How can you describe a piece of art for an IELTS Speaking Test?
If you are new to DailyStep English - welcome! Please sign up for a free trial of 5 Audio Lessons and to be on my mailing list for more free IELTS videos.
If you are new to DailyStep English - welcome! Please sign up for a free trial of 5 Audio Lessons and to be on my mailing list for more free IELTS videos.
IELTS Speaking Test PART 2 Sample Question and Answer
by Jane Lawson at DailyStep.com
Answer: One of my favourite pieces of art is called The Fighting Temeraire, by an artist called Turner. It is a watercolour painting of a large old-fashioned battleship, the Temeraire, being towed back to harbour at sunset with all of its sails down so it can be towed by the tugboat.
To be honest, I can't really remember when I first saw this painting because it is one of the most famous paintings in Britain so I probably saw a picture of it in a book. I have only ever seen the original painting once, in the National Gallery in London, where I was a bit surprised to find that it was quite a lot smaller than I expected it to be.
I wish I knew more about this painting really. I think it was painted in the 1830s or thereabouts. As far as I know, this picture shows the ship being taken on its last journey, after it had been wrecked during a battle.
One of the things I love about this painting is the way that Turner, the artist, uses impressions and light. There are hardly any lines in the painting, so everything is a kind of haze, even the shoreline between the water and the sandy river bank. I have heard that Turner’s style had a big influence on French Impressionist painters, such as Monet.
Another thing I find fascinating about this painting is the sunset. Turner and other artists at the time often painted very dramatic sunsets and it is now believed that the skies they could see really were this dramatic, because a huge volcano had erupted in Indonesia shortly before that time and the ash cloud from the volcano that spread around the world would have made the sunsets and skies much more colourful, and the atmosphere seem hazier. So it’s like seeing a period of past natural history through the eyes of the artist.
This sample answer took around 2 minutes, which is the maximum time you need to speak without stopping in Part 2 of the IELTS speaking exam. Now, try this yourself, and if possible record your answer so you can listen back to it.
** There is a FREE PDF file of this lesson at the bottom of this page. If you are a subscriber to DailyStep, you can also download this audio file there.**
Hello! I'm Jane at DailyStep English
Are you new here? Please try DailyStep English 100% FREE
You are welcome to have 5 Free Audio Lessons in your own Personal Lesson Bank. No need to enter any details apart from your name and email address. I will never share your details with anyone.
Free Trial |
DailyStep English Audio Lessons are designed to help you learn to speak and understand English at the speed that we speak it.
No matter how good your English is, you need to be able to follow a fast conversation in order to participate.
DailyStep English courses are fully accredited and you can get an internationally recognised certificate for your CV or resume. Please listen to current DailyStep lesson topics here:
Listen Now |
What is a DailyStep English Audio Lesson?
How to Start Daily Audio Lessons
✔ Daily Audio Lessons + ALL Premium Audio in my Blog Library
✔ Your lessons never expire - you can take them again any time
✔ Change your level any time
✔ 100% happy in 30 days or your money back!
Please choose your level(s) - Beginner to Advanced:
1 month = 25 Lessons
3 months = 70 Lessons
12 months = 260 Lessons
£48.00
Regular Payment = 25 Lessons every month
You can cancel any time
1 month = 25 Lessons
3 months = 70 Lessons
12 months = 260 Lessons
£62.00
Regular Payment = 25 Lessons every month
You can cancel any time
1 month = 25 Lessons
3 months = 70 Lessons
12 months = 260 Lessons
£74.00
Regular Payment = 25 Lessons every month
You can cancel any time
1 month = 25 Lessons
3 months = 70 Lessons
12 months = 260 Lessons
£86.00
Regular Payment = 25 Lessons every month
You can cancel any time
DailyStep English Lessons are inspected and accredited by the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certification Service. This is an internationally recognised organisation that inspects learning programs and guarantees quality in further education.
You can add your DailyStep English Certificate of Continuing Professional Development to your CV or Resume and show a college or employer that you have completed a DailyStep English course. Each certificate has a unique number and can be verified as authentic.