Speaking: Parts 1 and 4

FCE Speaking Test: Part 1 (Interview)

Tests ability to:

use language for social purposes, e.g. making introductions, answering questions about yourself.

Part 1 of the Speaking test lasts about 2 minutes.

The examiner will ask some ‘getting-to-know-you’ questions perhaps to find out where you come from, your interests, your family or your studies etc.

Example Questions

Q: Where are you from?

Q: Tell me something about your family.

Q: What did you enjoy most when you were at primary school?

Q: Do you have any plans for a holiday this year?

Q: Do you play any musical instruments?

Tips!

Giving full answers to the examiner’s questions will help get the interview off to a good start.

1) Avoid giving short, uncommunicative replies.

Q: Tell me something about your family.

A: I live with my mum, dad and sister and brother. (Don’t stop there!) My sister’s younger than me and still goes to school. My brother works as a computer technician.

2) Avoid short, ‘yes’, ‘no’ answers

2) Avoid short, ‘yes’, ‘no’ answers to closed questions. (These are questions beginning ‘Have you …’, ‘Do you …’, ‘Is it …’ etc which can be answered simply with a yes or no answer).

Q: Do you have any plans for a holiday this year?

A: Yes. (Don’t stop there!) If I get the chance I’d like to visit my friend in Germany. We haven’t seen each other for a while and I’m really looking forward to seeing him and getting to know Germany.

Q: Do you play any musical instruments?

A: No. (Don’t stop there!) We had music lessons when I was at school but I was never very good.

3) Offer examples to help you explain a statement.

Q: Why are you preparing for the FCE exam?

A: No reason really. (Don’t stop there!) I enjoy learning English and I think it would be good to have a qualification to show my level.

Now we are going to watch Vicky, Jay and Craig

Think about :

How did Vicky and Jay do?

What could Jay have done to have improved on his grade?

Now it's your turn

Get into pairs: A and B

Take turns to practice the questions you may be asked in your speaking exam! - 1 minute each!

Q: Where are you from?

Q: Tell me something about your family.

Q: What subject do you enjoy most at school?

Q: Do you have any plans for a holiday this year?

Q: How do you spend your free time?

FCE Speaking Test: Part 4 (Interview)

Tests ability to:

use language to express and justify an opinion, to agree and disagree etc.

Part 4 of the Speaking test lasts about 4 minutes.

the examiner will join both candidates in a discussion about the general topic that appeared in Part 3.

Example Questions

Q: Which sports are popular with young people in your country?

Q: Some people say people don’t participate in sport as much as they should. Do you think this is true?

Q: Do you think team sports are more fun than individual sports

Now we are going to listen to Jay, Vicky and Craig again

We only have time to watch a short part.... but try and watch the whole thing at home!

Now it's your turn - Part 4

Get into pairs: A and B: Have a discussion using these questions, that  you may be asked in your speaking exam! - 4 minutes in total!

Q:  Which sports are popular with young people in your country?

Q: Some people say people don’t participate in sport as much as they should. Do you think this is true?

Q: Do you think team sports are more fun than individual sports

Q: Some people don't like going to the gym, why do you think this is?

Q: Where is a good place to keep fit in your town?

Q:Some people only like to watch sport on TV instead of doing it themselves, what do you think about this?

Tips!

Giving full answers to the examiner’s questions will help get the interview off to a good start.

Tip One

1. Again, as with earlier sections of the test, avoid short, ‘yes’, ‘no’ answers to the examiner’s questions.

Tip Two

2. Continue to work with your partner. Respond constructively and show interest in things he or she says

At home watch Bruce and Monica!

Think about :

How did they do?

What could they have done to have improved on their grades?

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