Part 1 : TALKING ABOUT FAMILIAR TOPICS
Conversation with the examiner. The examiner asks speaking questions and
you may have to give information about your interests, studies, career, etc.We
call Part 1 the interview because the interlocutor will ask you questions –
interview you – about yourself. You will not have to speak to the other.
Where You Live Now and Your Home Country
Is it easy to meet new people where you live?
What's the best place to spend a free afternoon in your town?
How expensive is it to go out in the evening where you live?
Could you tell me something about the area where you grew up?
Could you describe your family home to me?
What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited near ….?
Is there anything you would like to learn about your country?
Which area of your country would you like to get to know better?
What do you like about living there?
Tell us about a festival or celebration in [your home country].
Daily Life
Tell us about a day you’ve really enjoyed recently.
Are you planning to do anything special this weekend?
How much time do you spend at home?
What did you do on your last birthday?
Do you like cooking?
What’s your favourite food?
What’s your favourite day of the week?
What’s your favourite part of the day?
Which time of year is your favourite?
Education and Work
Do you use the internet to learn new things?
Do you prefer working on your own or with other people?
What do you think would be the most interesting job to do?
Do you find it easy to study where you live?
What were the most important things you learned at primary school?
Would you prefer to work for a big or small company?
What kind of work would you really like to do in the future?
Are you happier doing mental or physical work?
Can you remember your first English lessons?
Travel and Holidays
Where would you most like to go on holiday in future?
Do you prefer traveling by train or plane?
Do you plan your holidays or decide everything spontaneously?
Have you ever used English while traveling?
Is there a good public transport system in your country?
Entertainment
Do you ever go to concerts?
How important is TV to you?
How much TV do you watch in a week?
Do you like the same TV programmes as your parents?
Tell us about a TV programme you've seen recently.
Do you enjoy going to parties?
How often do you read newspapers?
Do you like shopping?
Where do you like listening to music?
Do you like going to the cinema?
Tell me about your favourite film star.
Tell us about a film you really like.
Do you enjoy playing computer games?
Do you use the internet much?
What do you use the internet for?
Do you ever listen to the radio?
PART 2 : DESCRIBING A PICTURE
This part of the test comprises 2 tasks. First, you or your partner will have to
compare two pictures and answer one question in the process. Second, you or
your partner will be asked a follow-up question after the comparison. When
you make the comparison, your partner will answer the other question and
vice versa.
Timing of the B2 First Speaking Part 2
This part of the test is supposed to last 3 or 4 minutes, and the main elements
that are timed are the following:
1. Candidate A’s comparison + question: 1 minute
2. Candidate B’s follow-up question: 30 seconds
3. Candidate B’s comparison + question: 1 minute
4. Candidate A’s follow-up question: 30 seconds
Examiner’s initial instructions
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like
you to talk about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and
also to answer a question about your partner’s photographs
Candidate A’s response
(introduction) Both of these pictures show people getting some help; the first
one shows a football player who seems to be injured and the second one is
an Asian tourist getting help from a policeman.
(similarities + differences) Although both situations involve someone helping
a person, they are very different. In the first one, the football player needs
help because he’s had an injury and, probably, he can’t walk properly. On
the other hand, in the second picture, the tourist is probably asking for
directions because he might be lost. Also, the footballer is likely to be in
pain, while the tourist may only be a little nervous.
(question) As for how important it is to help these people, I’d say it’s
important in both situations. However, I strongly believe that the footballer
needs more help than the tourist, as his situation is obviously more serious.
Useful vocabulary
Indicating which picture you are talking about
● there are two pictures of
● in the first picture, in the second picture, in both pictures
● the first one, the second one, the picture on the top/bottom, the
picture on the left/right
Contrasting the pictures
● but, so, and
● on the other hand
● in contrast
● whereas
● while
● the other picture is different because
Speculating
● possibly, probably
● might be, may be, could be
● it’s likely that, it’s possible that
● I guess , I imagine, I suppose
● maybe, perhaps
● seems, looks like
Part 3 : COLLABORATIVE TASK
In First (FCE) Speaking Part 3, you speak about a topic together with your
partner for about three minutes. First, the examiner will introduce the topic,
hand you a diagram and give you some time to look at the task. This is
followed by a two-minute discussion about the topic, using the diagram to
guide the conversation. Finally, the examiner will ask you to make a decision
about the best, worst, or most important aspect of the task.
There are four criteria that the assessor uses to evaluate your speaking:
● Grammar and Vocabulary
● Discourse Management
● Pronunciation
● Interactive Communication
Useful phrases
Getting Started
● Which one shall we start with?
● What do you think, Bob?
● Bob, you know a lot about [topic]. What’s your opinion on it?
Agreeing
● I completely agree.
● I couldn’t agree more.
● You’re right.
● I see your point.
● I know what you mean.
● I agree with you on that.
● Exactly!
● Absolutely!
● Definitely!
● That’s a good point.
Disagreeing
● I don’t agree with you.
● I totally disagree.
● I think it would be better to…
● I’m not so sure about that.
● Maybe, but what about…?
● Yeah, but the thing is…
● The problem with what you said is…
● I respectfully disagree with you.
● I see where you’re coming from, but…
Changing topics
● Let’s move on.
● What’s your opinion on [topic]?
● What do you think about [topic]?
● What are your thoughts on this one? [pointing to topic]
● I wonder how you feel about that topic?
Asking questions
● Do you agree?
● What’s your idea?
● What do you think? / Why do you think that?
● Do you have anything to add?
● Do you have any other comments?
● Do you know what I mean?
● What are your thoughts?
● How do you feel about it?
Reaching a Decision
● I think we can eliminate [topic]. Don’t you think?
● Well, it’s definitely not [topic].
● So then, what do you think is the best one?
● I guess you think we should choose [topic]?
● Are we both in favour of [topic]?
● I don’t think we’re going to agree on this!
● Let’s agree to disagree on this.
● Ok, so we agree.
PART 4: OVERVIEW BASED ON TASK 3
Top Tips
● The questions in part 4 are not written down, so you have to listen
carefully. If you don't understand the question, ask the examiner to
repeat it.
● Look at the examiner when you give your answer, but then look at your
partner when you are talking to each other.
● Always explain your answers. 'Yes I think having computers in schools is
a good idea because the children get used to using technology and it
will make it easier for them to get a job in the future.' If you don't explain
your answers, the examiner will always ask 'why?' It's much better if you
say why on your own.
● 'I don't know' is a BAD answer. You can say, 'Oh, what a question! I never
thought about it before, but maybe...' That gives you a little bit of time to
think of something to say.
● Be interested in what your partner says. Agree or disagree with them as
in part 3. There are no right or wrong answers, only good or bad
conversations. You can practice this if you're taking an FCE course - in
the class always ask your partner's opinions on topics and always ask
'why?'
● Use some interesting vocabulary, and try to use a variety of words. e.g.
instead of 'good' you might say amazing;interesting;costly; over-rated or
another word you have learned. All those words fit in this sentence:
'Giving iPads to schoolchildren is a(n) ______________ idea.'
● When the exam is over, say goodbye but don't ask how well you did. They
aren't allowed to tell you and it just puts them in an embarrassing
situation. Also, don't start laughing or speaking your own language until
you have left the room - it's not a job interview but there's no reason to
make a bad impression.
Which Questions Do They Ask?
They will ask questions about the topics from part 3. Some possible topics are:
Travel
Your Home Country/City
Learning English
Shopping
Free Time
TV
Work
