Module code: 2098
↑×📐 Positional language (foreground, top left corner, in the distance…) is the same on every image lesson — see Where things are at the end.
What Can You See?
Look at the photograph. Two people are in a meeting. Study the key words below, then listen to the description. Work through each task — every task helps you with the next one.
📚 Key Vocabulary
Learn these words before you listen.
gesture — move your hands to show what you meanblazer — a smart jacket, often for workblouse — a woman's smart top or shirtclipboard — a flat board that holds papersdocument — an official or important papernotebook — a book with blank pages for writingmug — a large cup, often for hot drinkslaptop — a small computer you can carrybookshelf — a piece of furniture that holds booksglasses — two lenses in a frame, worn on the face to help you seepen — a small tool you use to writebanner — a large sign with words or pictures on it
🎧 Listen and read
Before: Look at the photograph and think about what you can see.
While listening: Listen and notice the objects on the table and the two people.
After: Think about what the two people are doing right now.
💡 Press play, then scroll back up to the photo. If the photo is off-screen, a copy floats at the bottom — tap it to enlarge.
×🎧 1 · Short description
📖 1 · Short description — read along
In this picture, two people are sitting at a wooden table in a modern office. The man on the left is wearing a dark blazer and glasses. He is holding a pen and gesturing with both hands because he is talking.
The woman on the right is wearing a dark green blouse. Right now, she is resting her chin on her hand and listening carefully. On the table, there is an open laptop, a white mug, and some documents on black clipboards.
🎧 2 · Full description
📖 2 · Full description — read along
In this picture, two people are sitting at a light-coloured wooden table in a modern office. At this moment, the man on the left is speaking.
He is wearing a dark navy blazer over a light blue shirt and he has black-framed glasses on his face. He is holding a pen in one hand and raising both hands to gesture as he talks. The woman on the right is listening attentively.
She has long dark hair and she is wearing a dark green blouse. Right now, she is leaning forward a little and resting her chin on her hand. She is looking directly at the man.
On the table between them, there are two black clipboards with printed documents, an open laptop, a white ceramic mug, and a closed dark notebook. Behind both people, there is an open bookshelf with leafy green plants on the shelves.
A large window is behind the man on the left, and through the window you can see a city outside. On the right side of the background, there is a white banner with text on it.
🎧 3 · The story behind the picture
📖 3 · The story behind the picture — read along
The two people are probably having a meeting. The man may be explaining a plan or talking about the documents on the table. Before this moment, they probably sat down together, opened the laptop, and looked at the papers.
The woman is listening carefully, so she may ask a question next. After the meeting, they will probably make a decision together about something important at work.
🧰 Your word bank
All the target words for this picture.
📚 Word bank
All the target words for this picture. Tap a word to hear it.
📝 Key Vocabulary Recap37 terms from this lesson
◆ gesture
A movement of your hand or arm to show what you mean.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: make a gesture, hand gesture, friendly gesture
Example: She made a gesture with her hand to show where to sit.
Usage notes: Can also be used as a verb: 'He gestured towards the door.' As a noun, often used with 'make'.
Often confused with: expression, sign, signal
◆ blazer
A smart jacket worn for work or formal events.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: wear a blazer, smart blazer, blue blazer
Example: He wore a dark blazer to the meeting.
Usage notes: Usually more formal than a regular jacket but less formal than a suit jacket. Often plain or striped.
Often confused with: jacket, suit, coat
◆ blouse
A shirt worn by women, usually made of thin, light fabric.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: wear a blouse, silk blouse, white blouse
Example: She wore a white blouse with her black trousers.
Usage notes: Typically worn by women. More formal than a T-shirt. Often made from silk, cotton, or chiffon.
Often confused with: shirt, top, blazer
◆ clipboard
A hard board with a clip at the top to hold papers while you write.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: hold a clipboard, carry a clipboard, write on a clipboard
Example: The woman held a clipboard and took notes during the meeting.
Usage notes: Often used by people who need to write while standing or moving, such as workers or students.
Often confused with: notebook, document, folder
◆ document
A piece of paper with important written information on it.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: sign a document, read a document, important document
Example: She looked at the document on the table before the meeting.
Usage notes: More formal than 'paper'. Often used for official or work-related writing. Different from 'notebook' — a document is usually a finished piece of writing, not a place to write new notes.
Often confused with: notebook, clipboard, form
◆ notebook
A small book with empty pages that you use for writing notes.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: write in a notebook, open a notebook, carry a notebook
Example: She wrote down the main points in her notebook.
Usage notes: Different from 'document' — a notebook is used for writing your own notes, not for finished or official writing. Also different from 'laptop', which is a computer.
