IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Topic: Describe an interesting photo that you have taken

Topic: Describe an interesting photo that you have taken

– What are the occasions when people take photographs?

– Why do people like to take a photo when they are traveling?

– Do you think photographs really make people remember past events in their lives?

– What is the value of photographs

Honestly speaking, I have taken like thousands of photos for various occasions, which allows me to treasure every moment with my extended family and friends. However, if I have to opt for one photo that is really impressive and interesting, I suppose I would name one of my siblings and me. Despite being not that photogenic, this is, in fact, one of the few photos that I really adore the way I look. Now moving to the part of when it was taken, I have to say that I am not quite sure about the exact date, but it was quite some time ago. As far as I remember, we were in the campus yard, striking a pose to celebrate my sister’s graduation. Regarding the part of who took this photo, I guess that my brother was the one who was behind the camera. This is chiefly because he is a brilliant photographer and got great eyes for it. Most importantly my brother has all the right gears needed for a fabulous picture. To say the truth, this photo does have great meaning for me since it provokes the beautiful and funny moment with my flesh and blood. It also reminds me not to take anything for granted, especially when it comes to the matter of spending time with your family.

QUESTIONS FOR PART 3

1. What are the occasions when people take photographs?

I think people take photographs to remember important occasions. Examples can be a ceremony or an anniversary, like graduation day or wedding anniversary. Other people may want to take photos of the places they have visited. Or, you know, just simply a birthday party. Basically, I believe there are a lot of occasions for taking photographs.

2. Why do people like to take many photos when they are traveling? To keep the memories, I guess. Like when I had my first chance to visit Korea, I took tons of photos because I really loved it there and I wanted to have something reminding me of that time. Also because I didn’t know when I would be able to return to Korea, I took photos so that I wouldn’t regret having anything as a memory of Korea.

3. Do you think photographs can really help people remember past events in their lives?

Most of the time, yes. A photograph carries a memory in itself, but people can be reminded of their past through photographs only when the event represented in the photo carries some meaning to those people. For example, you would be able to remember the day you bought your first car forever by looking at a photo of it, but you would be unlikely to remember it just by looking at a random photo of a car on the internet.

4. What is the value/importance of photographs?

Photographs are used to mark the milestones of one’s life or to keep memories. Most people will take pictures of life-changing events, like when you have a new job or when you marry someone you love. These photos later stay as a token of those events, which you can take out and look at when you have time, or show to your friends and family members which makes me believe that photographs can also connect people too, as when one looks at a photo, one also remembers the people standing next to them, not just the event.

5. Do you think it’s good to take photos?

I think it depends on the situation when the photos are taken. I remember seeing a photo of a girl taking a selfie while sitting on a tomb, which in this case only shows her ignorance and disrespect to whoever had passed away. But taking photos at weddings, at birthday parties, though, is completely normal and is to be encouraged. So to sum up, photos should only be taken on the right occasion.

6. Do you think photographs are more important for adults or for children?

The importance of photographs doesn’t depend on a person’s age, I believe. It’s as important to a kid to keep a memory through photos as to an adult, and I haven’t seen any cases of people prioritizing adults or kids when it comes to taking pictures.

7. Why do you think it is important to take photos (or videos) of one’s family?

Because it shows the family’s bond. Isn’t it nice looking at a photograph of all the family members smiling happily? You may feel content and connected to your flesh and blood when you look at the family photo. Also, you know, to some families, taking photos is a tradition established over time and one just needs to take part / to participate. I guess family photos are that important.

VOCABULARY

 Come up in one’s mind [expression] appear in one’s mind

e.g. That person came up in my mind after I looked at this picture.

 Milestone [noun] a significant stage or event in the development of something

e.g. Here are important milestones on the road leading up to the current situation.

 Token [noun] a thing serving as a visible or tangible representation of a fact, quality, feeling, etc.

e.g. I wanted to offer you a small token of my appreciation.

 Take a selfie [expression] take a photograph of oneself

e.g. I saw her taking a selfie in the restroom.

 Ignorance [noun] lack of knowledge or information

e.g. There are vast tracts of ignorance in my knowledge and really there are lots of other people who know more than me.

 Pass away [phrasal verb] die (used in formal circumstances)

e.g. My grandfather just passed away yesterday.

 Prioritize [verb] determine the order for dealing with (a series of items or tasks) according to their relative importance

e.g. These different roles must be prioritized in their order of importance in your life.

 When it comes to (khi nhắc đến) [expression] regarding

e.g. I always hate it when it comes to dealing with selfish people.

 Content [adjective] in a state of peaceful happiness; satisfied

e.g. She thought of how content and peaceful she felt being with Yu Min.

 One’s (own) flesh and blood [idiom] A near relative or one’s close family

e.g. He felt as much for that girl as if she had been his own flesh and blood.