Test 2 Exam practice Speaking Part 1

Page 60 Action plan

If you have a partner, answer these questions in pairs. Tip! Don’t spend too long thinking before you
reply to the examiner’s questions.

Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of three)

Interlocutor First, we’d like to know something about you.

• What do you like about living in your home town?
• What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? Why?
• Which musical instrument would you like to play really well? Why?
• What is your earliest memory of your school days?
• Which school subject do/did you most enjoy? Why?

Tip! Think of a different way of saying

something if you don’t know a particular
word.

Tip! Don’t worry about getting every factual

detail correct (e.g. the exact year you
started school). It’s a language test, not
a job interview!

100 Test 2 Exam practice Speaking Part 1

Test 2 Training Speaking Part 2

Page 61 Task information

Revising expressions
1 Are statements 1–10 about Speaking Part 2 true (T) or false (F)?
Correct the false statements.
1 Each candidate has to discuss two photos.
2 Each candidate has to speak for two minutes.
3 When you see the photos, you should plan what you’re going to say.
4 You need to compare the photos and also answer the question about them.
5 You must describe everything you can see in both pictures.
6 You can correct yourself if you make a mistake when you’re speaking.
7 You should check your watch to see when you have to stop.
8 You should listen to your partner without interrupting them.
9 You need to be ready to answer a question about your partner’s photos.
10 At the end of your partner’s turn, you can comment on what he/she has said.

2 If possible, work in pairs. Think of three expressions to:

1 say which picture you’re talking about
The picture on the left shows …
2 compare the pictures
3 contrast the pictures
4 say what you think is possible in the pictures
5 say which of two things you’d prefer to do.

Speaking Part 2 Test 2 Training 101

 Test 2 Exam practice Speaking Part 2

Page 63 Action plan

1 Look at the exam instructions below and photos Tip! Remember that the examiner will give you spoken instructions
A, B, C and D on pages C6–C7. for the task, but you can also read them at the top of the page.
1 What does each of A–D show? Tip! As soon as you see the pictures, start thinking about what you
2 What does Candidate A have to do? will say, making a mental note of any useful vocabulary you
can use. If you’re not sure what’s in the pictures, don’t worry.
3 What does Candidate B have to do? You can use expressions like it seems that …, it might be … or
perhaps ….
2 If you have a partner, do this exam task in pairs.
Tip! Don’t be so worried about making mistakes that you say very
little. The examiners can’t give you good marks if you don’t
speak enough.

Part 2

Interlocutor (Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs on page C6. They show
people writing in different situations.
I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say why you think the people are
writing.
(Candidate B), Do you prefer to write to people by hand or by using a keyboard?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs on page C7. They show snow
falling in different places. I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say how
the snow might affect the different people.
(Candidate A), How would you feel if you were in a car in that weather?

Tip! When you practise for Part

2, if possible get a friend to
time you as you speak. Try
to keep speaking for the full
minute!

102 Test 2 Exam practice Speaking Part 2

Test 2 Training Speaking Part 3

Page 64 Task information

Revising expressions
1 Fill in the gaps in this text about Speaking Part 3, using the words in the box.
There is one word that you do not need.

all each two agreement

reasons decision polite suggestions
turns diagram

In Part 3 the examiner gives you a (1) and explains what you
have to do. Then you discuss (2) idea or possibility shown, taking
(3) with your partner so that you both speak for about the same
amount of time. At this stage you make (4) , for instance by saying
how about …?, and give your own opinions, where possible giving (5)
to support them. You can disagree with your partner, but if you do, it’s important to
be (6) . After about (7) minutes, when you have talked
about (8) the things shown, the examiner will ask you to make a
(9) about which of them to choose, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t
reach an (10) with each other. The important thing is to keep talking
for another minute.

2 If possible, work in pairs. Think of three expressions to:

1 make a suggestion
2 ask if someone agrees with your suggestion
3 agree with somebody’s suggestion
4 disagree politely with somebody’s suggestion
5 give reasons for disagreeing with somebody’s suggestion.

Speaking Part 3 Test 2 Training 103

 Test 2 Exam practice Speaking Part 3

Page 65 Action plan

1 Study the exam instructions and the diagram on Tip! Take turns with your partner to start talking about each
page C8. thing. Don’t worry if the other candidate seems to know
more English than you. Make sure you speak for about
1 What kind of things does the diagram show?
the same length of time as him/her.
2 What two things do you have to do?
Tip! You can check with the examiner – or your partner –
if you’re not sure what you have to do. Don’t try to
2 If you have a partner, do this exam task in pairs.
talk about something different from the topic in the
instructions.

Tip! There’s no right or wrong decision, and it doesn’t

matter if you can’t agree on a decision.

Part 3

Interlocutor Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.
(3 minutes for groups of three)

I’d like you to imagine that a group of young people are going to spend a weekend walking in the
mountains. Here are some of the items they are thinking of taking with them and a question for you
to discuss.
First you have some time to look at the task.
Now, talk to each other about why they should take these items.
Thank you. Now you have a minute to decide which is the most important of these items to take.

104 Test 2 Exam practice Speaking Part 3

Test 2 Training Speaking Part 4

Page 66 Task information

Revising expressions; predicting discussion points

1 Choose the correct alternative in italics in these sentences about Speaking Part 4.
1 The topic of Part 4 links and extends / is different from the topic of Part 3.
2 If the examiner asks you a question that you don’t understand, you can see it written
down / ask him or her to repeat it.
3 If you don’t know any facts about the topic, say what you think about it / say nothing at all.
4 During Part 4 you speak to the other candidate all the time / the person who speaks to you.
5 You are allowed to / are not allowed to disagree with what your partner says.
6 You should encourage your partner to say more / less about the topic.
7 You should take no notice of / listen carefully to your partner while he or she is speaking.
8 At the end of the test, you should shake hands with / say ‘goodbye’ and ‘thank you’ to
the examiners.

2 If possible, work in pairs. Think of three expressions to:

1 ask for someone’s opinion
2 give your opinion
3 try to change someone’s opinion.

3 Think about the topic of Part 3 (walking in the countryside). Tip! Involve your partner in the discussion and
give him/her plenty of time to speak.
What issues do you think the examiner might ask you to discuss?

Speaking Part 4 Test 2 Training 105

 Test 2 Exam practice Speaking   Part 4

Page 67 Action plan

Work in a group of three if possible. Decide who will be the ‘examiner’ and who
will be the ‘candidates’. Answer these questions as fully as you can.

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

Interlocutor Select any of the following questions, as appropriate.
• What do young people gain from the experience of going on
adventure holidays?
• Why do some people enjoy going camping in the countryside?
• Do you think that visitors to the countryside damage the
environment? Why?/Why not?
• At what age should young people be allowed to go on holiday
without their parents? Why do you think so?
• What are the biggest dangers if you are walking in the mountains?
• Should people who take unnecessary risks in the countryside have
to pay if they need to be rescued? Why?/Why not?

Select any of the following prompts, as appropriate.

• What do you think?

• Do you agree?
• And you?

Thank you. That is the end of the test.

Tip! Remember that there are no correct or incorrect
answers or opinions. The important thing is to say
what you think!

106 Test 2 Exam practice Speaking Part 4