Often confused with: document, clipboard, laptop
◆ mug
A large cup with a handle, used for hot drinks like tea or coffee.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: coffee mug, tea mug, hold a mug, drink from a mug
Example: There was a mug of coffee on the desk next to the laptop.
Usage notes: Bigger and taller than a regular cup. Usually has a handle. Often used at home or in an office.
Often confused with: cup, glass, bowl
◆ ceramic
Made from clay that is heated until it becomes hard.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: ceramic mug, ceramic pot, ceramic tiles
Example: The ceramic mug on the desk was blue and white.
Usage notes: Used to describe the material something is made from. Common with household objects like cups, bowls, and vases.
Often confused with: glass, plastic, metal
◆ laptop
A small computer you can carry and use on a table or on your knees.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: use a laptop, open a laptop, laptop screen, work on a laptop
Example: She opened her laptop and started the presentation.
Usage notes: Different from a desktop computer, which stays in one place. 'Laptop' and 'notebook computer' mean the same thing, but 'notebook' alone usually refers to a paper notebook.
Often confused with: notebook, tablet, computer
◆ bookshelf
A piece of furniture with flat shelves for keeping books.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: wooden bookshelf, full bookshelf, books on a bookshelf
Example: There was a tall bookshelf behind the two people with books and a globe on it.
Usage notes: Can refer to one shelf or a full unit with many shelves. 'Bookcase' means the same thing and is equally common.
Often confused with: bookcase, shelf, cabinet
◆ banner
A large piece of cloth or card with words or a picture on it, put on a wall.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: hang a banner, large banner, wall banner
Example: There was a bright banner on the wall behind them.
Usage notes: Usually large and meant to be seen from a distance. Used for events, offices, or decorations. Different from a 'sign', which is often smaller or made of harder material.
Often confused with: sign, poster, notice
◆ attentive
Watching and listening carefully to someone.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: attentive listener, look attentive, remain attentive
Example: The woman was attentive as her colleague explained the plan.
Usage notes: Often used to describe how someone looks or behaves during a conversation or lesson. The adverb form is 'attentively'.
Often confused with: focused, interested, engaged
◆ lean forward
To move the top part of your body towards someone or something.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: lean forward in your chair, lean forward to listen, lean forward slightly
Example: She began to lean forward to look at the document more closely.
Usage notes: Often shows interest or attention in body language. The opposite is 'lean back', which can suggest relaxation or distance.
Often confused with: lean back, bend over, reach forward
◆ rest
To place a part of your body on something so it is supported.
General meaning: To stop working or moving in order to relax.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: rest your arm on, rest your elbow on, rest your hand on
Example: He placed his elbow on the table and let his chin rest on his hand.
Usage notes: In this context, used for body position — placing part of the body on a surface. This is different from the more common meaning of 'rest' as in relaxing or sleeping.
Often confused with: place, put, lean
◆ globe
A round model of the Earth, used for decoration or learning.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: desk globe, world globe, spinning globe
Example: There was a small globe on the bookshelf behind them.
Usage notes: In everyday use, often refers to the physical object (a model of the Earth). Can also mean 'the world' in a general sense, e.g. 'around the globe'.
Often confused with: map, ball, model
◆ potted plant
A plant growing in a pot or container, kept inside for decoration.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: small potted plant, green potted plant, place a potted plant
Example: There was a green potted plant in the corner of the room.
Usage notes: Always refers to a plant in a container, not planted in the ground. Common in homes and offices.
Often confused with: plant, flower, vase
◆ glasses
Two pieces of clear glass or plastic in a frame that you wear on your face to help you see.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: wear glasses, put on glasses, take off glasses, a pair of glasses
Example: The man was wearing glasses as he read the document.
Usage notes: Always used as a plural noun — you cannot say 'a glass' to mean this object. Use 'a pair of glasses' instead. Different from 'sunglasses', which block sunlight.
Often confused with: sunglasses, lens, contact lenses
◆ beard
Hair that grows on a man's chin and lower face.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: grow a beard, short beard, full beard, have a beard
Example: The man in the photo had a short dark beard.
Usage notes: Refers specifically to facial hair on the chin and jaw. 'Moustache' refers only to hair above the lip. A man with a beard can be described as 'bearded'.
Often confused with: moustache, stubble, sideburns
◆ bracelet
A band or chain you wear around your wrist as decoration.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: wear a bracelet, gold bracelet, silver bracelet
Example: She was wearing a silver bracelet on her wrist.
Usage notes: Worn around the wrist. Different from a 'necklace' (worn around the neck) or a 'ring' (worn on a finger).
Often confused with: necklace, ring, watch
◆ stud earring
A very small earring that sits flat on the ear and does not hang down.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: wear a stud earring, small stud earring, gold stud earring, silver stud earring
Example: She wore a small gold stud earring on each ear.
