Module 10 —Picture Story & Final Action Plan
Writing Part 7 picture story (35+ words) · Speaking Part 2 extended discussion · action plan
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Last productive-skills rehearsal before the Exit Test.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
A picture story has a beginning, a middle and an end. Which picture usually shows the problem or the exciting moment?
In a longer discussion, why is 'I agree' on its own not enough?
Name one exam skill you personally want to improve most before the Exit Test.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minTelling a story in the past with time linkers
Use the past simple with first, then, after that, suddenly and finally to order events clearly.
- 1A picture story is always told in the past, because it describes something that already happened across the three pictures.
- 2The clearest stories use simple time linkers to guide the reader through the sequence of events: first or one day to begin, then and after that to move the story forward, suddenly to introduce an unexpected problem, and finally or in the end to show how the story finishes.
- 3Keeping verbs consistently in the past simple (with past continuous for background action, if needed) avoids one of the most common mistakes in this task — switching accidentally into the present tense partway through.
- 4A story that follows the three pictures in order, using clear time linkers, is always easier for a reader to follow than one that jumps around.
One day, Marco decided to go fishing by the river.
Then, dark clouds suddenly appeared and it started to rain heavily.
In the end, he ran home laughing, completely soaked but happy about his day.
Question 1.Which tense is normally used to tell a picture story?
Question 2.Which linker usually introduces an unexpected problem?
Question 3.Which linker usually ends a story?
Question 4.'One day, Marco ____ to go fishing.' Best verb form:
Question 5.What is a common mistake in picture stories?
Quick check 1.How many words must a Writing Part 7 picture story be at least?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
the order in which things happen in a story
Why is the sequence of events important in a picture story?
in a way that surprises you, without warning
Describe something that happened unexpectedly to you recently.
to reach a final situation, often without planning it
Tell a partner about a time you ended up somewhere unusual.
a longer, more detailed spoken answer with reasons and examples
Why do examiners prefer an extended answer to a one-word answer?
to add more detail or explanation to a point
How can you develop an idea when you run out of things to say?
a short list of things you will do to improve
What's the first item on your own action plan?
something you are already good at
Name one strength you've noticed in your own English this course.
something you still need to practise more
Name one area to improve before your next test.
What to do
Match each word with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use each phrase to talk about your own storytelling and final preparation.
Ask your partner
- What's a story where something happened unexpectedly?
- Have you ever ended up somewhere you didn't plan to be?
- Why does the sequence of events matter in a story?
"One way I can develop an idea when speaking is…"develop an idea
Which is harder for you: writing a story or extending a spoken answer? Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words describing one strength and one area to improve as part of your action plan.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minSounding natural when extending a spoken answer
Pause briefly before adding more, using fillers like well or actually rather than going silent.
- • Well, I think it's because…
- • Actually, that reminds me of…
- • I think, for example, …
- • Also, on the other hand…
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading recycle — turning three pictures into one story
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Writing examiners often say that the biggest difference between a strong picture story and a weak one isn't vocabulary — it's structure. A weak answer describes each picture separately, almost like three unconnected sentences, while a strong answer tells one connected story that flows naturally from the first picture to the last.
The trick, according to writing trainers, is to imagine the three pictures as the beginning, middle and end of a short film. The first picture usually sets the scene: who the story is about and where they are. The second picture usually introduces a change, a problem or something surprising. The third picture shows how everything is resolved, often with a feeling — happiness, relief, surprise or disappointment.
Once a candidate sees the pictures this way, choosing time linkers becomes much easier. 'One day' or 'last weekend' opens the story, 'suddenly' or 'unexpectedly' introduces the middle picture's twist, and 'in the end' or 'finally' closes the story with the outcome. This simple three-part structure, more than any single grammar rule, is what turns three separate pictures into one clear, connected story.
Question 1.According to examiners, what makes the biggest difference between a strong and weak picture story?
Question 2.What does a weak answer often do with the three pictures?
Question 3.What does the second picture usually introduce?
Question 4.Which linker is suggested for opening a story?
Question 5.What is described as more important than any single grammar rule?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening recycle — planning a picture story together
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Mr Osei:Right, before you write, let's talk through the three pictures together.
