FCE Speaking Part 2 pictures: 14 photo tasks to practise
These are 14 original FCE Speaking Part 2 picture tasks, each described in words: Photo A, Photo B, the question you answer and the follow-up question for your partner. Picture each scene, then compare the two photos for one minute. For the full method, read Speaking Part 2 in our B2 First Speaking guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
How to practise with these tasks
- Read the descriptions of Photo A and Photo B and picture both scenes clearly.
- Read the question. In the exam it is printed above the photos.
- Start a one-minute timer and speak: compare the photos, speculate, and answer the question for both.
- Then answer the partner question in about 30 seconds, as if your partner had just spoken about these photos.
- Record yourself. Check that you compared rather than described, and that you answered the question.
With a study partner, take one task each and swap roles, exactly as in the exam. The phrases on our speaking phrases page will help you compare and speculate, and our partner practice guide shows how to fit this into a weekly routine.
Photo tasks 1–7
Each task: Photo A, Photo B, the question for the main speaker, and the question for the partner.
Task 1: Ways of travelling
- Photo A: commuters standing close together on a crowded underground train in the morning.
- Photo B: a man cycling along a quiet country road with a backpack.
- Your question: Why might the people have chosen to travel in these ways?
- Partner's question: Which way of travelling would you prefer for a daily journey? Why?
Task 2: Celebrations
- Photo A: a large family sitting around a long table at a birthday dinner at home.
- Photo B: a crowd of young people at an outdoor music festival at night.
- Your question: What might the people be enjoying about these celebrations?
- Partner's question: How do you usually like to celebrate special occasions?
Task 3: Learning
- Photo A: a teenager studying alone at a desk late at night with a laptop and headphones.
- Photo B: a group of adults in a cooking class, watching a chef demonstrate.
- Your question: Why might the people be learning in these different ways?
- Partner's question: Do you find it easier to learn alone or with other people?
Task 4: Difficult jobs
- Photo A: a nurse checking on a patient in a busy hospital ward.
- Photo B: a builder working on the roof of a tall building on a windy day.
- Your question: What might be difficult about doing these jobs?
- Partner's question: Which of these jobs would you find more stressful? Why?
Task 5: Shopping
- Photo A: an elderly woman chatting with a stallholder at an outdoor fruit and vegetable market.
- Photo B: a young man sitting on his sofa, ordering clothes on his phone.
- Your question: What are the advantages of shopping in these ways?
- Partner's question: Do you enjoy going shopping? Why, or why not?
Task 6: Keeping fit
- Photo A: a woman running alone along a beach at sunrise.
- Photo B: a group of friends playing basketball in a city park.
- Your question: Why might the people have chosen to exercise in these ways?
- Partner's question: Which of these would you be more likely to do? Why?
Task 7: Waiting
- Photo A: passengers sitting on the floor of an airport because their flight is delayed.
- Photo B: a young woman waiting nervously outside an office before a job interview.
- Your question: How might the people be feeling while they wait?
- Partner's question: What do you usually do to pass the time when you have to wait?
Photo tasks 8–14
Task 8: Working environments
- Photo A: a large open-plan office with dozens of people at computers.
- Photo B: a man working on a laptop at his kitchen table, with a small child playing nearby.
- Your question: What might the people like and dislike about working in these places?
- Partner's question: Would you prefer to work from home or in an office?
Task 9: Holidays
- Photo A: a family relaxing by the swimming pool of a large hotel.
- Photo B: two friends putting up a tent beside a lake in the mountains.
- Your question: Why might the people have chosen these kinds of holiday?
- Partner's question: Which of these holidays would you enjoy more?
Task 10: Helping others
- Photo A: teenagers collecting rubbish on a beach as volunteers.
- Photo B: a young man helping his grandfather use a tablet at home.
- Your question: How might the people benefit from helping in these ways?
- Partner's question: Have you ever done any voluntary work?
Task 11: Eating out
- Photo A: a couple having dinner by candlelight in an expensive restaurant.
- Photo B: office workers eating takeaway food on the steps of a city square at lunchtime.
- Your question: Why might the people have chosen to eat in these places?
