Eiken Speaking: Narration of Pictures Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the Eiken picture narration task, what is the most important objective for the test-taker?
- To describe every single detail visible in each of the pictures.
- To create a cohesive and logical story that connects all the pictures. (Correct answer)
- To use as many complex vocabulary words and grammatical structures as possible.
- To speak for the entire duration of the allotted time, even if it means repeating information.
Correct answer: To create a cohesive and logical story that connects all the pictures.
The primary goal of the narration task is not just to describe images, but to use them as prompts to tell a coherent story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. While details are important, they should serve the story. The focus is on narrative flow and logical connection between the panels.
Question 2: Scenario: The first picture shows a young woman looking at a wilting, sad-looking plant on her desk. The second picture shows her at a library, reading a book about gardening. Which sentence best connects these two pictures in a narration?
- First, the woman had a plant. Next, she went to the library because she likes books.
- The woman was at her desk and then she was at the library.
- One day, a woman was sad because her plant was dying. To find a solution, she went to the library to research how to care for it. (Correct answer)
- The plant was not healthy. The woman read a book with a green cover.
Correct answer: One day, a woman was sad because her plant was dying. To find a solution, she went to the library to research how to care for it.
This answer is the most effective because it establishes the character's motivation and creates a logical cause-and-effect link between the two scenes. It explains *why* the woman went to the library, which is a key element of storytelling.
Question 3: When narrating a four-panel story, which of the following transitional phrases is most appropriate for moving from the third picture to the fourth and final picture?
- Finally, (Correct answer)
- For example,
- Meanwhile,
- On the other hand,
Correct answer: Finally,
"Finally," or similar phrases like "In the end," is the standard way to signal the conclusion of a sequence of events. It clearly tells the listener that this is the last part of the story and its resolution.
Question 4: Which of the following is considered a poor strategy during the one-minute preparation time before the narration begins?
- Identifying the main character and the overall plot.
- Thinking of key vocabulary, like verbs and adjectives, for each picture.
- Trying to write down and memorize a complete, word-for-word script. (Correct answer)
- Planning the story's beginning, the development of the problem, and the final resolution.
Correct answer: Trying to write down and memorize a complete, word-for-word script.
There is not enough time to write a full script, and trying to memorize it will likely make the narration sound unnatural and robotic. If you forget a word, you might get stuck. The preparation time is best used for outlining key points, not for scripting.
Question 5: While it is important to describe the actions in the pictures, a high-scoring narration also includes inferences about the characters. Which of the following is the best example of an inference?
- The man is wearing a blue jacket and holding a map.
- The picture shows a dog sitting next to a boy.
- The boy was probably feeling lonely, so he was happy when his parents gave him a puppy. (Correct answer)
- In the background, there are two trees and a house.
Correct answer: The boy was probably feeling lonely, so he was happy when his parents gave him a puppy.
This statement goes beyond simple description. It interprets the character's feelings ('lonely,' 'happy') and explains the motivation behind the events, which are not explicitly stated but can be reasonably guessed from the context of the story. The other options are just direct observations.
Question 6: In general, what is the most appropriate and commonly used verb tense for telling the main story in the Eiken picture narration task?
- Future tense (e.g., 'The man will open the door.')
- Present perfect tense (e.g., 'The man has opened the door.')
- Simple present tense (e.g., 'The man opens the door.')
- Simple past tense (e.g., 'The man opened the door.') (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Simple past tense (e.g., 'The man opened the door.')
The simple past tense is the standard tense for storytelling, as it recounts events that have already happened in a chronological sequence. While the simple present can sometimes be used (the 'historical present'), the simple past is the most reliable and expected choice for this task.
Eiken Speaking: Narration of Pictures Questions and Answers
In the Eiken picture narration task, what is the most important objective for the test-taker?