This introduction covers Die Fotokarte — Describe and Develop within Photo card: extended answers for GCSE German. Revise Photo card: extended answers in Speaking: Role-Play, Read-Aloud and Photo Card for GCSE German with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 1 of 4 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🖼️ Die Fotokarte — Describe and Develop
The photo card (25 marks) is the biggest part of the AQA 8662 speaking exam. You describe a photo and answer several questions — and the key is extended answers: never one word, always add an opinion, a reason, or an example. The examiner is looking for fluency, range of vocabulary, and grammar across all three time frames. Master the opening formulas and the weil-extension pattern and you will score in the higher bands.
Practice questions for Photo card: extended answers
Which phrase is the standard way to begin describing a photo in the AQA German speaking exam?
In the photo card task, should your answers be one word or extended with a reason?
Quick recall flashcards
Es gibt... / Es sind...
There is... / There are...
'Es gibt viele Menschen auf dem Foto.' = There are many people in the photo.
'Es gibt einen Tisch und vier Stühle.' = There is a table and four chairs. (der Tisch; der Stuhl, die Stühle)
Note: 'es gibt' is always followed by the accusative case.
'Es sind' is also used for people in a scene.
Auf dem Foto sehe ich...
In the photo I can see...
'Auf dem Foto sehe ich eine Gruppe von Jugendlichen.' = In the photo I can see a group of young people.
This is the standard, examiner-approved opener for any photo description.
Note the word order: 'Auf dem Foto' (time/place phrase) → verb 'sehe' in second position → subject 'ich'.