Present Tenses to Describe Films & Books

IELTS Grammar >> Talking about film and book plots with present tenses

You probably already know the various reasons for using the present simple and continuous tenses: to talk about facts or habits (present simple), to describe temporary situations or what is happening at the time of speaking (present continuous) or to talk about future timetables or schedules (present simple). However, one very important reason for using these tenses is to describe the events in a book or film. This is a topic that sometimes appears in Part 2 so here’s a chance to practise.

Uses

When we tell a story or anecdote or describe the events in a book or film, we will often use the present tense in order to make the action seem more engaging or dramatic. Study the use of tenses in the following extract from an IELTS Part 2 answer to this question:

Describe a scene from a book or film that you really enjoyed …

I really enjoyed reading Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ and one scene in particular comes to mind. Two of the characters, Linda and her son John, are taken from the place where they are living, to London.  This is the ‘brave new world’ and ideals of love, and family life are despised. Because Linda looks old and unattractive she is given a drug called ‘soma’ in the hope that she will die. Eventually, John gets a phone call and is told his mum is dying in hospital. He rushes to her bedside and sits there watching over her. He remembers how she used to be when she was younger but a group of children spoil the moment when they start making fun of Linda. This event is really important because it shows the difference between the old and the new world. Even the nurse can’t understand why John is unhappy when his mum dies.

The events have been described as if they are happening ‘now’. There are lots of examples of present tenses. The simple present appears most frequently, but there are also examples of the present simple passive such as ‘are taken’, ‘is given’ and ‘is ‘told’. On two occasions the past tense is used to signify a change in time period, ‘used to be’ and ‘when she was younger’. We also have a reference to the future – ‘will die’.

This is an authentic, natural way to describe events in a book or film in English. Making your long turn like this will make a positive impression on the examiner if such a question appears in the exam.

Over to you

Answer the following IELTS-style Part 2 question using present tenses appropriately:

Describe a scene from a book or film that you enjoyed. You should say:
what the book or film is called
who the main characters are
what happens in the scene
and say why you liked it so much.

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