Ana:OK, so picture one shows a girl packing a bag for a picnic.
Mr Osei:Good start. What happens in picture two?
Ana:It starts raining suddenly, and she's holding the bag over her head.
Mr Osei:And the third picture?
Ana:She's laughing under a shop doorway with a stranger who's sharing an umbrella.
Mr Osei:Nice — so how will you link these three ideas?
Ana:I'll start with 'one day', use 'suddenly' for the rain, and finish with 'in the end'.
Mr Osei:Exactly right. Remember to keep everything in the past simple too.
Ana:I will — I always forget and switch to the present halfway through!
Question 1.What is the girl doing in picture one?
Question 2.What happens suddenly in picture two?
Question 3.What is happening in picture three?
Question 4.Which linker will Ana use for the middle picture?
Question 5.What mistake does Ana say she often makes?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minWriting Part 7 picture story and Speaking Part 2 extended discussion
Story: beginning → sudden change → ending. Discussion: opinion + reason + example + question back.
Task
Write a 35+ word story connecting three pictures in the past simple, then take part in an extended Speaking Part 2 discussion that goes beyond a photo description into a longer conversation.
Example
Ana planned her story as beginning (packing for a picnic), middle (sudden rain), end (laughing under an umbrella) before writing, which made her 40-word story flow naturally.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Give one linker that usually introduces an unexpected event in a story.
Q2.How many words must a Writing Part 7 picture story be at least?
Write a story (35 words or more) based on three pictures: 1) a boy waiting at a bus stop, 2) the bus driving past without stopping, 3) the boy laughing as a friend arrives on a bicycle. Use the past simple and at least two time linkers.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
One day, Tom was waiting at the bus stop in the rain. Suddenly, the bus drove straight past without stopping! He felt really annoyed and worried he'd be late. In the end, his friend arrived on her bicycle and gave him a lift, and they both laughed about it all the way to school.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Speaking Part 2 extended discussion: describe your photograph for about a minute, then keep talking together for two more minutes about the wider topic below, extending every answer with a reason and example.
Examiner
"Now, talk together about whether it is better to spend free time outdoors or indoors."
Talk together about
Is it better to spend free time outdoors or indoors?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- The weather and the seasons
- Cost of activities
- Who you spend free time with
Round off the discussion
Together, agree on one outdoor activity and one indoor activity that suit most people your age.
Useful discussion language
What to do
Speaking Part 2 — describe your photograph for about one minute, then continue the discussion above for two to three more minutes with your partner.
Candidate A — A family picnic in the park
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see in the photo?
- • Where is the family?
- • What are they doing?
- • How do they look?
- • Do you enjoy having picnics outdoors?
Candidate B — Friends playing a board game indoors
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see in the photo?
- • Where are the friends?
- • What are they doing?
- • How do they look?
- • Do you prefer indoor or outdoor games?
Useful phrases
- • In the photo I can see…
- • They seem to be…
- • It looks as if…
- • In the background…
- • They look…
Show model 1-minute description
In this photo I can see a family sitting together on a blanket in a park, having a picnic. It looks like a warm, sunny day because they're all wearing light clothes and there's food spread out in front of them. They seem really relaxed and happy to be spending time together outdoors. I imagine this is probably a weekend get-together, maybe to celebrate something, because everyone looks so cheerful.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Extra activities if the group needs more storytelling and discussion practice before the Exit Test. ~30 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Write a second picture story (35+ words) using a different set of three pictures of your choice.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Record a two-minute extended discussion with a partner (or record both sides yourself) on a topic from this course.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Topic
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Complete your personal action plan for the Exit Test.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- We practised structuring a picture story as a clear beginning, middle and end using past-simple time linkers.
- We learned to extend a Speaking Part 2 discussion with opinion, reason, example and a question back.
- We read a passage about why structure matters more than vocabulary in picture stories.
- We wrote and checked a 35+ word picture story with consistent past-simple tenses.
- We built a personal action plan of strengths and areas to improve before the Exit Test.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameFuture plans and conditions
Practise this exam skill
Checking your writing
Practise this exam skill
Discussion and interaction
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