Usage notes: Usually refers to a single piece of jewellery; the plural is used when referring to a pair. Common materials mentioned include gold, silver, and pearl.
Often confused with: hoop earring, drop earring, earring
◆ animated
Very lively and full of energy when talking or moving.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: animated conversation, animated discussion, look animated, seem animated
Example: The two friends had an animated conversation about their plans.
Usage notes: Used to describe people or their behaviour; also has a separate meaning relating to cartoons and films made with moving drawings, but in this content it describes a person's manner of speaking.
Often confused with: lively, excited, enthusiastic
◆ cityscape
A view or picture of a city, especially its buildings.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: urban cityscape, cityscape poster, cityscape print, cityscape image
Example: A large cityscape poster hung on the wall behind them.
Usage notes: Often used in art, photography, and interior design. Refers to the visual appearance of a city, not a specific building.
Often confused with: landscape, skyline, panorama
◆ motivational
Made to encourage people and make them want to do better.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: motivational poster, motivational quote, motivational speaker, motivational message
Example: There was a motivational poster on the wall with an inspiring message.
Usage notes: Often used with words like 'poster', 'quote', or 'speaker'. Relates to the purpose of something — to inspire or encourage action.
Often confused with: inspirational, encouraging, positive
◆ meeting
A time when two or more people come together to talk, often for work.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: have a meeting, attend a meeting, business meeting, team meeting, informal meeting
Example: The two colleagues were having a meeting in the open-plan office.
Usage notes: Can refer to a formal or informal gathering. In this content, used to describe two people talking in a workplace setting. Do not confuse with the verb form 'to meet'.
Often confused with: chat, discussion, conference
◆ pen
A small tool you hold in your hand and use to write with ink.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: hold a pen, ballpoint pen, click a pen, use a pen
Example: She held a pen in her hand during the meeting.
Usage notes: A very common everyday object. In this content, it appears as something one of the people is holding. Differs from a pencil, which uses graphite and can be erased.
Often confused with: pencil, marker, stylus
◆ collared
Used to describe a piece of clothing that has a collar around the neck area.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: collared shirt, collared top, collared jacket
Example: He was wearing a neatly pressed collared shirt.
Usage notes: Used before a noun to describe the type of garment. Most often heard with 'shirt'. A collar is the folded or upright band of fabric around the neck of a garment.
Often confused with: tailored, buttoned, lapel
◆ tailored
Describing clothing that is cut to fit the body neatly and look smart.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: tailored jacket, tailored suit, tailored trousers, well-tailored
Example: She wore a tailored jacket that gave her a professional look.
Usage notes: Often used to describe smart, office-style clothing. Suggests quality and careful cutting to fit the body. Similar to 'fitted' but implies a more formal or professional style.
Often confused with: collared, fitted, formal
◆ rectangular
Having a shape with four straight sides and four square corners, longer than it is wide.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: rectangular table, rectangular frame, rectangular screen, rectangular shape
Example: They were sitting at a rectangular table during their meeting.
Usage notes: Used to describe the shape of objects. A square is a special type of rectangle where all four sides are equal, so 'rectangular' usually implies the sides are not all the same length.
Often confused with: square, oval, circular
◆ upholstered
Covered with soft, padded fabric, used to describe chairs or sofas.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: upholstered chair, upholstered sofa, upholstered seat, upholstered in fabric
Example: They sat in upholstered chairs that looked comfortable and modern.
Usage notes: Describes furniture, not clothing. The noun form is 'upholstery'. Commonly used when describing office or living room furniture.
Often confused with: padded, cushioned, fabric
◆ prop up
To support something and stop it from falling, using your hand or another object.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: prop up your chin, prop up a book, prop up against a wall
Example: She used her hand to prop up her chin while she listened.
Usage notes: The object can go between the two parts: 'prop something up' or after both parts: 'prop up something'. Often used to describe a physical resting position, such as resting the chin on a hand.
Often confused with: hold up, lean against, support
◆ open-plan
Describing a large room or space with no walls dividing it into smaller rooms.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: open-plan office, open-plan kitchen, open-plan layout, open-plan space
Example: The two colleagues were chatting in a bright open-plan office.
Usage notes: Most commonly used with 'office' or 'kitchen'. Usually written with a hyphen before a noun. Describes the layout of a space, not its size.
Often confused with: spacious, shared, communal
◆ diffuse
Spread evenly and softly over a wide area, not bright or sharp in one spot.
Register: technical
Common collocations: diffuse light, diffuse lighting, diffuse glow, soft diffuse light
Example: The room was lit by diffuse light coming through large windows.
