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Model answer by Lifestyle Training Centre

This image showcases a breathtaking countryside scene with a vast green pasture stretching endlessly into the horizon. The lush grass covers the ground like a vibrant green carpet, inviting viewers to imagine the freshness and tranquility of the setting. In the midst of this natural expanse, around half a dozen cows can be seen, happily grazing. Their black and white coats create a striking visual contrast against the green pasture, making them stand out beautifully.

These cows, with their gentle demeanor, add a sense of calm and contentment to the scene as they indulge in their meal. The peacefulness of their grazing reflects the overall serenity of the countryside. In the background, a massive mountain rises majestically, its peak reaching toward the sky and brushing against the floating clouds. The mountain adds a dramatic backdrop to the scene, enhancing the dreamlike quality of the image.

The combination of the grazing cows, the green pasture, and the towering mountain creates a picture of utter tranquility and natural beauty. This captivating and serene countryside scene invites viewers to imagine themselves standing there, breathing in the fresh air, and feeling the peacefulness wash over them. It’s a reminder of the simple, yet profound, beauty of nature and the calm it can bring to our lives.

Describe an image (typing)

List of vocabulary used:

1. Countryside: The rural areas outside of cities and towns, typically characterized by open land, farms, and natural scenery.
2. Vast: Extremely large or wide in area or extent.
3. Pasture: A large area of land covered with grass, especially one used for grazing by livestock.
4. Scenic: Having beautiful natural scenery or views.
5. Descriptive: Providing detailed information or vivid imagery.
6. Essence: The fundamental nature or quality of something; the intrinsic nature of something.
7. Nature: The physical world and everything in it that is not made by people, including plants, animals, mountains, oceans, stars, etc.
8. Grazing: The act of animals, particularly livestock like cows or sheep, feeding on grass in a pasture.
9. Lush: Growing thickly and abundantly; characterized by green and luxuriant vegetation.
10. Indulging: Allowing oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something.
11. Meal: Food consumed by animals or humans to provide nourishment.
12. Massive: Very large and heavy; imposing or impressive in scale or scope.
13. Mountain: A large natural elevation of the earth’s surface, typically with steep sides and a peak.
14. Sky: The region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth; the upper atmosphere or heavens.
15. Brushing: Making contact or coming into gentle contact with something, typically in a light or fleeting manner.
16. Floating: Suspended or moving freely in a liquid or gas without sinking or falling.
17. Dreamlike: Resembling or characteristic of a dream; having an unreal or fantastical quality.
18. Captivating: Holding the attention or interest of someone; enchanting or enthralling.
19. Serene: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
20. Tranquil: Free from disturbance or turmoil; calm and peaceful.
21. Adorned: Decorated or embellished with something, often for aesthetic purposes.
22. Contrasting: Displaying a marked difference or dissimilarity, often in color, tone, or style.
23. Hues: Colors or shades, especially when referring to variations in color.
24. Striking: Attracting attention or impressing the observer due to its notable qualities or distinctiveness.
25. Visual: Relating to sight or the sense of vision; pertaining to what is seen.
26. Backdrop: The background against which something is seen or viewed.
27. Green pasture: A field or meadow covered with lush, green grass, typically used for grazing livestock.
28. Cows: Female cattle, often raised for their milk or meat.
29. Contrast: The state of being strikingly different from something else, often used to highlight distinctions or differences.
30. Aesthetic: Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty, often referring to visual appeal.

31. Paints a picture of: This phrase is often used metaphorically to mean describing something vividly.

32. Stretching out: Describing something as stretching out implies that it extends over a large area.

33. Capturing the essence of: This phrase means accurately representing the fundamental nature or quality of something.

34. Rises up: This phrase emphasizes upward movement or ascent.

35. Touches the sky: This is an idiom used to describe something that is very tall or reaches high into the air.

36. Brushing against: This phrase conveys a gentle or light contact with something.

37. Dreamlike sight: This idiom describes something that resembles or feels like a dream, often referring to its surreal or fantastical quality.

38. Utterly captivating: This phrase emphasizes how completely engaging or enthralling something is.

39. Tranquil countryside setting: This phrase combines “tranquil” (meaning calm and peaceful) with “countryside setting” to describe the peaceful rural environment depicted in the image.

Phrases and idioms used

A few tips:

Observe and Analyse: Spend some time observing various images, noting the key elements and details. Practice analyzing what you see and how you can effectively describe it.

Expand Vocabulary: Work on expanding your vocabulary to include descriptive adjectives, verbs, and idiomatic expressions. This will help you paint a more vivid picture with your words.

Practice Description: Regularly practice describing images, either by describing photographs, illustrations, or even scenes from movies or videos. Try to capture the essence of what you see in clear and engaging language.

Focus on Structure: Pay attention to the structure of your descriptions. Start with an introductory sentence that provides context, then move on to describe the main elements of the image in a logical order.

Utilise Imagery: Incorporate imagery and sensory details to make your descriptions more immersive and engaging. Consider how you can evoke the sights, sounds, and even feelings associated with the image.

Time Management: Practice delivering your descriptions within a limited time frame, similar to the 20-second preparation and 90-second speaking period in the Duolingo English Test. This will help you develop the ability to organise your thoughts quickly and deliver your description efficiently.

Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from teachers, peers, or language partners on your descriptions. Pay attention to areas where you can improve, such as clarity, coherence, or vocabulary usage.

Review and Reflect: After completing a description, take some time to review and reflect on your performance. Identify strengths and weaknesses, and set specific goals for improvement in future practice sessions.

By following these instructions and consistently practicing your description skills, you can enhance your ability to effectively communicate about images, ultimately improving your performance on tasks like the “describe image” question in the Duolingo English Test.

Duolingo – Image description

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