CAE EXTRA : Extra speaking practice part 2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4,5

CAE Speaking Exam: Part 2

Many students think part 2 of the CAE Speaking paper is one of the trickiest parts of the exam. This is because they do not think they can speak about a topic without pausing for 1 minute. After taking part in this lesson, you will know how to do this.

The format of Part 2

In Part 2 you need to talk about two pictures from a choice of three. The examiner tells you to compare the pictures and answer two questions. You will be able to see the two questions above the pictures. You should then talk for 1 minute. You should listen to the other candidate(s) as you will be asked a question about what they say. Your answer to this question should be approximately 30 seconds

Example Task

At this stage of the interview the examiner will say something on the lines of:

Q: In this part of the exam I'm going to give each of you three photographs and I'd like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute and also to answer a question briefly about your partner's photographs.

Q: Here are your pictures (Candidate A). They show people in different educational settings. I'd like you to talk about two of these photos and compare the settings and say how the students may be feeling in each one.

Q: All right?

Compare the settings and say how the students may be feeling in each one.

Notice there are TWO instructions here: first to 'compare and contrast' the photographs and also to speculate on how the students 'may be feeling'. 

In Part 2 you are required to show you can do more than simply describe and will need to speculate or hypothesize on a particular topic or scene.

Tips!

1. The photo set will have a general theme but try to find two that are either very similar or very different in some way. This will help you to compare and/or contrast the two pictures. In the example above, pictures two and three show two contrasting educational settings: the formal lecture theatre in picture two compared to the relaxed outdoor scene in picture three.

2. In terms of hypothesizing, pictures two and three offer a good opportunity to speculate on how students in each contrasting situation might be feeling. Think about opportunities for hypothesizing when choosing your pictures.

3. Signpost the end of your talk by adding a personal reaction to the pictures. For example:

'The two people in picture three look like they're enjoying themselves but personally, I think I'd prefer to spend my study time in a lecture theatre where I'd be more able to concentrate on learning'.

4. Many people preparing for the CAE oral exam worry about not having enough to say in the time available or not having enough time to express their ideas. The best way to get the timing right is to practise making short talks on various topics on your own. (Or in front of a friend if you're feeling brave!)

What language should I use to speculate?

Present

They could/might/may be…………..

They look as if they……………….

Their expressions suggest that……………….

Past

They could/might/may have just + past participle (very recent events)

They must have just + past participle (very recent events)

Work in pairs and follow these steps.

1. Student A, complete the speaking task on the next screen. Student B, time Student A and then answer the question.

2. Then go to the last screen. Student B, complete the speaking task there. Student A, time student B and then answer the question.

Student A: Your pictures show important events in people’s lives. Compare two of the pictures and say how the people might have prepared for these events and how they might be feeling.

Student B: Which of these events do you think would be most memorable? Why?

Sample Answers

The wedding would certainly have taken a great deal of preparation. The bride and groom would have had to book a venue, send out invitations, buy outfits, organise the catering – and that’s just the start of it. To compare that to the picture of the driving test, I’d guess that the driver has spent time doing a different kind of preparation – probably practising, perhaps having some lessons with a professional driving instructor to get her up to scratch. I suppose the couple might have done some practice too. People often have wedding rehearsals the day before so that everyone is clear on where to stand and what to say. In both pictures, the people look pretty happy. I’d say from their expressions that the couple are absolutely elated, whereas the driver is feeling more of a sense of satisfaction at her achievement.”

Student B: Your pictures show moments that people are sharing. Compare two of the pictures and say how important it might be to share moments like these with others and how long the people might remember these moments.

Student A: Which of these moments do you think has the most significance for the people? Why?

The Speaking Activity

Work in pairs taking turns to describe the same set of pictures (choosing two out of three). Each of you has a table of useful expressions you should include in your description. The objective is to use as many expressions as possible. Every time you use one,  cross it out. There are two minutes to complete the task. The partner listens for mistakes and checks whether target structures are used correctly. After finishing the activity, see who managed to use the most expressions from the table.