Imagine this: you’re in the middle of the TOEIC Speaking test, and suddenly a picture appears on your screen. You get just 30 seconds to prepare and then 45 seconds to speak. Many test-takers freeze at this stage.
The most common problems?
- Running out of things to say.
- Speaking too fast or too slow.
- Worrying about grammar mistakes.
- Describing random details without structure.
The good news? With a clear step-by-step method, some targeted vocabulary, and consistent practice, you can turn this stressful task into one of your strongest parts of the test.
What Part 2 looks like in the exam
Here’s what you can expect in TOEIC Speaking Part 2: Describe a Picture:
- Task format:
- 1 picture prompt appears on your screen.
- 30 seconds to prepare.
- 45 seconds to describe the picture aloud.
- Scoring criteria (ETS):
- Pronunciation & intonation – Can the listener understand you easily?
- Grammar & vocabulary – Do you use correct structures and enough words?
- Coherence & organization – Do your ideas flow logically?
Step-by-step method to describe a picture
Follow these six steps to organize your answer:
- Start with the big picture
- “This is a picture of a busy street.”
- “The photo shows an office meeting.”
- Place the setting
- Mention location, time of day, or general atmosphere.
- “It seems to be daytime in a café.”
- Focus on the people
- Who are they? What do they look like?
- “Two men are standing next to each other.”
- Add actions & objects
- Use verbs: holding, talking, smiling, sitting.
- “A woman is writing on a notepad.”
- Use position language
- in the background, on the left, in front of, beside.
- “On the right, a man is typing on his laptop.”
- Wrap up
- A simple conclusion:
- “Overall, it looks like a friendly meeting.”
This method ensures your answer is logical, complete, and easy to follow.
Power vocabulary for Part 2
Here’s a mini word bank you can memorize and use:
| Word/Phrase | Example use |
|---|---|
| In the background | “In the background, I can see tall buildings.” |
| On the left/right | “On the right, a man is typing on his laptop.” |
| Busy / crowded | “The street looks busy with many people walking.” |
| Wearing | “She is wearing a blue jacket.” |
| Holding | “He is holding a cup of coffee.” |
| Next to / beside | “The girl is sitting beside her friend.” |
| Standing / sitting | “A group of students are standing near the door.” |
| Smiling / looking | “They are smiling at the camera.” |
| Outdoor / indoor | “It seems like an outdoor café.” |
| Probably / maybe | “It is probably a business meeting.” |
High-scoring sample answer
“This picture shows an office meeting room. In the center, three people are sitting around a table. The woman on the left is holding a pen and taking notes. The man opposite her is speaking and seems to be explaining something. In the background, I can see a whiteboard with some diagrams. Everyone looks focused and professional. It is probably a team discussion about a project.”
Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | Why it’s a problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking too fast | Hurts clarity | Slow down, focus on fluency |
| Over-describing clothes | Wastes time | Prioritize actions & context |
| Forgetting conclusion | Ends abruptly | Always wrap up with 1–2 final sentences |
| Using present continuous incorrectly | Grammar errors lower score | Practice “be + verb -ing” patterns |
Quick practice ideas
- Photo challenge: Open your phone gallery, pick any photo, and describe it aloud in 45 seconds.
- Partner practice: A friend shows you a picture, you describe it. Switch roles.
- AI feedback: Use Speak AICademy’s practice app to record your answers and get instant corrections.
Practicing little and often is more effective than long sessions once a week.
FAQ
Q1: Can I use “maybe” or “probably” in my description?
Yes! It shows flexibility. For example: “The man is probably a teacher.”
Q2: What if I don’t know a word?
Use a simple phrase instead. For example: “something to write with” if you forget “marker.”
Q3: Is pronunciation more important than vocabulary?
Both are important, but clarity is the priority. Simple words with good pronunciation are better than advanced words used incorrectly.
Don’t overthink Part 2. Examiners are not looking for fancy words, they want clear, structured, and confident speech.
Want instant feedback and realistic practice?
Try Speak AICademy’s AI tutor and get corrections that help you improve faster.
⚠️ Timing and scoring may vary slightly – always double-check the official ETS TOEIC Speaking guide.