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Variant 9

Describe Photos

A warm family gathering around a dining table — sharing a home-cooked meal together, laughing and enjoying each other's company
Task 4 · Family Meals
Describe · Compare · Give Your Opinion
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Task 4 — School Project

Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project "Family Meals". 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 family meals
  • Mention the disadvantages (1–2) of the two types of family meals
  • Express your opinion on the subject of the project — say which type of family meals presented in the pictures you'd prefer and why

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

Photos for the task
A family gathered around a dining table at home, enjoying a home-cooked meal together with warm lighting and cheerful expressions
Photo 1
A family dining at a restaurant, being served by a waiter in a cosy, well-lit establishment
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 family meals 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 of family meals
Mention 1–2 benefits for each type of family meal.
One advantage of eating at home is that it 
As for dining out, a clear benefit is that it 
3
Disadvantages of both types of family meals
Mention 1–2 drawbacks for each type of family meal.
A drawback of eating at home is that it 
On the other hand, restaurant meals 
4
Your opinion & preference
Say which type of family meal you personally prefer and explain why.
Personally, I would choose 
…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
home-cooked meal
домашняя еда, блюдо домашнего приготовления
Nothing beats a home-cooked meal after a long day.
to dine out
обедать / ужинать в ресторане
We occasionally dine out to celebrate special events.
family bonding
сближение семьи, укрепление семейных связей
Sharing meals is one of the best ways to strengthen family bonding.
affordable
доступный по цене, недорогой
Cooking at home is far more affordable than eating at a restaurant.
to gather around the table
собираться за столом
Every Sunday the family gathers around the table for a big lunch.
nutrition
питание, питательная ценность
Home cooking allows you to control the nutrition of every dish.
atmosphere
атмосфера, обстановка
The restaurant had a cosy atmosphere that the whole family enjoyed.
time-consuming
требующий много времени
Preparing a big family dinner can be quite time-consuming.
quality time
качественное время вместе, время в кругу близких
Eating together is a great way to spend quality time as a family.
to treat oneself
побаловать себя, сделать себе подарок
Dining out is a nice way to treat oneself on a special occasion.
tradition
традиция
Having Sunday dinner together is a cherished family tradition.
to share a meal
разделить трапезу, поесть вместе
Sharing a meal brings people closer and encourages conversation.
Exam Conditions

School project "Family Meals". Leave a voice message: describe both photos, note differences, mention advantages and disadvantages of each type of family meal, give your opinion.

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

A family gathered around a dining table at home, enjoying a home-cooked meal together with warm lighting and cheerful expressions
Photo 1
A family dining at a restaurant, being served by a waiter in a cosy, well-lit establishment
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 family meals
Mentioned 1–2 advantages for each type of family meal
Mentioned 1–2 disadvantages for each type of family meal
Expressed and justified a personal 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.