Answer every part of the picture question
In A2 Spreken (speaking) picture questions, answer every part of the question in short Dutch sentences. With one picture, describe the details the question asks for. With two pictures, you may need to choose one and explain why or when you prefer it. With three pictures, cover every picture the question names. Add an opinion or reason when the question asks for one.
These examples cover picture tasks. For the full exam format and scoring, see the A2 Spreken exam guide.
Picture tasks with 1, 2 or 3 pictures
The question tells you which details to give. Use the official A2 speaking practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) from DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch education service) to hear complete questions.
You can scroll wide tables sideways.
| Pictures | What to answer | Dutch phrases |
|---|---|---|
| 1 picture | Describe the details the question asks for. Give your opinion or a reason if asked. Say how often something happens if asked. | Ik zie... (I see...) De persoon... (The person...) Ik vind... (I think...) |
| 2 pictures | Choose one if asked. Then answer the second part: for example, why you prefer it or when you use it. | Ik kies plaatje 1, want... (I choose picture 1 because...) Plaatje 2 vind ik minder... (I like picture 2 less...) |
| 3 pictures | Cover all the pictures named in the question. Describe objects and uses, or actions in order, as asked. | For actions in order: Eerst... (First...) Daarna... (Then...) Tot slot... (Finally...) |
Steps for answering a picture question
Use this order for each practice task:
- Listen to the whole question, including what comes after Vertel ook... (Also say...).
- Pick the picture details needed for each part of the question.
- Answer each part in short, complete sentences with words you know.
DUO’s Beoordelingsmodel Spreken A2 (A2 speaking assessment model) (External site, opens in a new tab) scores how fully and clearly you answer the question. It also scores vocabulary, grammar, fluency, how your ideas connect and pronunciation.
Words for people, places, actions and feelings
Use words you know to describe the details the question asks for. These words can help:
- People: man (man), vrouw (woman), kind (child), cursist (course participant), collega (colleague), buurman (male neighbour).
- Places: school (school), werk (work), winkel (shop), keuken (kitchen), straat (street), station (station).
- Actions: koopt (buys), praat (talks), wacht (waits), kookt (cooks), fietst (cycles), werkt (works), belt (calls).
- Feelings and reasons: blij (happy), druk (busy), gezond (healthy), makkelijk (easy), goedkoper (cheaper), dichtbij (nearby).
Example answers for three picture tasks
These are our own practice examples. Each answer fits the imagined pictures and question below. Change the details to match your task.
One picture: shopping
Imagine a woman buying bread and milk in a shop. The question asks what she is doing and what you think of the situation.
Ik zie een vrouw in een winkel. (I see a woman in a shop.) Zij koopt brood en melk. (She buys bread and milk.) Ik vind dit normaal, want ik doe ook boodschappen in de supermarkt. (I think this is normal because I also buy groceries in the supermarket.)
This answer names the action and gives the requested opinion. Use the opinion sentence only when the question asks what you think.
Two pictures: choosing a workplace
Imagine two workplaces: one quiet and one noisy. The question asks where you prefer to work and why.
Ik kies het eerste plaatje. (I choose the first picture.) Daar is het rustig. (It is quiet there.) Ik werk liever rustig, omdat ik me dan beter kan concentreren. (I prefer to work somewhere quiet because I can concentrate better there.)
This answer chooses one picture and explains the choice. If the question asks when instead, say when you prefer that option.
Three pictures: washing hands before eating
Imagine three pictures of a man washing his hands, drying them and eating. The question asks you to describe every picture and say what you think of this routine.
Eerst wast de man zijn handen. (First, the man washes his hands.) Daarna droogt hij zijn handen af. (Then he dries his hands.) Tot slot gaat hij eten. (Finally, he starts eating.) Dat is gezond en schoon. (That is healthy and clean.)
This answer covers all three actions in order and adds the requested opinion. For pictures of separate objects, name each object and answer what the question asks about it.
Practice for your next attempt
If you miss the second part of a question, practise listening for what comes after Vertel ook. If you can answer every part, record your answers and check whether each sentence is clear. Use memorised phrases only when they answer the question.
Start with the official DUO practice exams linked above. Then use our free materials for extra practice:
- Free A2 speaking practice workbook — practise more picture prompts.
- Free A2 speaking summary — review phrases for picture questions.
- A2 Spreken exam guide — check the full exam format and scoring.
- Author
- By Inburgering.org team
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia
Official Sources
- Inburgeren.nl (DUO's civic integration website) — Taalexamens (language exams) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official overview of the A2 speaking exam: computer-based tasks and 35-minute duration.
- Inburgeren.nl — Oefenen (practice) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official A2 speaking practice exams. Use these to hear the full instructions for picture tasks.
- Beoordelingsmodel Spreken A2 (A2 speaking assessment model) (External site, opens in a new tab) - DUO assessment criteria for relevant, clear answers, vocabulary, grammar, fluency, coherence and pronunciation.