Usage notes: In this content, used specifically to describe lighting. Also exists as a verb meaning to spread out, but here it is used as an adjective. Common in photography and interior design contexts.
Often confused with: soft, dim, scattered
◆ asymmetrical
Not the same on both sides; one side looks different from the other.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: asymmetrical composition, asymmetrical layout, asymmetrical design
Example: The photo had an asymmetrical composition, with one person closer to the centre.
Usage notes: The opposite is 'symmetrical', where both sides are equal. Often used in art, photography, and design to describe how elements are arranged.
Often confused with: symmetrical, uneven, diagonal
◆ lapel
The folded flap of fabric on the front of a jacket, just below the collar.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: jacket lapel, wide lapel, narrow lapel, pin on the lapel
Example: His smart jacket had wide lapels that gave it a classic style.
Usage notes: Usually used in the plural when referring to both sides of a jacket. Found on suits, blazers, and formal coats. Not used for shirts or casual tops.
Often confused with: collar, cuff, hem
◆ engage
To give your attention to something or someone and become involved with them.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: engage with someone, engage in conversation, engage with the topic, fully engaged
Example: The two people were fully engaged in their conversation.
Usage notes: Often followed by 'with' or 'in'. Can describe both physical attention and emotional interest. The adjective 'engaged' means actively involved or interested.
Often confused with: involve, participate, interact
◆ glazed
Covered with a hard, shiny surface, used to describe pottery or ceramic objects.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: glazed pot, glazed ceramic, glazed finish, glazed surface
Example: A glazed ceramic pot sat on the shelf in the background.
Usage notes: In this content, used to describe the finish on ceramic or pottery items in the scene. Also used in cooking to describe a shiny coating on food, but that meaning does not apply here.
Often confused with: polished, shiny, ceramic
◆ depth of field
In photography, how much of a scene looks clear and sharp from front to back.
Register: technical
Common collocations: shallow depth of field, wide depth of field, depth of field effect, control depth of field
Example: The photo used a shallow depth of field to keep the background blurry.
Usage notes: A technical photography term. 'Shallow depth of field' means only a small area is in focus; 'wide depth of field' means most of the scene is sharp. Learners may see this in photography or image description contexts.
Often confused with: focus, blur, composition
✍️ First look
Write what you can see in the photograph now. Use your own words and do not worry about mistakes. You will look at this again at the end.
Task 1 · First LookVocabulary
Look at the picture. In no more than 40 words, describe what you can see.
Language focus: general description
0 words / ~40 target
1Naming objects→ Task 2
Step 1 · Naming objects
📚 Vocabulary
To do this task, you need the names of eight objects. Some objects are on the table. Some are worn by the people. Look at the shape and colour to help you remember the word. A laptop is a thin computer. A clipboard is a flat board with documents on it. A blazer is a smart jacket. Use one word or a short phrase for each object. Open the ‘Objects’ list to see all the words and short phrases you need.
object name · colour + object name
- laptop — a silver-grey, open laptop on the table
- clipboard — two black clipboards with documents on the table
- blazer — a dark navy blazer worn by the man
⚠️ Watch out: a clipboard documents → a clipboard with documents — use 'with' to connect the object and what it holds
🧰 Open 'Objects' to see the full list of object names and short phrases.
→ Now write your list of eight objects from the picture.
🔎 What you can see
| Object | Where | Describing words |
|---|---|---|
| man | left of centre, seated at the table | dark-haired, bearded, glasses-wearing |
| woman | right of centre, seated at the table | long dark hair, dark green blouse, attentive posture |
| wooden table | centre foreground, running horizontally across the lower portion of the frame | light-toned, smooth surface, rectangular |
| laptop | on the table, in front of the man on the left | silver-grey, open lid, thin |
| clipboard ×2 | on the table, one in front of the man, one in front of the woman | black, flat, with documents attached |
| document ×2 | clipped to clipboards on the table surface | white, printed, A4-sized |
| notebook | on the table, to the right side, near the woman | dark-coloured, closed, hardcover |
| mug | on the table, left foreground, near the laptop | white, ceramic, printed text |
| pen | held in the man's right hand | dark-coloured, slim |
| glasses | on the man's face | black frames, rectangular lenses |
| blazer | worn by the man | dark navy, tailored, lapelled |
| shirt | worn by the man, visible beneath the blazer | light blue, collared, button-up |
Showing the 12 most important of 22 objects.
Task 2 · Name the ObjectsVocabulary
Look at the objects on and around the table. Write the names of eight things you can see. Write a list — one word or short phrase for each thing.
