Practicing writing skills through picture description is one of the most effective ways to reinforce vocabulary and grammar structures in English. This exercise builds on previous lessons about describing a house and challenges you to apply what you've learned in a new context.
What does the writing exercise involve?
The task is straightforward: download the worksheet from the resource section, look at the picture provided, and write four or five sentences describing what you see. The key is to use both affirmative and negative forms to show what exists and what doesn't exist in the image.
This approach reinforces the use of there is and there are, two essential structures for describing places and objects in English. Using them in both positive and negative sentences helps you practice a wider range of expression.
How should you structure your descriptions?
Here are some examples modeled during the exercise [0:36]:
- There are four chairs.
- There aren't ten lamps.
- There are two lamps.
- There is a big window.
- There isn't a TV.
Notice how each sentence focuses on observable details in the picture. You mention specific quantities and use adjectives like big to add more information. The pattern alternates between what is present and what is not present, which makes your description more complete and interesting.
What is the difference between there is and there are?
There is is used with singular nouns: there is a big window. There are is used with plural nouns: there are four chairs. Their negative forms follow the same rule: there isn't for singular and there aren't for plural. Mastering this distinction is fundamental for accurate descriptions.
Why include negative sentences?
Writing about what doesn't exist in a picture forces you to think critically about the image. It also expands your practice beyond simple listing, helping you develop more nuanced writing skills.
How should you save your work?
Remember to consolidate your answers in your workbook [1:12]. This workbook serves as the final evidence of your work, so keeping it organized and complete is important for tracking your progress throughout the course.
Try writing your sentences and then reading them aloud to check if they sound natural. What details did you notice in your picture? Share your descriptions and compare them with a classmate.
