Picture Story (A2 Key) - Complete Study Guide for Cambridge English Qualifications
This task tests whether you can write a simple story in the right order with clear meaning. In A2 Key Reading and Writing Part 7, you see three pictures that show a story. You write about all three pictures in 35 words or more. Linking words and past tenses help your story flow.
Step-by-Step Strategy
- Look at all three pictures and decide what happens in each one
- Write at least one sentence for each picture, in order
- Use the past simple, for example "went", "saw" and "decided"
- Join your ideas with "first", "then", "after that" and "in the end"
- Give the people names if it helps you tell the story clearly
Avoid These Mistakes
- Forgetting to write about one of the pictures
- Mixing present and past tenses in the same story
- Writing fewer than 35 words
- Writing a list of things in the pictures instead of a story
- Getting irregular past forms wrong, for example "goed" instead of "went"
Expert Tips
- Learn common irregular verbs: go-went, see-saw, buy-bought, find-found, take-took
- Add a feeling to your story: "She was happy", "They were surprised"
- Aim for about 40-50 words
- Practice with any set of three pictures, such as a comic strip
- Read your story again to check it makes sense from start to finish
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words should I write?
35 words or more. About 40-50 words gives you room to describe all three pictures.
Which tense should I use?
Use the past simple for most of the story. This is how stories are usually told in English.
Can I add details that are not in the pictures?
Yes, small details are fine, but your story must still describe what happens in all three pictures.
Available in: A2 Key (KET)
Time allowed: 10 minutes