Language focus: object nouns
0 items
2Describing colour and material→ Task 3
Step 2 · Describing colour and material
🔧 Grammar — adjective + noun; be + adjective; made of
To do this task, you need colour words and material words. A colour word says what colour something is. A material word says what it is made of. Use this pattern: The [object] is [colour] and it is made of [material]. Some things look smooth or shiny — you can add that too. Open ‘Materials’ and ‘Colours’ for more words to help you.
The [object] is [colour] and it is made of [material].
- The mug is white and it is made of ceramic.
- The laptop is silver-grey and it is made of aluminium.
- The man's blazer is dark navy and it is made of fabric.
⚠️ Watch out: The mug is made of white. → The mug is white and it is made of ceramic. — colour goes with 'is', not with 'made of'
🧰 Open 'Materials' and 'Colours' to find more colour and material words.
→ Now write your five sentences about colour and material.
🧱 Colours and materials
Ready-made phrases
smooth light-wood tabledark navy tailored blazerlight blue collared shirtdark green long-sleeved blouseblack rectangular glasses framesslim silver-grey laptopflat black clipboardwhite ceramic mugdark hardcover notebookdark metal-framed open bookshelfwhite printed office bannerleafy green potted plantsdark grey upholstered office chair
🎨 Language palette
Two people are seated face-to-face at a table in a modern office, one speaking with animated hand gestures while the other listens attentively with chin resting on hand.
The things you must name
conversationtablegesturedocumentlaptopfigures
Useful supporting words
clipboardmugnotebookpenblazerblouseglassesbookshelfbannerchair
Describing words — Colour
dark navydark greenlight bluewhitesilver-greyblackhoney-brownleafy green
Describing words — Size and shape
slimrectangularopenflatlargethin
Describing words — Texture and material
smoothglazedupholsteredprintedhardcovertailored
Saying where things are
to the left of the womanin front of the manbetween the two figuresbehind both figureson the table surface
What things are doing
gesturesholdsrestsleanssitsfacesraisesopenspropsturns
Words that go together
dark navy blazerblack-framed glassesopen laptopwhite ceramic mugprinted documentblack clipboarddark green blouseleafy potted plantmotivational bannerraised handsresting chinlight wood tableblurred cityscapeopen bookshelf
Task 3 · Colours and ThingsVocabulary
Look at the objects and clothes in the picture. Write five sentences. For each sentence, say what colour the object or clothing is and what it is made of or what it looks like. Use this pattern: The [object] is [colour] and it is made of [material] / it looks [adjective].
Example: The table is light brown and it is made of wood.
Example: The table is light brown and it is made of wood.
- the mug
- the laptop
- the man's blazer
- the woman's blouse
- the notebook
Language focus: colour and material adjectives
0 words / ~50 target
3Saying where things are→ Task 4
Step 3 · Saying where things are
🔧 Grammar — there is / there are
To do this task, you need ‘there is’ and ‘there are’ and a place word. Use ‘there is’ for one thing and ‘there are’ for two or more things. Then add a place word: on, beside, behind, between, or in front of. This tells the reader exactly where the object is. Open ‘Where things are’ and ‘Objects’ for place phrases and object names.
There is + a/an + singular noun + place phrase · There are + plural noun + place phrase
- There is an open laptop in front of the man on the table.
- There are two black clipboards on the table between the two people.
- There is a closed notebook beside the clipboard, near the woman.
⚠️ Watch out: There are a laptop on the table. → There is a laptop on the table. — use 'there is' for one object, 'there are' for two or more
🧰 Open 'Where things are' for more place phrases and 'Objects' for object names.
→ Now write your five sentences about where things are in the picture.
📍 Where things are
- The man is seated to the left of the woman at the same table.
- The laptop sits in front of the man on the table surface.
- The white mug sits beside the laptop, toward the left foreground.
- A clipboard with documents lies between the man and the woman on the table.
- The closed notebook is positioned to the right of the second clipboard, near the woman's side.
- The pen is held in the man's right hand as he gestures.
- The man's hands are raised above the table surface in a gesturing position.
- The woman's chin rests on her hand, which is propped up at the table.
- The bookshelf stands behind both figures in the middle ground.
- Several potted plants are placed on the shelves of the bookshelf.
- The decorative globe sits on one of the lower shelves of the bookshelf.
- The printed banner is partially visible to the right of the bookshelf in the background.
- A large window is positioned behind the man, letting in natural light from the left.
- A blurred cityscape is visible beyond the window in the upper left.
- The black-framed glasses rest on the man's face.
- A small stud earring is visible on the woman's near ear.
- The wooden table runs in front of both seated figures across the lower portion of the frame.
- An additional potted plant is visible in the far left background, near the window.
