Do you know what makes a candidate pass a picture story in an English language exam? More than describing what you see, the goal is to bring each picture to life. Creating a story that flows naturally from one image to the next, like scenes in a film.
To master a picture story, the teacher and the candidates need to focus on the heart of the story. Start by noticing who’s at the centre of the action or the main characters. Without them, the story has no anchor. Then pay attention to the helping verb, because it quietly shapes how the reader experiences the moment. When the action is still happening, the present simple tense keeps it alive. When the moment has passed, the present perfect tense helps the reader see its impact.
When one picture flows naturally into the next, the story becomes clear and engaging. In the 2024 PLE picture story number 54, for example, if you mention “two girls” in picture A, they should still be part of the story in picture B. Likewise, if you talk about “drivers” in picture B, those same drivers should appear in picture C. This consistency helps the reader follow the events without confusion.
Picture stories are built on coherence. Each part should connect smoothly to the one before it, with every picture contributing to the overall narrative.
When picture composition is taught well, it does not only help students pass exams. It trains the mind to be a detective. They catch what others miss and connect the dots no one else sees. These aren’t classroom skills, they’re life skills. Out in the real world, we’re constantly reading situations, tracing causes, and connecting the dots to make sense of what’s going on the same way we do when building a picture story.
With the right training, candidates can learn to craft picture compositions that are not only grammatically correct but also engaging and connected. In the process, they develop a skill that will help them think clearly and communicate effectively for the rest of their lives.
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