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Variant 5

Describe Photos

Two friends sitting together at a table, one cutting paper to make a handmade postcard while the other flips through a colourful postcard rack in a shop
Task 4 · Postcards for Family & Friends
Describe · Compare · Give Your Opinion
All variants
Task 4 — School Project

Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project "Postcards for Family and Friends". You have found some photos to illustrate it but for technical reasons you cannot send them now. Leave a voice message to your friend explaining your choice of the photos and sharing some ideas about the project. In 2.5 minutes be ready to:

  • Explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences
  • Mention the advantages (1–2) of the two types of postcards
  • Mention the disadvantages (1–2) of the two types of postcards
  • Express your opinion on the subject of the project — say which type of postcards you preferred as a child and why

You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.

Photos for the task
A child's hands crafting a handmade postcard using scissors, glue, paper letters and felt-tip pens on a wooden table
Photo 1
A tall spinning rack full of colourful printed postcards displayed in a stationery shop
Photo 2
Build Your Speech
1
Describe the photos & note the differences
Briefly describe what you see in each photo, then point out the key difference between the two types of postcards shown.
In the first photo I can see 
The second photo shows 
The main difference is that 
Both photos are connected by 
2
Advantages of both types
Mention 1–2 benefits for each type of postcard.
One advantage of a handmade postcard is that it 
As for store-bought postcards, a clear benefit is that they 
3
Disadvantages of both types
Mention 1–2 drawbacks for each type of postcard.
A drawback of handmade postcards is that they 
On the other hand, store-bought postcards 
4
Your opinion & childhood preference
Say which type of postcard you preferred as a child and explain why.
As a child, I preferred 
…because 
To sum up, I think that 
Phrase Bank
Useful Phrases
Describing
In the foreground / background… It looks like… / It seems to be… The photo was taken indoors / outdoors I can also notice…
Comparing
Unlike the first photo, the second one… While Photo 1 shows…, Photo 2 depicts… Another difference is that…
Pros & Cons
It is worth mentioning that… … tends to be much more… What is more, … However, it should be noted that…
Opinion
As for me, I would choose… In my opinion, … is a better choice since… I strongly believe that…
Vocabulary
Key Words for This Topic
handmade
сделанный вручную
A handmade card always feels more personal than a printed one.
to craft
мастерить, создавать вручную
She loves to craft greeting cards for her friends' birthdays.
store-bought
купленный в магазине
Store-bought postcards are quick and easy to find.
unique
уникальный, неповторимый
Every handmade card is unique because no two are identical.
to decorate
украшать, декорировать
Children decorated their postcards with stickers and drawings.
recipient
получатель (письма, подарка)
The recipient was touched by the effort put into the card.
effort
усилие, старание
Making a postcard by hand requires real time and effort.
mass-produced
произведённый серийно
Mass-produced cards lack the personal touch of a handmade one.
to express gratitude
выражать благодарность
A postcard is a lovely way to express gratitude to someone.
sentimental value
сентиментальная ценность
Handmade cards often have great sentimental value for families.
convenient
удобный, практичный
Buying a postcard is very convenient when you are short on time.
creative
творческий, креативный
Making postcards is a fun and creative activity for all ages.
Exam Conditions

School project "Postcards for Family and Friends". Leave a voice message: describe both photos, note differences, mention advantages and disadvantages of each type of postcard, give your opinion about which you preferred as a child.

2:30 preparation → 3:00 speaking. 12–15 sentences, no stops.

A child's hands crafting a handmade postcard using scissors, glue, paper letters and felt-tip pens on a wooden table
Photo 1
A tall spinning rack full of colourful printed postcards displayed in a stationery shop
Photo 2
Preparation
2:30
Press Start — exam conditions
Exam Phases
1
Preparation
Study the photos and plan your monologue
2:30
2
Speaking
Talk continuously — no pauses, no stopping
3:00
Examiner's Checklist
Described both photos — briefly and clearly
Noted the differences between the two types of postcards
Mentioned 1–2 advantages for each type of postcard
Mentioned 1–2 disadvantages for each type of postcard
Expressed and justified a childhood preference
Spoke within 3 minutes without long pauses

Exam Complete!

Check the boxes above — did you hit every criterion? If not, go back to Practice and refine.