🔎 What you can see
| Object | Where | Describing words |
|---|---|---|
| man | left of centre, seated at the table | dark-haired, bearded, glasses-wearing |
| woman | right of centre, seated at the table | long dark hair, dark green blouse, attentive posture |
| wooden table | centre foreground, running horizontally across the lower portion of the frame | light-toned, smooth surface, rectangular |
| laptop | on the table, in front of the man on the left | silver-grey, open lid, thin |
| clipboard ×2 | on the table, one in front of the man, one in front of the woman | black, flat, with documents attached |
| document ×2 | clipped to clipboards on the table surface | white, printed, A4-sized |
| notebook | on the table, to the right side, near the woman | dark-coloured, closed, hardcover |
| mug | on the table, left foreground, near the laptop | white, ceramic, printed text |
| pen | held in the man's right hand | dark-coloured, slim |
| glasses | on the man's face | black frames, rectangular lenses |
| blazer | worn by the man | dark navy, tailored, lapelled |
| shirt | worn by the man, visible beneath the blazer | light blue, collared, button-up |
Showing the 12 most important of 22 objects.
Task 4 · Where Is Everything?Grammar
Look at the objects in the picture. Write five sentences. Say where things are. Use 'there is' or 'there are' and a preposition of place in every sentence.
These prepositions can help you: on, in front of, beside, behind, between.
Example: There is a white mug beside the laptop.
These prepositions can help you: on, in front of, beside, behind, between.
Example: There is a white mug beside the laptop.
- laptop
- clipboards
- notebook
- bookshelf
- potted plants
Language focus: there is / there are + prepositions of place
0 words / ~50 target
4Describing actions right now→ Task 5
Step 4 · Describing actions right now
🔧 Grammar — present continuous
To do this task, you need the present continuous. Use this tense for actions happening right now, in the picture. The form is: is + verb-ing. The man is doing something. The woman is doing something. Use the sentence frames to help you. Look at the hands, the body, and the face of each person to find the actions.
Subject + is + verb-ing
- The man is holding a pen and gesturing with both hands.
- The woman is leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand.
- The man is sitting at the table and speaking to the woman.
⚠️ Watch out: The man is gesture with his hands. → The man is gesturing with his hands. — after 'is' you need verb + -ing, not the base verb
🧰 Open 'People' to find action verbs and body language phrases for this picture.
→ Now write your four present continuous sentences about the two people.
🧍 Who is doing what
- The man is seated at the table, holding a pen and gesturing with both hands while speaking toward the woman on his right.
- The woman is seated at the table with her chin resting on her hand, her body turned toward the man as he speaks.
Task 5 · What Are They Doing?Grammar
Look at the two people in the picture. Write four sentences about what they are doing right now. Use the present continuous tense.
The present continuous is: is/are + verb-ing.
Example: The man is holding a pen.
The present continuous is: is/are + verb-ing.
Example: The man is holding a pen.
- The man is ...
- He is also ...
- The woman is ...
- She is also ...
Language focus: present continuous for actions happening now
0 words / ~45 target
🏁 Put it all together
You practised object names, colour and material words, ‘there is / there are’ with place words, and the present continuous. Now write a full description of the picture. Use everything you practised.
- ☐ Name the objects precisely — use words like laptop, clipboard, notebook, mug, pen, glasses, blazer, blouse, bookshelf, potted plant
- ☐ Describe colours and materials — use phrases like dark navy, white ceramic, silver-grey aluminium
- ☐ Say where things are — use there is / there are and words like on, beside, behind, between
- ☐ Describe what the people are doing — use is + verb-ing for actions happening now
Task 6 · Full DescriptionVocabulary
Now describe the picture again. Write 80–120 words. Use the words, the colour phrases, the 'there is / there are' sentences, and the present continuous sentences you practised in the tasks above. Try to write a full and clear description.
Language focus: object nouns, colour and material adjectives, there is/are + prepositions, present continuous
0 words / ~100 target
💬 Discussion
• Do you use a laptop or a notebook in your work or studies?
• When you are in a meeting, do you gesture a lot or do you sit quietly?
• What do you usually have on your desk — a mug, a pen, documents?
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Explore Membership Benefits📐 Where things are — positional language for images
📝 Key Vocabulary Recap25 terms from this lesson
◆ the top
The highest part of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: at the top, the top of the image, the top of the frame, along the top
Example: There are clouds at the top of the painting.
Usage notes: Always used with 'at' or 'along' when describing position: 'at the top of the picture.' Not used with 'in' in this context.
Often confused with: the upper half, the top left corner, the top right corner, the foreground
◆ the bottom
The lowest part of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: at the bottom, the bottom of the image, the bottom of the frame, along the bottom
Example: You can see a river at the bottom of the photograph.
Usage notes: Always used with 'at' or 'along' when describing position: 'at the bottom of the picture.' Similar to 'the lower half' but refers to the edge area, not fifty percent of the image.
