Describe AND interpret — using the present tense: When you present the visual stimulus, you must do two things: describe what is literally there (the people, the place, the actions) and interpret what it suggests or means. Describe in the present tense — «en la foto hay…», «veo…», «una persona lee…» — and use position language to say where things are: «en primer plano», «al fondo», «a la izquierda». Then move from description to interpretation with phrases like «parece que…» and «creo que la imagen muestra…». Description alone is not enough — the examiner wants to hear what you think the image means.
- describir
- to describe — say what is literally in the image (people, place, actions)
- interpretar
- to interpret — say what the image suggests, means or conveys
- el primer plano
- the foreground — what's at the front of the image
- el fondo
- the background — what's behind, further away in the image
- «en la foto hay… / veo…»
- «in the photo there is… / I see…» — present-tense openers for describing
- «parece que… / creo que…»
- «it seems that… / I think that…» — openers for interpreting
Always pair a description with an interpretation: For every thing you describe, try to add what it means. «Veo a unas personas que sonríen» (description) → «parece que están contentas y disfrutan del momento» (interpretation). Pairing the two is exactly what lifts your Message marks above a flat list.
Two columns of language to rehearse: Learn two sets of phrases by heart: one for describing (present tense + position) and one for interpreting (what it suggests). In the oral you'll move back and forth between them, so have both ready.
| Describir | Interpretar |
|---|---|
| «En la foto hay… / veo…» | «Parece que… / Creo que…» |
| «en primer plano / al fondo» | «Da la impresión de que…» |
| «a la izquierda / a la derecha» | «Esto sugiere / muestra que…» |
| «una persona lee / habla / sonríe» | «En mi opinión, la imagen trata de…» |
Present tense + position words: Two things to lock in: describe in the present tense («hay», «veo», «sonríe») — not the past — and always say where things are with position words («en primer plano», «al fondo», «a la izquierda», «a la derecha»). Position language alone makes a description sound far more controlled.
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Five moves, in order: A strong description of the stimulus follows the same routine every time: overview, detail, position, interpret, link. Start wide, zoom into the details with position language, then lift from what you see to what it means and tie it to the theme.
Describe a stimulus — 5 steps
1
Overview
Say what kind of image it is in one sentence: «En la foto veo…» (a market, a classroom, a celebration). Set the scene first.
2
Detail
Describe the people, place and actions in the present tense: who is there, where, and what they are doing.
3
Position
Say where things are with position language: «en primer plano», «al fondo», «a la izquierda / derecha». This shows control.
4
Interpret
Move from what you see to what it suggests: «parece que…», «creo que la imagen muestra…». Don't stop at the literal.
5
Link
Tie the image to its theme: «esto se relaciona con el tema de…». Naming the theme anchors the whole description.
Overview → Detail → Position → Interpret → Link
Don't dry up after two sentences: The biggest weakness in descriptions is running out of things to say. The five-step routine keeps you going: if you stall, jump to the next move — describe another detail, add a position, offer an interpretation. There's always one more thing to say about the image.
A full spoken description, step by step: Here's a strong spoken description of a stimulus, following the five-step routine: overview → details → position → interpretation → theme link. This is a model spoken description — tap 🔊 to hear the Spanish, or Ver traducción for the English explanation.
Describing a market stimulus
Overview → detail → position → interpret → link
- Da una visión general: «En la foto veo un mercado al aire libre en una ciudad; es una imagen colorida y llena de vida.»
- Describe los detalles: «En primer plano hay varios puestos de fruta y verdura, y a la izquierda una vendedora atiende a una clienta.»
- Sitúa los elementos: «Al fondo se ven más puestos y, a la derecha, un grupo de personas que pasea entre los productos.»
- Interpreta la imagen: «Parece que es un día de mercado tradicional; creo que la foto transmite la importancia del comercio local y la comunidad.»
- Relaciónala con el tema: «Esto se relaciona con el tema de organización social, porque trata de cómo viven y compran las comunidades.»
Notice the position language doing the work: Look at how «en primer plano», «a la izquierda», «al fondo» and «a la derecha» keep the description flowing and precise. Then notice the switch from «veo…» (describing) to «parece que… / creo que la foto transmite…» (interpreting). That move from see to mean is what earns the Message marks.
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Good decisions vs costly mistakes: Most weak descriptions fail in the same three ways: they only list what's there (no interpretation), they use no position or location language, or they dry up after two sentences. Here's the contrast.
Buenas decisiones
- Describe E interpreta lo que ves.
- Usa lenguaje de posición (en primer plano, al fondo).
- Describe en presente: «hay», «veo», «sonríe».
- Sigue hablando: detalle, posición, interpretación.
Errores típicos
- Only list what you see (no interpretation).
- Use no position or location language.
- Dry up after just two sentences.
- Describe in the past tense instead of the present.
Pair every detail with a position or an interpretation: To avoid all three traps at once, make a rule: never name a detail on its own. Pair it with where it is («a la derecha hay…») or what it means («parece que…»). That single habit keeps you in the present tense, keeps you talking, and forces interpretation.