This key facts covers Key rules at a glance within The short writing task: photo and sentences for GCSE German. Revise The short writing task: photo and sentences in Writing and Translation into German 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 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📌 Key rules at a glance
- Open with a set phrase: Auf dem Foto sehe ich… or Das Foto zeigt… — never start with a bare noun
- Cover the four elements: opener → who → where → what → opinion
- Add one opinion with weil: Ich finde das Foto schön, weil es sonnig ist.
- Es gibt… = there is / there are — useful for describing numbers of people
- After weil, verb goes to the END: weil es sonnig ist, not weil es ist sonnig
- Keep sentences short and correct: a short accurate sentence scores more than a long incorrect one
- Check verb endings: sie spielen (they play) — the ending changes with the subject
Practice questions for The short writing task: photo and sentences
Which German phrase is the most natural way to open a photo description?
A student writes: 'Ich finde das toll, weil das Wetter ist schön.' What is wrong with this sentence?
Quick recall flashcards
Es gibt...
There is... / There are...
Use to describe what is in the photo — takes the accusative case:
• Es gibt zwei Personen. (There are two people.)
• Es gibt einen Baum. (There is a tree.) — einen = accusative masculine
• Es gibt viele Kinder. (There are many children.)
Es gibt is always singular even when describing multiple things.
Das Foto zeigt...
The photo shows...
Alternative opener — use instead of or as well as Auf dem Foto sehe ich:
• Das Foto zeigt eine Familie im Garten.
• Das Foto zeigt Schüler in der Schule.
zeigt = third-person singular of zeigen (to show).