Often confused with: the lower half, the bottom left corner, the bottom right corner, the foreground
◆ the left
The left side of an image, as the viewer sees it.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: on the left, to the left, on the left side, on the left of the image
Example: There is a tree on the left of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'to' for position: 'on the left', 'to the left of the subject.' The viewer's left, not the subject's left — important when describing portraits.
Often confused with: the left half, the top left corner, the bottom left corner, the right
◆ the right
The right side of an image, as the viewer sees it.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: on the right, to the right, on the right side, on the right of the image
Example: A woman is standing on the right of the photo.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'to' for position: 'on the right', 'to the right of the subject.' Always the viewer's right, not the subject's.
Often confused with: the right half, the top right corner, the bottom right corner, the left
◆ the centre
The middle area of an image, with equal space around it on all sides.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the centre, at the centre, in the centre of the image, dead centre, off-centre
Example: The main subject is placed in the centre of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the centre of the picture.' British spelling is 'centre'; American spelling is 'center.' Related terms 'dead centre' (exactly in the middle) and 'off-centre' (not quite in the middle) are built from this word.
Often confused with: dead centre, off-centre, the middle ground, the frame
◆ the top left corner
The corner of an image where the top edge and the left edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the top left corner, at the top left corner, in the top left corner of the image
Example: There is a small bird in the top left corner of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the top left corner.' One of four corners of an image; the others are top right, bottom left, bottom right.
Often confused with: the top right corner, the bottom left corner, the top, the left
◆ the top right corner
The corner of an image where the top edge and the right edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the top right corner, at the top right corner, in the top right corner of the image
Example: The sun appears in the top right corner of the landscape.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the top right corner.' One of four corners of an image.
Often confused with: the top left corner, the bottom right corner, the top, the right
◆ the bottom left corner
The corner of an image where the bottom edge and the left edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the bottom left corner, at the bottom left corner, in the bottom left corner of the image
Example: The artist signed the painting in the bottom left corner.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the bottom left corner.' One of four corners of an image.
Often confused with: the bottom right corner, the top left corner, the bottom, the left
◆ the bottom right corner
The corner of an image where the bottom edge and the right edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the bottom right corner, at the bottom right corner, in the bottom right corner of the image
Example: A small boat is visible in the bottom right corner of the photo.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the bottom right corner.' One of four corners of an image.
Often confused with: the bottom left corner, the top right corner, the bottom, the right
◆ the edge of the frame
The very outer limit of a picture — the line where the image ends.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: at the edge of the frame, near the edge of the frame, cut off at the edge of the frame
Example: Part of the building is cut off at the edge of the frame.
Usage notes: Used with 'at' or 'near': 'at the edge of the frame.' Often used when an object is only partly visible because it reaches the boundary of the image. Similar to 'the frame' but more specific — it refers to the line itself, not the whole border area.
Often confused with: the frame, cropped, the foreground, the background
◆ the foreground
The part of an image that looks closest to you, at the front.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the foreground, in the immediate foreground, in the far foreground
Example: There are some large rocks in the foreground of the landscape photo.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the foreground.' Objects here appear large and clear. The opposite is 'the background.' Between these two is 'the middle ground.'
Often confused with: the background, the middle ground, the distance, the bottom
◆ the middle ground
The area between the front and back of an image — the middle layer of depth.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the middle ground, in the midground
Example: A group of people can be seen in the middle ground of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the middle ground.' This is one of three depth layers in an image: foreground (front), middle ground (middle), background (back). Less commonly used than the other two, but important for describing paintings and landscapes.
Often confused with: the foreground, the background, the centre, the distance
◆ the background
The part of an image that looks furthest away, at the back.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the background, in the far background, fade into the background, blurred background
Example: There are mountains in the background of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the background.' Objects here appear small and less clear. The opposite is 'the foreground.' Do not confuse with 'the distance' — the background is the rear area of the whole image; the distance refers specifically to the area that looks very far away.
Often confused with: the foreground, the middle ground, the distance, the horizon
◆ the distance
The area in an image that looks very far away from the viewer.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the distance, far in the distance, visible in the distance
Example: You can see a small village in the distance in the painting.
Usage notes: Always used with 'in': 'in the distance.' Similar to 'the background' but focuses on how far away something looks, not just where it sits in the image. Often used with the verb 'see' or 'make out': 'you can see X in the distance.'
Often confused with: the background, the horizon, the middle ground, the foreground
◆ the horizon
The line in an image where the land or sea appears to meet the sky.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: on the horizon, at the horizon, the horizon line, just above the horizon, below the horizon
Example: A ship is visible on the horizon in this seascape painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'at': 'on the horizon.' Most common in outdoor scenes — landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes. Closely related to 'the skyline', but they are different: the horizon is always a flat line between sky and earth or water; a skyline includes the shapes of buildings or hills seen against the sky.
