How to Compare Photos in English (B2 & C1)

How to Compare Photos in English (B2 & C1) – A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most stressful moments in Cambridge speaking exams (B2 First and C1 Advanced) is when the examiner says:

“Here are two photos. I’d like you to compare them…”

Suddenly, your mind goes blank. You can see the photos. You understand the task. But the words? They vanish like socks in a washing machine.

The good news is this: photo comparison is not about inspiration. It’s about structure. If you follow a clear plan, you can speak calmly, logically, and confidently — even if the topic is boring, strange, or completely unfamiliar.

In this guide, you’ll learn a simple, exam-proof, step-by-step method to compare photos at B2 and C1 level, with useful phrases and practical tips.

What the examiner really wants

In photo comparison tasks, the examiner is not testing your imagination, your artistic opinion or your specialist knowledge of the topic.

They are testing:

• Your ability to compare and contrast
• Your ability to speculate
• Your range of vocabulary and grammar
• Your fluency and organisation

So your job is simple: show clear thinking and clear language.

The perfect structure

Use this 4-step structure:

1. Overview – say what you see in general
2. Compare – talk about similarities and differences
3. Speculate – say why, how, or what might be happening
4. Answer the question – respond directly to the task

Think of it like a well-made sandwich: structure first, details in the middle, conclusion at the end.

Step 1: Give a short overview

Start by showing the examiner you understand both pictures.

Useful phrases:

• Both pictures show…
• In both photos, we can see…
• The two pictures seem to be about…

Example:

Both pictures show people spending time outdoors, but in very different ways.

Keep this short. One sentence is enough.

Step 2: Compare and contrast

Now talk about similarities and differences.

Useful phrases:

• In the first photo…, whereas in the second…
• While the first picture shows…, the second one…
• One obvious difference is that…
• A similarity between them is…

Example:

In the first photo, the people seem to be working together in a team, whereas in the second one, the person is alone and appears to be working independently.

Don’t describe every detail. Select only what helps you compare.

Step 3: Speculate (this is where B2 becomes C1)

Cambridge loves speculation.

Useful phrases:

• They might be…
• He could be…
• It looks as if…
• They seem to be…
• Perhaps… / Maybe…

Example:

They might be colleagues working on a project, whereas the person in the second photo could be a freelancer working from home.

This shows flexibility, nuance, and higher-level thinking.

Step 4: Answer the actual question

Now connect everything to the task.

If the question is about which situation is more enjoyable / more effective / more stressful, say so clearly.

Useful phrases:

• I think the first situation might be…, because…
• In my opinion, the second one would probably be…
• Overall, I’d say…

Example:

Overall, I think the first situation might be more motivating, because working in a team often helps people stay focused and feel supported.

This is your mini-conclusion.

Timing: how long should you speak?

B2: about 1 minute

C1: about 1–1.5 minutes

If you use the 4 steps, your timing will be perfect automatically.

A ready-made model answer (short & realistic)

Both pictures show people working, but in quite different environments. In the first photo, the people seem to be working together in a shared space, whereas in the second one, the person is alone, probably at home. One clear difference is that the first situation looks more social, while the second seems quieter and more private. They might be doing similar jobs, but in very different conditions. Overall, I think the first situation might be more motivating, because teamwork often makes people feel more engaged.

That’s exactly the level Cambridge wants.

Common mistakes to avoid

❌ Just describing the pictures

❌ Forgetting to compare

❌ Not answering the question

❌ Speaking with no structure

❌ Panicking and going silent

Remember: structure beats vocabulary. Always.

Final exam tip

Practise with any two random photos. Even a menu and a bus stop. If you can compare those, you’re ready for anything.

Download 10 B2 First Speaking – Photo Comparison Tasks in PDF here

Download 10 C1 Advanced Speaking – Photo Comparison Tasks in PDF here

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