SECTION 2: DESCRIBING OBJECTS

Describing an item/object often very much involves the use of adjectives and
adverbs to paint a vivid picture of what is being mentioned. So remember to learn
by heart the OpSASCOMP rule.
There are many items/objects to be asked, yet you can learn certain types and
flexibly make your answer fit the task. These types include: a (technological)
gadget/device, a gift/toy/souvenir, an item of clothing.
Remind yourself of the answer order you should use when giving a monologue
about an object.

Stage 1: Say what it is and why you have it.

Stage 2: Say what its purpose is.
Stage 3: Evaluate it.
Stage 4: Say why it is important and how you feel about it.

When talking about an item/object, you can develop your speech based on these
categories:
1. COLOR
Glossary:
reddish Multicolored
yellowish
blueish/ navy blue/ azure
pinkish
brownish
plain white
vibrant golden
vivid transparent
brightly colored metallic
black and white teal
grey maroon

Structure:
• To have a fur coat of + [color] (stuffed animals, walls, etc.)
E.g: The Teddy bear has a fur coat of brown.
• Pure + color
E.g: The beach has pure white sand.

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 • Be + [color] + in color
E.g: The earrings are grey in color.

2. SIZE
Glossary:
tiny average-sized
miniature compact
gigantic portable
enormous S – M – L – XL – XXL
giant baggy/ loose >< tight
lightweight bulky

Structure:
• Be + [number, cm/m] + in length/width/height
E.g: The laptop is 50cm in length.
• Be of medium size
E.g: The laptop is of medium size.
• Be pretty + adjective
E.g: The gadget is pretty small, lightweight and portable.

3. AGE
Glossary:
Obsolete out-of-date/ outdated
old-fashioned newly released
the latest (version (of)) antique
state-of-the-art modern
new brand-new
advanced cutting-edge

Structure:
• To date back to/ date from
E.g: The painting dates back to/ dates from 1970.

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 4. SHAPE
Glossary:
pointed >< curved (edge) cylindrical
triangular square
rectangular diamond-shaped
circular / round oval

Structure:
• Be noun-shaped
E.g: The neon light is triangle-shaped.
• Be + (a/an) adjectives (+ noun)
E.g: It was a square table with four pointed edges.

5. ORIGIN
Glossary:
Vietnamese; Chinese; Japanese; German; etc.
Home-made/ hand-made
- Central Highlands
- Coastal area
- Mountainous area
- Red/Mekong River Delta
-

Structure:
• Be of + [Adj] provenance
E.g: The keyboard is of English provenance.
• Be manufactured/ produced/ made/ created in + [place]
E.g: iPhones 12 are manufactured in Vietnam.

6. MATERIAL
Glossary:
cardboard cotton
golden leather
plastic silk
glass woolen
stone wooden
linen felt
feather (bird) mouton/sheep fur
steel/ stainless steel aluminum

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 Structure:
• Be (mainly/mostly) made of
E.g: The device is made of aluminum so it is quite durable.

7. EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT
Structure:
• Bring back (so many) good memories
E.g: I just came across my old shoes yesterday and they brought back
so many good memories.
• Be reminiscent of
E.g: The souvenir is reminiscent of my time in Spain.
• Feel a sense of nostalgia
E.g: I felt a sense of nostalgia when I came across the bed-time story
book my mom used to read me.
• X remind(s) me of = X make(s) me think of
E.g: The doll just reminded me of how happy I was as a child.
• Have a strong sentimental attachment to …
E.g: I had a strong sentimental attachment to the ring as it was given to
me by my mother.

8. VALUE
Glossary:
overpriced essential
exorbitant vital
astronomical indispensable
prohibitive/ prohibitively expensive crucial
reasonable/ reasonably priced of great importance
low-cost Priceless >< worthless
a waste of money
good value (for money)

E.g:
The phone is overpriced.
For me, a laptop is indispensable as it greatly assists me in my work.
The price of the camera was reasonable = The camera was reasonably
priced.
My phone is indispensable to me because it both helps me with my work
and my entertainment.