Often confused with: the skyline, the background, the distance, the vanishing point
◆ the upper half
The top fifty percent of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the upper half, the upper half of the image, fills the upper half, dominates the upper half
Example: The sky fills the upper half of the landscape painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the upper half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the middle upwards. Similar to 'the top', but 'the top' refers to the area near the top edge, while this phrase refers to the entire upper section.
Often confused with: the top, the lower half, the background, the foreground
◆ the lower half
The bottom fifty percent of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the lower half, the lower half of the image, fills the lower half, dominates the lower half
Example: The water covers the lower half of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the lower half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the middle downwards. Similar to 'the bottom', but 'the bottom' refers to the area near the bottom edge, while this phrase refers to the entire lower section.
Often confused with: the bottom, the upper half, the foreground, the background
◆ the left half
The left fifty percent of an image, as seen by the viewer.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the left half, the left half of the image, fills the left half, dominates the left half
Example: The main figure takes up the left half of the portrait.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the left half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the centre to the left edge. More precise than 'the left', which refers to the general left area rather than exactly half.
Often confused with: the left, the right half, the top left corner, the bottom left corner
◆ the right half
The right fifty percent of an image, as seen by the viewer.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the right half, the right half of the image, fills the right half, dominates the right half
Example: The open doorway is in the right half of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the right half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the centre to the right edge. More precise than 'the right', which refers to the general right area rather than exactly half.
Often confused with: the right, the left half, the top right corner, the bottom right corner
◆ off-centre
Not in the middle of an image — placed to one side.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: slightly off-centre, positioned off-centre, placed off-centre
Example: The subject is slightly off-centre, which makes the photo more interesting.
Usage notes: Used as an adjective after a verb: 'the subject is off-centre.' The opposite is 'dead centre.' A small but important difference: 'off-centre' means not quite in the middle; 'dead centre' means exactly in the middle.
Often confused with: dead centre, the centre, the left, the right
◆ dead centre
Positioned exactly in the middle of an image, with equal space on all sides.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: placed dead centre, positioned dead centre, sits dead centre
Example: The tower is placed dead centre in this photograph.
Usage notes: The word 'dead' here means 'exactly' or 'perfectly' — it makes the meaning stronger. Used as an adverb-adjective pair after a verb. The opposite is 'off-centre'. Do not confuse with 'the centre', which is a noun naming the middle area; this phrase describes being perfectly positioned there.
Often confused with: off-centre, the centre, the middle ground, the frame
◆ cropped
Describes an image that has had its edges cut to show only part of the original.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: tightly cropped, heavily cropped, closely cropped, cropped image, cropped photo
Example: The figure on the right is cropped — you can only see half of her body.
Usage notes: Used as an adjective: 'the image is cropped', or 'a cropped photo.' It can also be used as a verb: 'the photographer cropped the image.' Often used when part of a subject is cut off at the edge of the frame.
Often confused with: the edge of the frame, the frame, off-centre, the foreground
◆ the vanishing point
The point in an image where lines that are parallel appear to meet, making the scene look deep and far away.
Register: technical
Common collocations: at the vanishing point, the vanishing point is on the horizon, converge at the vanishing point, single vanishing point
Example: The road in the painting leads the eye to the vanishing point in the distance.
Usage notes: Used with 'at': 'at the vanishing point.' Common in art and photography discussions. Often found on or near the horizon line in outdoor scenes. A technical term from art and perspective drawing, but useful for describing paintings and photographs.
Often confused with: the horizon, the distance, the background, the centre
◆ the skyline
The shape made by buildings, hills, or trees seen against the sky in an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: the city skyline, a dramatic skyline, on the skyline, silhouetted against the skyline, the skyline of
Example: The city skyline is visible in the background of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'against': 'on the skyline', 'against the skyline.' Similar to 'the horizon' but different in an important way — the horizon is a flat line between sky and earth or water; a skyline has a jagged or uneven outline created by buildings, trees, or hills. A skyline can only exist where there are objects rising above the ground level.
Often confused with: the horizon, the background, the distance, the upper half
◆ the frame
The total area of an image — everything that is visible in the picture.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: within the frame, fill the frame, inside the frame, outside the frame, enter the frame, leave the frame
Example: The tree fills almost the entire frame of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'within', 'inside', or 'fill': 'within the frame', 'fill the frame.' Similar to 'the edge of the frame' but different — 'the frame' refers to the whole visible area of the image, while 'the edge of the frame' refers specifically to the outer boundary line where the image ends.
Often confused with: the edge of the frame, cropped, the foreground, the centre