16 years, candidates had 45 seconds to describe the pictures. This change may make it difficult for candidates to fit everything they want to say within the new time limit.

What strategy should be used when describing pictures with 3 or fewer people in TOEIC Speaking Part 2?

For pictures with three or fewer people, the strategy involves focusing on the location, appearance (mentioning one detail), and actions of the individuals. Describing their actions with specific verbs is crucial to earning more points.

What is the key element that TOEIC is looking for when you describe people's actions in Part 2?

TOEIC is particularly looking for the use of action verbs when describing people's activities in the image, as this helps candidates earn more points.

Can you describe an example of how to approach a picture with two people?

For a picture with two people, you would describe the location, appearance (mentioning one detail about each person), and actions. For example: 'On the left side, there is a man with short hair wearing a brown shirt. He is standing and making copies. On the right side, there is a woman with blonde hair. She is sitting and using a laptop.'

What is the recommended approach for describing pictures with four or more people in TOEIC Speaking Part 2?

For pictures with four or more people, it’s recommended to split the picture into sections (e.g., left side, right side) and describe the people in groups. You should use expressions like 'all of them,' 'some of them,' or 'one of them' to cover the actions and appearance of multiple people efficiently.

How should you describe a large group of people in a TOEIC Speaking Part 2 image?

When describing a large group of people, divide the group into sections. For example, for the left side of the picture, you could say, 'On the left side, there are three people. All of them are standing in line. One of them is wearing a dress, one is wearing jeans, and one has white hair.' For the right side, you might say, 'There are two people on the right side. Both are wearing uniforms and helping others.'

What should you do if you don't have time to describe everything in a picture during the 30-second TOEIC Speaking response?

If time is running short, focus on the most important aspects of the picture: the people, their location, their appearance (with just one detail), and their actions. Background details are not necessary unless you have extra time.

Is it necessary to include a conclusion like 'maybe they are busy' at the end of the description?

While it's not essential, you can wrap up your description with a simple sentence like 'Maybe they are busy' or 'Maybe they are having a good time' if you have a few seconds left. However, in most cases, you may not have enough time to add a conclusion.

What are some example phrases that could be used to describe a picture in TOEIC Speaking Part 2?

Some useful phrases include: 'On the left/right side of the picture,' 'All of them are...,' 'One of them is...,' 'Both of them are...,' and 'Maybe they are busy.' These phrases help in organizing and clearly describing the people and actions in the picture.