IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Objects
Describe a photo that you are fond of
Describe a photo that you are fond of
You should say:
- when and where the photo was taken
- who or what is in the picture
- how you store or display it
and explain why this photo is meaningful to you.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
when and where the photo was taken
When and where: Taken three years ago during a family trip in the mountains.
- 2
who or what is in the picture
Who or what: Parents and siblings laughing naturally near a foggy waterfall.
- 3
how you store or display it
Storage: Displayed in an oak frame on my desk and as phone wallpaper.
- 4
and explain why this photo is meaningful to you.
Closing: Meaningful because it captures family unity before everyone moved away.
Sample answer
about 238 words · 2 minutesTo be honest, I have plenty of pictures, but one photo that really stands out is a candid shot taken about three years ago during a family holiday in the countryside. We had gone for an early morning hike in a national park, reaching a scenic spot overlooking a waterfall just as the sun broke through the mist. In the picture, my parents and two siblings are standing on a wooden bridge, completely unaware that I was snapping a photo. They are all bundled up in warm jackets and laughing hysterically because my brother had just lost his balance on some wet leaves. The background shows tall pine trees shrouded in soft fog, giving the whole scene a peaceful, almost dreamlike quality. Regarding how I keep it, I actually printed and framed a copy in light oak wood, which sits right on my study desk. I also set a digital version as the lock screen on my phone, so I see it daily. This image is incredibly meaningful to me because it captures a rare, unscripted moment of pure joy. Now that my siblings and I have moved to different cities for university and work, we seldom manage to gather like that. Whenever I glance at this snapshot, it immediately brings back warm memories and lifts my spirits when I am feeling stressed or homesick. Overall, it is definitely a keepsake I will treasure for years to come.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
stands out above all others
Among all the artwork in the museum, this painting stands out above all others.
a candid shot
I prefer taking a candid shot over a posed picture because it looks more natural.
shrouded in soft fog
The valley was completely shrouded in soft fog early this morning.
lifts my spirits
Listening to upbeat music always lifts my spirits after a long workday.
a keepsake I will treasure
This handwritten letter from my grandmother is a keepsake I will treasure forever.
Common mistakes
The photo was took three years ago.
The photo was taken three years ago.
Use the past participle taken with passive voice, not the simple past took.
In the picture, my family is sit and laugh.
In the picture, my family is sitting and laughing.
Use present continuous tense to describe ongoing actions visible inside a photograph.
This photo is very meaningful for me.
This photo is very meaningful to me.
Use the preposition to when expressing personal emotional significance.
Tips for a higher band
- Use continuous tenses (e.g., 'are standing', 'were laughing') when describing actions visible within a picture.
- Use transition markers like 'As for how I store it' to move smoothly between bullet points.
- Enhance vocabulary by describing emotions and atmospheric details using adjectives like 'candid' or 'dreamlike'.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Why do people like taking photos when they travel to new places?
- Do you think printed photo albums are better than digital storage?
- How has social media photo sharing changed the way people communicate?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.