- Partner's question: Where do you like to eat when you go out?
Task 12: Performing
- Photo A: a child playing the violin alone on stage at a school concert.
- Photo B: a street musician playing the guitar to a small crowd in a shopping street.
- Your question: How might the people be feeling as they perform?
- Partner's question: Would you like to perform in front of an audience?
Task 13: Weather
- Photo A: people with umbrellas hurrying through a city street in heavy rain.
- Photo B: children building a snowman in a garden.
- Your question: How might the weather be affecting the people's day?
- Partner's question: What is your favourite kind of weather?
Task 14: Moving home
- Photo A: a young woman carrying boxes into a small student flat.
- Photo B: an older couple packing up a large family house, looking at old photos.
- Your question: How might the people be feeling about moving?
- Partner's question: Would you like to move to a different town or city?
Sample one-minute answer: Task 1 (Ways of travelling)
Examiner: Why might the people have chosen to travel in these ways?
Both photos show people on their way somewhere, but the experiences look completely different. In the first one, the commuters are packed into an underground train, so it's probably rush hour, and they look a bit tired and fed up. In the second, the man is cycling on an empty country road, and he seems much more relaxed.
I imagine the people on the train have chosen it because it's the fastest way to get across a big city, and driving would be even worse with all the traffic. It might also be cheaper than taking a car. The cyclist, on the other hand, might be on holiday, or maybe he simply enjoys the exercise and the fresh air. He could be doing a long-distance trip, judging by the backpack.
Personally, I think the cyclist is having a better time, although cycling isn't really practical for everyone every day.
Why it works
- Opens with a comparison, not a description.
- Uses varied speculating language: 'it's probably', 'seems', 'I imagine', 'might', 'could be', 'judging by'.
- Answers the printed question for both photos.
- Ends with a brief personal view that is balanced with 'although'.
Sample one-minute answer: Task 7 (Waiting)
Examiner: How might the people be feeling while they wait?
These photos both show people who are waiting, but for very different reasons. In the first picture, a group of passengers are sitting on the floor at an airport, so I guess their flight has been delayed or even cancelled. The woman in the second photo is sitting alone outside an office, and she looks as if she's about to have a job interview.
The passengers are probably feeling frustrated and bored, especially if they've been there for hours. Some of them might be worried about missing a connection or getting home late. The woman, on the other hand, is likely to be nervous rather than bored. She's probably going over her answers in her head and hoping she makes a good impression. At the same time, she might feel a bit excited, because a new job could change her life.
I'd say her wait is more stressful, but it's also shorter.
Why it works
- Uses the passive and present perfect to speculate about the past ('has been delayed', 'they've been there for hours').
- Contrasts two kinds of feeling (frustrated vs nervous) instead of listing many adjectives.
- 'Look as if', 'be likely to' and 'I guess' add variety to speculation.
What to avoid when practising
Trap: Practising only the one-minute turn.
Fix: Always answer the partner question too. The 30-second response is part of your mark.
Trap: Using the same opening for every task.
Fix: Vary your first sentence: 'Both photos show…', 'These pictures have… in common, but…', 'The main difference between these photos is…'.
Trap: Only speculating with 'maybe'.
Fix: Mix modals (might, could, must), 'seem', 'look as if' and 'I imagine'.
Frequently asked questions
Are these the real FCE Speaking Part 2 pictures?
No. These are original tasks written by our teachers, described in words rather than shown as photos. They follow the same format as the exam: two contrasting situations and a question.
Can I use my own photos to practise?
Yes, and it is a great idea. Find two photos on the same theme that show different situations, write a 'Why might…' or 'How might…' question, and talk for one minute.
What kinds of topics do Part 2 photos show?
Everyday situations: travel, work, learning, sport, celebrations, shopping, holidays and so on. The two photos share a theme but show different places, people or feelings.
How do I compare two photos for a full minute?
Spend about ten seconds on a comparison, then most of the time on the question for both photos, and finish with a short personal view. With a timer and a little practice, a minute becomes easy to fill.
Should I talk about the photos in order?
You can, but comparing as you go ('in the first…, whereas in the second…') usually sounds better than talking about Photo A and then Photo B separately.