Lucia heads to the zoo with her family. She checks out the lions, giraffes, and elephants. She also snaps pics of the monkeys jumping around. She grabs an ice cream and wanders along the paths. At the end of the day, she heads home happy—she just loves being around animals.
Lucia heads to the zoo with her friends. She checks out the different animal habitats and reads through the info signs. She snaps pics of the tigers and penguins. During the visit, she picks up a souvenir at the zoo shop. Before heading out, she stops by to watch the dolphin show.
Lucia loves checking out the zoo and learning about wildlife. She watches the gorillas closely and is really impressed by how smart they are. She also swings by the aviary, where she admires the bright colors of the parrots. During lunch, she chats with her friends about their favorite animals. Before heading out, she sits in on a talk about protecting endangered species.
Lucia checks out a zoo known for its work in saving endangered species. She gets really into the rehab program for rescued animals and chats with a zookeeper about how hard it is to bring animals back to the wild. At the aquarium, she watches the sharks and learns about ocean pollution. By the end of the tour, she thinks about how important it is to protect the environment and keep biodiversity alive.
For Lucia, the zoo isn’t just a place to have fun—it’s also a space to learn and think. She checks out the research center, where experts look into animal behavior. She talks with a biologist about the ethics of keeping animals in captivity and how to find a balance between conservation and animal welfare. While watching the orangutans, she reflects on deforestation and how human actions threaten their survival. She heads out with a more critical view of what conservation really means.
Lucia looks at the zoo from both an ecological and thoughtful angle. She thinks through how conservation programs have changed over time and talks with researchers about the role zoos play in protecting species. She questions whether man-made environments can really match natural ecosystems. By the end of her visit, she reflects on how seeing animals up close can shape the way people think about conservation and feel about nature.
SPEAKING PRACTICE – PHOTO DESCRIPTION – Model answers (A1–C2)
🟢 A1 – Beginner
This is a zoo. There is a boy with a camera. There are many monkeys. They are playing.
The place is green and has trees and plants.
🟡 A2 – Elementary
In the picture, we can see a zoo with monkeys.
A young man is taking photos. He has a backpack and a camera.
The monkeys are in an enclosure, and there are trees and grass around.
It looks like a sunny day.
🟠 B1 – Intermediate
This image shows a young man visiting a zoo. He is standing in front of a fenced area, watching a group of monkeys that are playing and moving around.
The scene is very green and colourful, and the man seems to be enjoying the moment, probably taking pictures.
The zoo looks clean and well-designed, with space for the animals.
🟣 B2 – Upper-Intermediate
The picture illustrates a young zoo visitor observing a group of monkeys in a lively enclosure.
The boy appears to be interested and engaged, holding a camera and possibly taking pictures of the animals.
The monkeys are active and playful, and the zoo seems to be located in a tropical or jungle-like environment, with lush vegetation all around.
The atmosphere is peaceful, and it seems like an educational and enjoyable visit.
🔵 C1 – Advanced
This image depicts a young man immersed in observing wildlife at a modern zoo.
His stance, with camera in hand and backpack on, suggests he's documenting or simply appreciating the behaviour of the monkeys in their enclosure.
The habitat is spacious, vibrant, and well-maintained, replicating a natural setting with tropical plants and open space for the animals to move.
The image evokes a sense of curiosity, learning, and peaceful interaction with nature, reflecting how zoos can contribute to both education and conservation awareness.
🔴 C2 – Proficient
This detailed scene captures the intersection between human curiosity and structured animal observation. The young visitor, equipped with a camera and casual attire, embodies the modern zoo-goer, eager to connect with nature through photography and observation.
Meanwhile, the monkeys inhabit a carefully curated enclosure, rich in vegetation and behavioural enrichment elements.
The composition balances the controlled environment of a zoo with the energy and spontaneity of the animals, highlighting how designed wildlife spaces can foster engagement, empathy, and even ethical reflection on our relationship with other species.
This moment is more than leisure—it’s an encounter with the wild, mediated through structure and intention.
SPEAKING PRACTICE – PHOTO COMPARISON – Model answers (A1–C2)
🟢 A1 – Beginner
In the first picture, a boy is at the zoo. He is looking at monkeys.
In the second picture, animals are outside in nature.
Both pictures have animals.
I like the zoo.
🟡 A2 – Elementary
In the first image, a man is visiting the zoo.
He is taking photos of monkeys.
In the second image, we see animals in the wild, maybe in a forest.
The first place is closed, and the second is open.
Both are interesting.
🟠 B1 – Intermediate
These pictures show two different ways to see animals.
In the first one, a man is visiting a zoo, watching monkeys in a fenced area.
In the second, the animals are free, living in nature.
The zoo is safe and easy to visit, but seeing animals in the wild is more natural.
I think both experiences are exciting, but I prefer watching animals in their natural environment.
🟣 B2 – Upper-Intermediate
Both images show people observing animals, but the contexts are different.
The first picture takes place in a zoo, where animals are kept in enclosures.
The second image shows animals living in the wild, perhaps during a nature walk or a safari.
While zoos are more accessible and educational, seeing animals in nature feels more authentic and respectful.
Personally, I find wildlife observation in natural habitats more meaningful.
🔵 C1 – Advanced
These two images contrast structured and natural encounters with animals.
In the first, the zoo offers a safe, curated experience, where the visitor can observe monkeys in a controlled space.
In the second, the animals are in their natural environment, offering a sense of freedom and unpredictability.
Although zoos provide educational benefits, they can’t fully recreate the complexity and beauty of the wild.
For me, the second scene conveys a deeper sense of connection to the natural world.
🔴 C2 – Proficient
These images reflect two fundamentally different relationships with wildlife.
The zoo image illustrates a managed encounter, shaped by human design and educational intent.
The second offers a raw, immersive experience, where observation depends on patience, luck, and respect for the animals' autonomy.
Both scenes raise ethical questions—about access, conservation, and authenticity.
While zoos play a role in awareness and preservation, nothing compares to witnessing animals in their natural context, where the human role shifts from manager to observer.
The emotional and philosophical depth of the second experience far exceeds the predictability of the first.
