Bluff Description

Several students each receive a picture to describe; one receives nothing and must invent a description. The class interviews them all and tries to identify the bluffer.

Procedure

1. Set up: Choose 3–4 volunteers (Group 1). Give each a sealed envelope — all contain a picture on the lesson theme except one, which is blank.
2. Prepare: Group 1 studies their picture (or imagines one) for 2–3 minutes. The rest of the class (Group 2) brainstorms questions to ask about pictures on the theme.
3. Interview: Group 2 interviews each member of Group 1 in rotation (3–4 min each). The bluffer must describe an imagined scene convincingly.
4. Deliberate: Group 2 discusses who they think had no picture, giving reasons.
5. Reveal: Group 1 shows their pictures (or empty envelope). Discuss what gave the bluffer away — or didn't.

Variations

• Pair version: One student describes a real picture, the other invents one — their partner decides which is real.
• Detail challenge: After the reveal, students study the actual pictures, then describe them to a partner who draws what they hear.
• Student-sourced: Students bring their own photos (holiday, pet, room) — one describes a photo they don't actually have.

Tips

• Choose a confident, creative student for the blank envelope — it makes or breaks the activity.
• Theme the pictures to match your lesson topic (a day out, a holiday, a meal) so language is relevant.
• Emergent language: question forms, present continuous for describing scenes, prepositions of place, adjectives.