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 9. PURPOSE
Structure:
• X + can help (people) + (to) verb
The Internet can help people to communicate across the world cheaply and
quickly.
• X + isl are used + to verb/for verb-ing
Microwave ovens are used for cooking; heating and defrosting food and
drinks.
• X + is/are useful + for verb-ing
The Internet blog I write is useful for developing my research and writing
skills.
• X + is/are great + for verb-ing
A pocket digital camera is great for taking quick photos while on holiday.
• X + provide(s) ...
Online English classes provide an environment for students to speak to
real, live native English speakers.
• X + provide(s) people with ...
Cars provide ordinary people with the freedom to travel independently
anywhere, at any time.
• X + is/are valued for ...
Egyptian mummies are valued for their historical significance.
• X + is I are appreciated because I for ...
The movie Lilies o/the Field is appreciated because one of the actors,
Sidney Poitier, was the first black actor to win an Oscar.
• X + is/are important for ...
When I become a father, I want to buy a baby carry bag as it's important
for carrying the baby around outside safely.

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 USEFUL STRUCTURES:

Showing addition
besides ... also ...
The subway is a great means of transport because besides being more
environmentally friendly, it also helps reduce traffic.
as well as ... also ...
I really valued the scarf my mother knitted me because as well as keeping me
warm, it also reminded me of her love for me.
not only ... but also ...
The electronic dictionary I have not only has millions and millions of definitions,
but also has recordings of native speakers saying the words.
Showing evaluation
although ... (still) ...
Although Van Gogh's painting Sunflowers is much more famous, I still prefer
Crows over Cornfields because ...
I prefer Van Gogh's Crows over Cornfields although Sunflowers is much more
famous.
despite ... (still) ...
Despite buses always being crowded, they're still the cheapest and most
convenient way to travel.
even though ...
Even though it has caused many problems, the invention of gunpowder is
extremely important historically.
apart/aside from ...
Apart/aside from the very low battery power, my new mobile phone is excellent.

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STRUCTURING A POSSIBLE ANSWER

Apply the WH-technique and the 4-stage formula to verbalize this task:
Talk about something you own that is expensive.

Stage 1: Say what it is and why you What it is:

have it. - a mobile phone – the latest version;
brand?
What it is like:
- Color: navy blue, coated with
ceramic
- Material: aluminum, glass
(screen)
- Screen ratio: 18:9
When you had/bought it:
- 3 years ago
How expensive it was:
− $1,000 – very expensive
Who bought for you:
- My parents
Where it was bought:
- A local cellphone store
Why you had it:
- Passed the high school entrance
exam
Stage 2: Say what its purpose is. - Communication
- Study
- Entertainment
- Photography
Stage 3: Evaluate it. Convenient:
- Large screen: easily read
documents
- Powerful battery: satisfy my
needs
- Powerful chipset: multitask
easily, do not have to reload
- Good camera: memory-keeper
- Good reminder: remind me of
my to-do things
……………………..

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 Stage 4: Say why it is important and
how you feel about it.
Very important and meaningful gift:
- Update news
- Indispensable because it helps
me a lot with my study (Covid-
19)
How you feel:
- Cherish the phone because it’s
my first one
- Symbolic of my effort and
success

PRACTICE

Now it’s your turn to practice using the above formula.

1. Describe a uniform (in school or company) you
wear
You should say:
- When you usually wear it
- Who bought it for you
- What it is like
- And how you feel about it

2. Describe a toy you like in your childhood

You should say
- What the toy was
- Who gave it to you
- How you used this
- And explain how you felt when you got this toy

3. Describe something useful you borrow from

others
You should describe
- What you borrowed
- Who you borrowed it from
- What you borrowed it for
- And explain why it was useful to you

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 4. Describe a gift that you took a lot of time to
choose
You should say:
- What it was
- Who you gave it to
- How you prepare
- Explain why you spent a lot of time preparing it

5. Describe something special you took home from

a tourist attraction.
You should say:
- What it was
- When you bought it
- Where it was
- What it was like
- And explain why you think it was special

6. Describe something you bought but difficult to

use at first
You should say:
- What it was
- Where you bought it
- How you used it successfully and how you felt
about it

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