As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I often get asked about how to answer personal questions in the IELTS Speaking test. One common question that tends to stump students is, “How do you keep your photos?”.
While seemingly simple, this question requires more than just a basic response. It’s an opportunity for you to showcase your vocabulary and fluency in English. This article delves into how to answer “How do you keep your photos?” effectively, providing you with the tools to impress your examiner.
Understanding the Question
The examiners aren’t just interested in knowing where you store your photos; they want to understand:
- Your relationship with photography: Do you enjoy taking photos? What kinds of photos do you have?
- Your organizational skills: How do you categorize and manage your photos?
- Your ability to elaborate and provide details: Can you give specific examples and expand on your answers?
Ways to Keep Your Photos
Here are some common methods of storing photos and vocabulary to use when describing them:
Physical Storage:
- Photo albums: “I like to arrange my photos chronologically in photo albums. It’s a nice way to reminisce and share memories with others.”
- Scrapbooks: “I’m quite creative, so I enjoy making scrapbooks. I decorate them with colorful paper, stickers, and handwritten captions next to the photos.”
- Photo boxes: “I have a lot of old photos, so I keep them organized by year in photo boxes. It’s not the most sophisticated system, but it works for me.”
- Framed photos: “I have some of my favorite photos framed and displayed around my home. It adds a personal touch to the decor.”
Digital Storage:
- Computer hard drives: “I back up all my photos on an external hard drive to ensure I don’t lose them.”
- Cloud storage services: “I use cloud storage like Google Photos to keep my photos safe and accessible from anywhere. It’s convenient because I can easily share them with friends and family.”
- Social media platforms: “I often upload my photos to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. It’s a quick way to share moments from my life with others.”
Example Answer
“I primarily keep my photos digitally. I use a cloud storage service because it’s convenient and secure. I organize them into folders by date and event. For instance, I have a folder for my recent trip to Europe, another for my family gatherings, and one for my hobbies like hiking. I find this method very efficient as I can quickly locate specific photos when I need them. I also enjoy creating photo albums for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. It’s a more personal and tangible way to cherish memories.”
Tips for Answering Effectively
- Be specific: Don’t just say “I keep them on my phone.” Mention which apps or methods you prefer.
- Use a variety of vocabulary: Showcase your range of vocabulary related to photography and organization.
- Give examples: Illustrate your points with personal anecdotes.
- Be enthusiastic: Show interest in the topic and speak naturally.
- Practice: Speak about your photo keeping habits beforehand to feel more comfortable during the test.
Remember, the key is to provide a detailed and engaging response. By using relevant vocabulary, providing specific examples, and demonstrating your fluency, you can turn a simple question about photo storage into an opportunity to shine in your IELTS Speaking test.