PRACTICE TEST
SPEAKING TEST
| TIME ALLOWED: | 14 minutes |
| NUMBER OF PARTS: | 4 |
| PERCENTAGE OF FINAL SCORE: | 20% |
There are four parts to this paper. In the real exam it takes place in the presence of two examiners and another candidate. You speak to one of the examiners in parts 1 and 2, and to the other candidate in parts 3 and 4. It lasts 14 minutes. In these practice tests, this paper is conducted over the phone, and you will speak only with the examiner. You will need to look at the pictures that are shown in this part of the exam.
Contact your tutor and arrange to speak to him/her by phone for about 20 minutes.
(In the actual examination, this section will be done face-to-face with an interlocutor and with one other candidate - Candidate B - and will last about 14 minutes.)
Part 1 (Interview)
First, the examiners introduce themselves and confirm your identity. Then, you introduce yourself. You will have a conversation with the examiners. They may ask you questions about your interests, your studies or your career, etc.
You will need to give information and express opinions about various topics. This part lasts for 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3).Sample topics and questions:
You and your family
Do you come from a big family?
Do you work or study?
What do you like doing in your free time?
Tell me about your hobbies.
Transport
How have you come here today?
Where are you from?
What different types of public transport are available in your town? / Which do you use and why?
Do you prefer travelling by public or private transport? / Why?
Likes and dislikes
How do you spend your evenings? / What do you do? / Why?
Do you prefer to spend time alone or to socialise? / Why?
Tell us about a film or book that you really like.
Do you like cooking? / What sort of things do you cook?
The past
What did you do yesterday?
What did you do last weekend?
What did you do for your last holidays?
Tell us about where you grew up.
Special occasions
Do you normally celebrate special occasions with friends or family? / Why?
Tell us about a festival or celebration in your country.
What did you do on your last birthday?
Are you going to do anything special this weekend? / Where are you going to go? / What are you going to do?
Where you live
Have you ever travelled abroad?
How long have you lived in your town?
Do you like your town? / Why/Why not?
Would you like to live in a different town? / Why/Why not?
Media
How much TV do you watch in a week? / Would you prefer to watch more or less TV?
Tell us about a TV programme you've seen recently.
Do you use the Internet much? / Why/Why not?
Do you ever listen to the radio? / What type of programmes do you like? / Why?
(In the actual examination, you will also be encouraged to talk to Candidate B.)
Part 2 (Long turn)
In this part, the examiner will give you two photographs and ask you to talk about them. You have to speak for 1 minute without interruption. In the actual exam, the examiner then asks the other candidate to comment on your photographs for about 30 seconds. The other candidate is given a different set of photographs and you have to listen and comment when they have finished speaking. The question you have to answer about your photographs is written at the top of the page to remind you what you should talk about.
In this part you will talk on your own, comparing, describing, expressing opinions and speculating. This part lasts for 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of 3).
Your tutor will ask you questions about these two pictures. You should be prepared to discuss the pictures in relation to your own experience.
What skills do you need to do these voluntary jobs?
(In the actual examination, Candidate B will then talk about his/her two pictures, and then you will be asked to talk briefly about each other's pictures.)
Part 3 (Collaborative task)
Not available in demo