APTIS Describing and Comparing Pictures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Two images are shown: one of a modern high-tech office, one of a traditional paper-based office. Which phrase best introduces their similarity?
- Both pictures appear to show working environments. (Correct answer)
- Neither image contains any people.
- The offices are in completely different countries.
- One image is clearly better than the other.
Correct answer: Both pictures appear to show working environments.
Identifying that both show work environments is a valid and accurate starting point for comparing the two images.
Question 2: A photograph shows a woman with a worried expression looking at paperwork. What can you reasonably infer?
- She is celebrating a success.
- She may be facing a problem or feeling stressed about something she is reading. (Correct answer)
- She is clearly sleeping.
- She is painting a portrait.
Correct answer: She may be facing a problem or feeling stressed about something she is reading.
A worried expression combined with paperwork suggests the person may be dealing with a stressful or problematic situation.
Question 3: In APTIS picture description, which tense is most commonly used to describe what is currently happening in an image?
- Simple past
- Present perfect
- Present continuous (Correct answer)
- Future simple
Correct answer: Present continuous
The present continuous tense (e.g., 'The man is walking') is standard for describing ongoing actions visible in a picture.
Question 4: A picture shows a street market with colorful fruits and vegetables. Which detail is most useful to mention in a picture description?
- The weight of the fruit
- The vibrant colors and variety of produce on display (Correct answer)
- The exact price of each vegetable
- The country where the seeds were grown
Correct answer: The vibrant colors and variety of produce on display
Mentioning visible details like vibrant colors and variety is the most useful and observable detail in a picture description.
Question 5: Which phrase correctly signals that you are about to describe the second image in a comparison?
- Turning to the second image... (Correct answer)
- That is the end of my description.
- The first picture also shows...
- Both pictures are identical.
Correct answer: Turning to the second image...
'Turning to the second image' is a clear discourse marker that signals a shift from the first to the second picture.
Question 6: A photo depicts a crowded beach on a hot sunny day. Which vocabulary set is most relevant for describing this scene?
- Snowstorms, frostbite, blizzard
- Umbrellas, sunscreen, swimwear, sand, waves (Correct answer)
- Office furniture, laptops, conference tables
- Medical equipment, stethoscopes, hospital beds
Correct answer: Umbrellas, sunscreen, swimwear, sand, waves
Beach-related vocabulary like umbrellas, sunscreen, and waves directly relates to what would be visible in a crowded summer beach scene.
Question 7: You are comparing a picture of a child doing homework with a picture of the same child playing video games. What is the most important functional difference to highlight?
- The child's hair color changes between the pictures.
- One activity is academic and purposeful, while the other is recreational and for entertainment. (Correct answer)
- Both activities involve the same level of physical effort.
- The pictures were taken in different countries.
Correct answer: One activity is academic and purposeful, while the other is recreational and for entertainment.
The key functional contrast is between an educational activity (homework) and a leisure activity (video games).
APTIS Describing and Comparing Pictures 5
Two images are shown: one of a modern high-tech office, one of a traditional paper-based office.
Which phrase best introduces their similarity?