# Describe a photo of yourself that you like: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Events

Describe a photo of yourself that you like.

You should say:
- when and where the photo was taken
- who took it
- what you were doing in the photo
- and explain why you like this photo

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 6 sample

The photo I want to describe is from my graduation ceremony. It was taken about one year ago, when I finished my bachelor degree in business, and the ceremony was held in a big hall at our university.

My father took this photo with his phone. Actually he is not very good at taking photos, usually his pictures are blurry or he cuts people's head, but this time the photo came out really nice, so we were all surprised.

In the photo I am standing in front of the university main gate with my graduation gown and the black hat. I am holding my certificate in one hand and in another hand I have some flowers which my mother bought for me. I am smiling very big, and behind me you can see some of my classmates who are also taking photos with their family.

I like this photo for many reasons. First, it reminds me about the hard work I did for four years. There were many times when I wanted to give up, especially in my third year when I failed one subject and I need to take the exam again. So when I look at this photo, I feel proud of myself.

Second reason is my family. My parents are not from a rich background and they spent a lot of money for my education, so this day was very special for them also. After the photo we went to a restaurant to celebrate together.

Now I have printed this photo and put it in a frame in my bedroom. Every morning I see it and it gives me motivation to work hard in my job.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 6 answer is clear and complete, and the details about the father's usual "blurry" photos and the failed third-year exam make it personal. Organization is signaled with "First" and "Second reason", but these are mechanical. Errors are frequent though not confusing: "bachelor degree" should be "bachelor's degree", "in another hand" should be "in the other hand", "reminds me about" uses the wrong preposition, and "I need to take" slips out of the past. For Band 7, the speaker would need more flexible linking, some precise expressions such as "beaming", and better control of tenses.

## Band 7 sample

The photo I'd like to talk about was taken at my sister's wedding last spring. It's not a formal portrait or anything like that; in fact, I didn't even know it was being taken, which is probably why I like it so much.

The wedding was held in a garden on the outskirts of our town, and my sister had hired a professional photographer for the day. Most of the pictures he took were the usual posed shots, everyone lined up in their best clothes, but a few weeks later, when the album arrived, there was this one picture of me that I'd never seen before.

In it, I'm in the middle of giving my speech. I'm holding the microphone in one hand and a crumpled piece of paper in the other, and I'm laughing so hard that my eyes have almost disappeared. What had happened was that I'd lost my place in my notes, and my grandmother shouted out something from the front row that made the whole room burst out laughing, including me. The photographer managed to capture that exact moment, and you can see a few guests in the background wiping away tears.

The reason it means so much to me is that I'd been dreading that speech for weeks. I'm not a confident public speaker, and I'd convinced myself that I'd embarrass my sister in front of everyone. So the photo is a kind of reminder that things rarely go as badly as I expect, and that sometimes the unplanned moments turn out to be the best ones.

I've got it as the background on my laptop now, and it still makes me smile every time I switch it on.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer is engaging and clearly structured, built around a single funny moment. The speaker uses a good range of tenses accurately, including the passive progressive "it was being taken" and the past perfect continuous "I'd been dreading", and vocabulary like "posed shots" and "lost my place" is used naturally. The lesson drawn from the photo is sensible but fairly general. For Band 8, the speaker would need more precise and less common expressions throughout and a more nuanced reflection on why this moment matters, not just a neat moral at the end.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-photo-of-yourself).

## Part 3 follow-up questions

1. Why do people today take so many photos?
2. Are photos of special events more valuable than everyday photos?
3. Is it better to keep photos in printed albums or digitally?
4. Why do some people dislike having their photo taken?
5. Should people be allowed to post photos of others online without asking them first?

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.