Cue Card

Describe a photograph that you like

You should say:

• Where it was taken
• When it was taken
• Who took it
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Why do people take photos?
2. Do people prefer to use their phone or a camera to take photos nowadays?
3. Is it difficult for people to learn how to take a good photo?
4. How do people store their photos?

Sample Cue Card Answer

This photograph, taken by a friend of mine, is a hauntingly beautiful capture of a fleeting moment in time. It's a black and white portrait of a young girl, no more than ten years old, standing alone in the middle of a deserted street in Tokyo. The city's neon lights reflect off the wet pavement, casting an ethereal glow on her tiny frame. Her eyes are cast downward, lost in thought, as if she's contemplating the mysteries of the universe. The camera's shallow depth of field blurs the surrounding skyscrapers, making her the sole focus of the image.

What draws me to this photograph is the sense of melancholy that permeates it. The girl's introspection is palpable, and I find myself wondering what's going through her mind. Is she worried about something, or is she simply lost in the beauty of the city? The photographer's use of light and shadow adds to the enigmatic atmosphere, making me feel like I'm eavesdropping on a private moment.

The more I look at this photograph, the more I'm struck by its universality. This could be any city, any child, any moment in time. It's a reminder that, despite our differences, we're all connected by our shared human experiences. We've all felt lost, alone, and contemplative at some point in our lives. This photograph is a poignant reminder of that connection, and it's what makes it so powerful.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

fleeting moment

a brief, transitory moment in time

The firefly's glow was a fleeting moment of beauty in the darkness.

The photographer captured a fleeting moment of joy on the child's face.

shallow depth of field

a photographic technique that blurs the background, focusing attention on the subject

The photographer used a shallow depth of field to emphasize the subject's face.

The shallow depth of field in this photo makes the background a soft, creamy blur.

enigmatic atmosphere

an air of mystery or intrigue

The old mansion had an enigmatic atmosphere, as if it held secrets and stories within its walls.

The artist's use of shadows and light created an enigmatic atmosphere in the painting.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Why do people take photos? I think people take photos because they want to capture a moment in time and preserve it forever. You see, when we take a photo, we're not just capturing a visual representation of what's in front of us, we're also capturing the emotions and feelings associated with that moment. For instance, when I look at a photo of my family's vacation to the beach, I'm not just seeing a picture of us standing in front of a sunset, I'm remembering the feeling of the sand between my toes, the sound of the waves crashing, and the smell of the salty air. Photos have this incredible ability to transport us back to a specific moment in time, and that's why people take them.

Do people prefer to use their phone or a camera to take photos nowadays? In today's world, I think people prefer to use their phones to take photos because of the convenience and accessibility. With a phone, you always have a camera with you, and it's so easy to whip it out and snap a quick photo whenever something catches your eye. Plus, phone cameras have gotten so advanced that they can produce high-quality photos that are comparable to those taken with a traditional camera. I mean, think about it, with a phone, you can take a photo, edit it, and share it with your friends and family all in a matter of seconds. It's just so much easier and more convenient than carrying around a separate camera.

Is it difficult for people to learn how to take a good photo? I don't think it's necessarily difficult for people to learn how to take a good photo, but it does take some practice and patience. I mean, anyone can point a camera and take a photo, but taking a good photo requires a bit more thought and consideration. You need to think about things like lighting, composition, and focus. But, with a little bit of practice and experimentation, anyone can learn how to take great photos. And, with the technology available today, even if you don't know much about photography, you can still take amazing photos. For example, many phones have automatic settings that can help you get the perfect shot, and there are also many online tutorials and resources available to help you learn the basics of photography.

How do people store their photos? I think people store their photos in a variety of ways, but most commonly, they store them digitally. With the rise of cloud storage and social media, it's become so easy to upload and store your photos online, and access them from anywhere. For example, many people use services like Google Photos or iCloud to store their photos, and then share them with friends and family on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Some people also store their photos on external hard drives or USB drives, but I think digital storage is definitely the most popular method. It's just so convenient and easy to access your photos from anywhere, and you don't have to worry about losing or damaging physical copies.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

capture a moment in time

to record or preserve a moment or experience so that it can be remembered or relived later

I took a photo of the sunset to capture the moment in time.

The photographer's goal is to capture a moment in time that tells a story.