APTIS Describing and Comparing Pictures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When describing the location of objects in a picture, which phrase is most appropriate?
- In the background of the image... (Correct answer)
- The picture is wrong because...
- I cannot see anything.
- The colors are spelled incorrectly.
Correct answer: In the background of the image...
Spatial phrases like 'in the background' help structure a clear and organized picture description.
Question 2: A photo shows a woman pointing at a whiteboard in front of a group. What is the most likely context?
- A sports competition
- A classroom or training session (Correct answer)
- A supermarket checkout
- A hospital emergency room
Correct answer: A classroom or training session
A whiteboard and a presenter addressing a group strongly suggests a classroom or training environment.
Question 3: Which of the following correctly describes the foreground of an image?
- The part of the image furthest from the viewer
- The part of the image blurred by the camera
- The part of the image closest to the viewer (Correct answer)
- The part of the image that is completely dark
Correct answer: The part of the image closest to the viewer
The foreground refers to the area of the image that is closest to the viewer or camera.
Question 4: Two images are shown: one of a family eating dinner together, and one of a person eating alone. What emotional contrast can you draw?
- Both images show the same level of loneliness.
- The family scene suggests togetherness, while the solo image implies solitude. (Correct answer)
- There is no emotional difference between the two images.
- Eating alone is always shown as a positive experience.
Correct answer: The family scene suggests togetherness, while the solo image implies solitude.
Comparing emotional tone — togetherness versus solitude — is an effective way to contrast two images in APTIS.
Question 5: In APTIS speaking, when you compare two images, how long should your response typically be?
- One or two words
- A single short sentence
- A structured response of several sentences covering similarities and differences (Correct answer)
- A written paragraph only
Correct answer: A structured response of several sentences covering similarities and differences
APTIS expects an extended spoken response that covers both similarities and differences using appropriate discourse markers.
Question 6: A picture shows children playing in a park on a sunny day. Which phrase best describes their mood?
- The children appear bored and unhappy.
- The children look tired and ill.
- The children seem to be enjoying themselves and having fun. (Correct answer)
- The children are clearly working hard.
Correct answer: The children seem to be enjoying themselves and having fun.
Children playing in a sunny park typically look happy and energetic, making 'enjoying themselves' the most accurate description.
Question 7: Which phrase best introduces a description of something you notice in the center of a picture?
- In the middle of the image... (Correct answer)
- Behind the camera...
- Outside the frame...
- On the back of the photograph...
Correct answer: In the middle of the image...
'In the middle of the image' correctly directs attention to the central focal point of a picture.
APTIS Describing and Comparing Pictures 3
When describing the location of objects in a picture, which phrase is most appropriate?