The Fonix 2017: Describing Pictures

To describe a picture or an image in English, you should follow these steps:

Introduction

· The photo / picture shows...

· It was taken by / in...

· It's a black-and-white / coloured photo.

What and where

· In the foreground/background there are... / there is... / you can see...

· On the left/right there are... / there is... / you can see...

· At the top/At the bottom there are... / there is... / you can see...

· In the middle/centre there are... / there is... / you can see...

· Behind/In front of ... there are... / there is... / you can see...

Who and what

To describe the persons or animals in the picture and explain what is happening, you have to use the Present Continuous: He is walking / They are sleeping / ...

Personal opinion

· It seems as if...

· The woman / boy / cat / child seems to...

· I think... / believe... /guess...

· I (don't) like the picture because...

For well skilled students, or those who want to improve their description skills, here you have a presentation with some exercises that could help you: 

Describing a Picture in English

The Fonix 2017: Transition Words and Phrases

Transition words and phrases help establish clear connections between ideas and ensure that sentences and paragraphs flow together smoothly, making them easier to read. Use the following words and phrases in the following circumstances.

To indicate more information: Besides Furthermore In addition Indeed In fact Second...Third..., etc.	To indicate an example: For example For instance In particular Particularly Specifically
To indicate a cause or reason: As Because Because of  For  For the reason that Since	To indicate a result or an effect: Finally Consequently So  Therefore
To indicate a purpose or reason why: In order to So So that With this in mind	To compare or contrast: Although  However  In comparison In contrast Nevertheless On the other hand Yet
To indicate a particular period of time:  After  Before During Eventually Finally First, . . . Second, . . ., etc. Immediately Later Next Previously Soon
To summarize: Briefly In brief Summing up To sum up To summarize	To conclude: Given these facts In conclusion So Therefore To conclude

The Fonix 2.017: Task Types (Regional Stage)

REGIONAL STAGE TASK TYPES:

Each year the competition uses a theme to base all the tasks around. The theme will be  in short announced.

1st CYCLE OF SECONDARY / 1º Y 2º DE ESO)

• Vocabulary: Verbs and nouns related to a theme.
• Reading: Text about the given theme with questions about it.
• Language: Present Simple / Past Simple + verbs related to theme.
• Tasks: gap filler, answering questions, matching, true / false questions and putting words in order to make sentences. Giving simple advice.
• Writing: Writing about 120 words about the given theme.
• Time Limit: 55 minutes

2nd CYCLE OF SECONDARY (3º Y 4º DE ESO)

• Vocabulary: General verb tense review, words related to a theme.
• Reading: Text about the given theme with questions about it.
• Language: Present simple / Past Simple / Present Perfect and Past Perfect.
• Tasks: Matching definitions, gap filler, completing sentences with correct tense, giving advice.
• Writing: Giving opinion about a theme. Writing about 130 words.
• Time Limit: 55 minutes

How to Write an Essay (2.017)

An essay has to be structured in three key elements:

1. Introduction
2. Body Paragraphs
3. Conclusion

1) Introduction

You should do just two things:

• State the topic of the essay, using some basic facts (that you may be able to take from the question)
• Say what you are going to write about

2) Body Paragraphs

You should have 2 or 3 body paragraphs - no more, and no less.

For your body paragraph, each paragraph should contain one controlling idea, and have sentences to support this.

3) Conclusion

The conclusion only needs to be one or two sentences, and you can do the following:

• Re-state what the essay is about (re-write the last sentence of your introduction in different words)
• Give some thoughts about the future.

What does a good essay need? An essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. ·         An academic essay should answer a question or task. ·         It should have a thesis statement (answer to the question) and an argument. ·         It should try to present or discuss something: develop a thesis via a set of closely related points by reasoning and evidence. ·         An academic essay should include relevant examples, supporting evidence and information from academic texts or credible sources.