C1 Speaking Part 2: Master Photo Comparison in 60 Seconds

The Golden Structure: Your 60-Second Roadmap

Timing Breakdown

• 0-5 seconds: Process and introduce
• 5-20 seconds: Compare two photos
• 20-40 seconds: Answer first question
• 40-55 seconds: Answer second question
• 55-60 seconds: Conclude

The Opening Formula

Start with these phrases while your brain processes:

• "So, let me see..."
• "Right, looking at these images..."
• "OK, these photos show..."
• "Well, at first glance..."

Essential Comparison Language

Basic Comparison Structures

Similarities

• "Both photos show..."
• "In each image, we can see..."
• "Similarly, both pictures depict..."
• "One thing they have in common is..."
• "What links these images is..."

Differences

• "Whereas in the first photo..., in the second..."
• "While the left image shows..., the right one..."
• "In contrast to the first photo..."
• "Unlike the first image..."
• "The main difference I can see is..."

Advanced Comparison Phrases

Sophisticated Comparisons

• "What strikes me about the first photo, as opposed to the second, is..."
• "The first image gives the impression of..., whereas the second suggests..."
• "Whilst both photos deal with..., they approach it from different angles"
• "The juxtaposition of these images highlights..."
• "What's particularly noticeable when comparing these photos is..."

Focusing on Specific Aspects

• "In terms of atmosphere..."
• "Looking at the body language..."
• "Regarding the setting..."
• "When it comes to the mood..."
• "As far as the people's expressions are concerned..."

Speculation Language That Scores Points

Certainty Levels

Answering the Questions: Beyond Description

Question Type 1: "How might the people be feeling?"

Structure: Speculation + Evidence + Empathy

Example phrases:

• "The people in the first photo look absolutely thrilled, probably because... I can imagine feeling the same way if..."
• "In contrast, those in the second image seem rather apprehensive, which is understandable given that..."
• "While the person on the left appears confident and relaxed, perhaps due to..., the one on the right looks somewhat overwhelmed, possibly because..."

Question Type 2: "Why might they have chosen to...?"

Structure: Reason + Benefit + Personal connection

Example phrases:

• "They might have chosen this because... The advantage of this would be..."
• "One reason could be... This would allow them to..."
• "Perhaps they decided to... as it offers the opportunity to..."
• "It's possible they opted for this in order to... which many people find..."

Question Type 3: "What challenges might they face?"

Structure: Challenge + Consequence + Solution hint

Example phrases:

• "One obvious challenge would be... This could lead to..."
• "They might struggle with... particularly if..."
• "A potential difficulty could be... though they could overcome this by..."
• "What might prove challenging is... especially when..."

Advanced Techniques for Fluency

The Sandwich Technique

Don't just jump between photos randomly. Use this structure:

1. Compare both photos (the bread)
2. Focus on one photo (the filling)
3. Return to comparison (the bread)

The Zoom In/Zoom Out Method

• Start with general observations
• Zoom in on specific details
• Zoom out to broader implications

The Cultural Commentary

Add depth by considering cultural aspects:

• "This is particularly common in cultures where..."
• "From a cultural perspective, this might represent..."
• "In many societies, this kind of activity is seen as..."

Time Fillers That Don't Sound Like Fillers

When you need a moment to think:

• "What's particularly interesting here is..."
• "Another aspect worth mentioning is..."
• "Something else that catches my eye is..."
• "It's also worth noting that..."
• "Come to think of it..."

Common Part 2 Topics and Ready Phrases

Work/Career Photos

• "career progression"
• "work-life balance"
• "professional development"
• "job satisfaction"
• "workplace dynamics"

Education/Learning

• "learning environment"
• "educational approach"
• "skill development"
• "collaborative learning"
• "traditional versus modern methods"

Technology/Communication

• "digital divide"
• "face-to-face interaction"
• "virtual connections"
• "generational differences"
• "the impact of technology on..."

Leisure/Entertainment

• "recreational activities"
• "passive versus active entertainment"
• "social aspects of..."
• "personal preferences"
• "cultural significance"

The 30-Second Comment

After your partner's turn, you have 30 seconds to comment. Don't just agree!

Structure:

1. React to their point (5 seconds)
2. Add new perspective (20 seconds)
3. Conclude (5 seconds)

Phrases:

• "That's an interesting point about... I'd also add that..."
• "I hadn't considered that aspect. From my perspective..."
• "Building on what you said about..."
• "While I agree about..., I think it's also worth mentioning..."

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Speed Associations

Look at any photo and generate 5 aspects to discuss in 30 seconds:

• Who/What/Where
• Mood/Atmosphere
• Purpose/Reason
• Challenges/Benefits
• Personal connection

Exercise 2: Comparison Chains

Practice linking comparisons smoothly:

"Both show outdoor activities. However, while the first is clearly recreational, the second seems more competitive. This difference in purpose probably explains why the people in the first photo look relaxed whereas those in the second appear quite tense."

Exercise 3: Question Prediction

For any set of photos, predict possible questions:

• Feelings/Emotions
• Reasons/Motivations
• Advantages/Disadvantages
• Challenges/Difficulties
• Future outcomes

Examiner's Marking Criteria

Remember what examiners are actually listening for:

• Range of vocabulary (not just accuracy)
• Variety of structures (comparisons, speculation, conditionals)
• Coherence (logical flow, not random observations)
• Task achievement (answering both questions)
• Fluency (filling the time naturally)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Describing instead of comparing - Always link photos
2. Ignoring the questions - They're not optional!
3. Running out of steam - Practice sustaining speech
4. Fixating on one photo - Balance your attention
5. Using basic vocabulary - Upgrade your lexis

Your Part 2 Survival Kit

Daily Practice Routine

1. Morning: Find 3 photos online, practice comparing for 1 minute
2. Afternoon: Focus on speculation language with news photos
3. Evening: Record yourself and check timing

Final Success Tips

1. Don't panic about the third photo - You don't have to mention it
2. Keep talking - Silence is your enemy
3. Signpost your answers - Make it clear you're addressing the questions
4. Use your hands - Gestures help fluency
5. Practice with a timer - 60 seconds should feel natural