B2 Speaking Phrases

(Photo comparison PART 2)

This part of the test comprises 2 tasks. First, you or your partner will have to compare two
pictures and answer one question in the process (1 minute). Second, you or your partner will be
asked a follow-up question after the comparison related to the topic in the pictures (30 seconds).
When you make the comparison, your partner will answer the other question and vice versa.

Starting your comparison

•Both of these pictures show…

•These two pictures show…
•The two situations in these pictures are…
•In both pictures/photos I can see...there is/there are...

Talking about similarities

•These two pictures/situations are similar because/in that…

•In both pictures we can see…
•One similarity between these two pictures/situations is that…
•Another similarity might be that…
•One thing that these two pictures/situations have in common is that…
•One thing that these two pictures share is that…
•The most obvious similarity is that…
•These two pictures share the fact that…
•Both pictures (…) in the same way.

Talking about differences

•One of the most obvious differences (between these two pictures) is that…
•Another difference is that…
•Something that makes these two pictures different is…
•What makes these two situations (so/completely) different is…
•While the first picture …, the second one…
•(In) The first picture…. However, (in) the second one…
•(In) The first picture… whereas (in) the second one…
•Although the first picture…., the second one…
•On the one hand, the first picture shows… . On the other hand, the second one…

Introducing the answer to the question

•As for + paraphrased question

•As to + paraphrased question
•In relation to the question,…
•In response to the question, I’d say that…
•As regards the question,…
•Regarding the question, I'd say that...
•With regard to + paraphrased question
(Discussion PART 3)
You get about 15 seconds to read the mind map given, then you have to discuss it with your partner
for 2 minutes. When the 2 minutes are over, the examiner will stop you and he will ask another
question. You discuss that question for 1 minute.

Personal point of view (To be used in part 2 “follow-up question” as well)

•In my experience…
•As far as I'm concerned…
•Speaking for myself…
•In my opinion…
•Personally, I think…
•I'd say that…
•I'd suggest that…
•I'd like to point out that…
•I believe that…
•What I mean is…

Agreeing with an opinion

•Of course.
•You're absolutely right.
•Yes, I agree.
•I think so too.
•That's a good point.
•Exactly.
•I don't think so either.
•So do I.
•I'd go along with that.
•That's true.
•Neither do I.
•I agree with you entirely.
•That's just what I was thinking.
•I couldn't agree more.

Disagreeing with an opinion

•That's different.
•I don't agree with you because...
•However…
•That's not entirely true.
•On the contrary…
•I'm sorry to disagree with you, but…
•Yes, but don't you think…
•I'm afraid I have to disagree.
•I'm not so sure about that.
•I must take issue with you on that.
•That's partly true, but...