Where Picture-Based Questions Appear in SPM
Picture-based questions show up in multiple components of SPM English. In the reading paper, you may be asked to interpret charts, graphs, posters, advertisements, or illustrations. In the speaking assessment, you might be given a picture and asked to describe it, discuss what’s happening, or give your opinion.
Regardless of where they appear, the skill being tested is the same: can you convert visual information into clear, accurate English?
Many students underperform on these questions — not because they don’t understand the picture, but because they don’t know how to structure their response or which words to use. After tutoring over 2,000 SPM students, I’ve developed a three-step approach that works consistently.
The Three-Step Approach: Describe, Interpret, Connect
Step 1: Describe — What Do You See?
Start with the facts. What is literally in the picture? Don’t analyse yet. Just observe and report.
For a scene or photograph:
- Who is in the picture? (people, animals)
- What are they doing?
- Where is this taking place?
- What objects or details do you notice?
For a chart or graph:
- What is the title?
- What do the axes represent?
- What are the highest and lowest values?
- Are there any obvious trends?
For a poster or advertisement:
- What is the main message?
- Who is the target audience?
- What images and text are used?
- What event or product is being promoted?
Step 2: Interpret — What Does It Mean?
Now go beyond the surface. What is the picture trying to communicate? What can you infer?
- Why are the people in the picture doing what they’re doing?
- What is the purpose of the poster or advertisement?
- What does the trend in the graph suggest?
- What mood or atmosphere does the image create?
Step 3: Connect — Why Does It Matter?
Link the picture to a broader context. This is where you show critical thinking.
- How does this relate to the question being asked?
- What real-world issue does this connect to?
- What is your opinion or conclusion based on the visual information?
Essential Vocabulary for Describing Pictures
Location and Position
| Phrase | Usage |
|---|---|
| in the foreground | ”In the foreground, there is a group of students.” |
| in the background | ”In the background, we can see a row of shophouses.” |
| on the left/right | ”On the left, a woman is holding a placard.” |
| in the centre | ”In the centre of the image, there is a large banner.” |
| at the top/bottom | ”At the top of the poster, the title reads…“ |
| next to / beside | ”Next to the main entrance, there is a notice board.” |
| in the corner | ”In the top right corner, the logo is displayed.” |
Describing People and Actions
| Phrase | Usage |
|---|---|
| appears to be | ”The man appears to be explaining something.” |
| is shown + -ing | ”A group of volunteers is shown cleaning the beach.” |
| can be seen | ”Several children can be seen playing in the park.” |
| is depicted | ”The scene is depicted from a bird’s-eye view.” |
| is engaged in | ”The students are engaged in a group discussion.” |
| seems to | ”The woman seems to be worried about something.” |
Describing Trends (for Graphs and Charts)
| Phrase | Usage |
|---|---|
| increased steadily | ”The number of students increased steadily from 2020 to 2024.” |
| dropped sharply | ”Sales dropped sharply in the third quarter.” |
| remained constant | ”The percentage remained constant at around 45%.“ |
| peaked at | ”Usage peaked at 80% in 2023.” |
| fluctuated | ”The figures fluctuated between 30% and 50%.“ |
| a significant rise/fall | ”There was a significant rise in online learning.” |
Giving Opinions and Interpretations
| Phrase | Usage |
|---|---|
| This suggests that | ”This suggests that more young people are interested in volunteering.” |
| It is evident that | ”It is evident that the campaign was successful.” |
| Based on the picture | ”Based on the picture, we can conclude that…” |
| This could indicate | ”This could indicate a growing awareness of environmental issues.” |
| The picture conveys | ”The picture conveys a sense of community spirit.” |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Listing Without Analysis
Weak answer: “I can see a man. There is a woman. There is a table. There is food on the table. There are chairs.”
This is just a list. The examiner wants you to connect the details.
Stronger answer: “The picture shows a family gathered around a dining table, sharing a meal together. The warm expressions on their faces suggest a close-knit family enjoying quality time, which highlights the importance of family bonds in Malaysian culture.”
Mistake 2: Ignoring Small Details
Students often describe the main subject and stop. But the details matter. A clock on the wall might indicate time of day. A newspaper headline might provide context. A sign in the background might tell you the location.
Tip: Spend 30 seconds scanning the entire picture before you start writing. Note at least three details beyond the obvious main subject.
Mistake 3: Making Up Information
Describe what you can see, not what you imagine. If a picture shows a woman looking at a phone, you can say “she appears to be reading a message.” You cannot say “she is texting her boyfriend about their holiday plans.” Stick to reasonable inferences.
Mistake 4: Using Repetitive Language
Many students start every sentence with “I can see…” This becomes monotonous. Vary your sentence starters:
- “In the foreground, a group of workers…”
- “The picture depicts…”
- “Positioned on the right is…”
- “What stands out most is…”
- “A closer look reveals…”
Mistake 5: Not Answering the Actual Question
If the question asks “What message does this poster convey?”, don’t just describe the poster. Answer the question. Describe briefly, then focus on the message.
Practice Example
Imagine a picture showing students in a classroom. Some are raising their hands, one is writing on the whiteboard, the teacher is smiling, and there’s a banner on the wall that reads “Science Week 2025.”
Step 1: Describe
“The picture shows a lively classroom scene during what appears to be Science Week 2025, as indicated by a banner on the wall. In the foreground, several students are eagerly raising their hands, while one student is writing a formula on the whiteboard. The teacher, standing to the right, is smiling as she observes the students’ participation.”
Step 2: Interpret
“The students’ enthusiastic participation suggests that they are engaged and interested in the lesson. The teacher’s smile indicates that the activity is going well and that she is pleased with the students’ responses. The Science Week banner suggests this may be a special event designed to promote interest in science.”
Step 3: Connect
“This image highlights the importance of interactive learning in schools. When students are actively involved rather than passively listening, they tend to absorb more and develop a genuine interest in the subject. Events like Science Week play a valuable role in making learning enjoyable and encouraging students to explore STEM fields.”
Time Management for Picture-Based Questions
In the reading paper, picture-based questions often carry 2-4 marks each. Don’t spend more than 3-5 minutes per question. Use this breakdown:
- 30 seconds: Scan the entire picture for details
- 30 seconds: Identify what the question is really asking
- 2-3 minutes: Write your response using the describe-interpret-connect framework
- 30 seconds: Reread to check for grammar errors
For the speaking assessment, you typically get 2 minutes of preparation time and 2-3 minutes to speak. Use the preparation time to jot down key points using the three-step method.
If you’re preparing for the reading paper, our guide on reading comprehension strategies covers additional techniques. For the speaking component, check out our tips on building confidence in SPM English and our exam strategy topic page.
Sharpen Your Skills With Practice
Picture-based questions reward a systematic approach. Once you practise the describe-interpret-connect method with real past-year questions, it becomes second nature. In our tutoring sessions, we work through actual SPM picture questions and refine your response technique until it’s exam-ready.
Send us a WhatsApp message to learn how our tutoring can help you tackle every question type in SPM English with confidence.