FCE Speaking Practice

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FCE Speaking Practice

This section provides practice for the four parts of FCE Paper 5, the speaking paper. There are five sections

practising the four parts of Paper 5: one section practises part 1, two sections practise part 2 and two sections

practise parts ! ".

Each section provides practice for the ski##s needed to answer the t$pe of %uestions asked in each part. Each

section shou#d take appro&i'ate#$ "5 'inutes.

Overview of the Speaking Paper for FCE

" parts to co'p#ete in 1" 'inutes per pair of candidates

Part 1 Interview

Each candidate answers the inter#ocuter(s %uestions a)out the'se#ves.

Part 2 Individual long turn

Candidate * ta#ks for a 'inute a)out a pair of photographs, after which Candidate + is invited to 'ake a

)rief co''ent on the topic of the photographs. Then Candidate + is given 2 different photographs and ta#ksa)out the' for a 'inute, after which, Candidate * is invited to co''ent on the topic of the photographs .

Part 3 Collaborative task

Candidates work together to carr$ out a task )ased on so'e pictures. This part #asts 'inutes.

Part 4 is!ussion

The inter#ocuter wi## ask )oth candidates so'e %uestions which are re#ated to the topic in part . This part

#asts for " 'inutes.

Part 1 Persona# infor'ation

n this part $ou practise asking and answering %uestions a)out $ourse#f, $our interests and preferences. -ou a#so

work on re#evant voca)u#ar$ and stud$ so'e e&a'p#es of word stress.

Part 2a Eating out

n this section, $ou practise descri)ing two photographs. -ou a#so stud$ pronunciation, and sentence stress.

Part 2) Freeti'e activities

n this section, $ou #isten to so'eone co'paring and contrasting photographs in a speaking e&a', and $ou

practise doing the sa'e $ourse#f. -ou #ook at how to arrange ideas in order to do this.

Part ! "a Sports

n this section $ou hear two students doing a task together. -ou then #ook at so'e genera# %uestions that the

e&a'iner 'a$ ask and practise answering the'.

Part ! ") The shopping centre

n this section, $ou #isten to two students discussing p#ans for a new shopping centre and #earn so'e usefu#

e&pressions used during si'i#ar conversations.

FCE Speaking "est# Part 1 $Interview%
http://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-1.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-2.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-3.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-4.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-5.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-1.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-2.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-3.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-4.htmhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-fce-speaking-5.htm


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"ests abilit& to# use #anguage for socia# purposes, e.g. 'aking introductions, answering %uestions a)out

$ourse#f.

Part 1 of the FCE Speaking test #asts a)out 'inutes. The e&a'iner wi## ask so'e (gettingtoknow$ou(

%uestions perhaps to find out where $ou co'e fro', $our interests, $our fa'i#$ or $our studies etc.

E'a(ple )uestions

/:Where are you from?/:Tell me something about your family.

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

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

Q: Do you play any musical instruments?

"ips*

0iving fu## answers to the e&a'iner(s %uestions wi## he#p get the interview off to a good start.

1 *void giving short, unco''unicative rep#ies.

/: Tell me something about your family.*:I live with my mum dad and sister and brother. 3on(t stop there4!y sister"s younger than me and still

goes to school. !y brother wor#s as a computer technician.

2 *void short, ($es(, (no( answers to c#osed %uestions. These are %uestions )eginning (ave $ou ...(, (3o $ou ...(,

(s it ...( etc which can )e answered si'p#$ with a $es or no answer.

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

*: $es. %Don"t stop there&' If I get the chance I"d li#e to visit my friend in (ermany. We haven"t seen each other

for a while and I"m really loo#ing forward to seeing him and getting to #now (ermany.

/:Do you play any musical instruments?

*:)o. %Don"t stop there&' We had music lessons when I was at school but I was never very good.

6ffer e&a'p#es to he#p $ou e&p#ain a state'ent.

/: Why are you preparing for the *+, e-am?

*:)o reason really. %Don"t stop there&' I enjoy learning ,nglish and I thin# it would be good to have a

ualification to show my level.

FCE Speaking "est# Part 2 $+ong "urn%

"ests abilit& to# speak at #ength coherent#$, use #anguage to descri)e, co'pare and contrast and co''ent upon

a topic.

Part 2 of the FCE Speaking test #asts )etween " 'inutes 7 'inutes for groups of three. The e&a'iner gives

$ou two photographs and $our partner a different pair of photographs. -ou have to speak a)out $our two photos

without interruption for a)out 1 'inute and a#so answer a %uestion a)out $our partner(s photographs when he or

she has finished their #ong turn.

E'a(ple "ask

The interview wi## )egin with the e&a'iner sa$ing so'ething #ike:

/:In this part of the test I"m going to give each of you two photographs. I"d li#e you to tal# about your

photographs on your own for about / minute and also to answer a short uestion about your partner"sphotographs.

/:%+andidate 0' here are your photographs. They showpeople participating in sporting activities.

/:I"d li#e you to compare the two photographs and say why sport is important to people.

/:0ll right?


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8otice there are T96 instructions here: first to (co'pare( the two photographs and a#so (to sa$ wh$( sport is

i'portant to peop#e. n Part 2 candidates need to show the$ can co'pare )ut a#so give an opinion.

The e&a'iner wi## then ask Candidate + a short %uestion a)out these photographs.

/: Thank $ou Candidate *. Candidate + which sport wou#d $ou 'ost #ike to tr$

Candidate + wi## then do their #ong turn with a different set of photographs and at the end, Candidate * wi## )e

asked a short %uestion.

"ips*

1. ;isten to the instructions carefu##$ and 'ake sure $ou know what $ou have to ta#k a)out. f $ou don(t

understand the instructions $ou shou#d ask the e&a'iner to repeat the':

1,-cuse me could you say that again?1

1I"m sorry but would you mind repeating that?1

2. The %uestion wi## he#p $ou with the structure of $our ta#k.

* Start with a genera# su''ar$ of the topic:

"These two photographs show people involved in a sport."

+ Then 'ove on to a co'parison of the two pictures, using words to he#p e&p#ain the co'parison:

Bothphotographs were ta#en outside and each ofthe people are concentrating hard on what they"re doing.

"The top photo shows a woman roc# climbing whilst the bottom photo is of a young s#ating ... It loo#s li#e the

woman is out in the natural world whereasthe boy is in a man2made s#ating par# ..... etc."


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C Fina##$ give $our opinion with e&a'p#es, again using signposting words and e&pressions to he#p the

e&a'iner fo##ow $our argu'ent.

"In my opinion sport is important for people in lots of ways. For example it"s a way to #eep fit of course but

we alsomeet new people andcan get a lot of enjoyment from a sport ... etc."

". Practise 'aking short one'inute ta#ks as often as possi)#e to get an idea for how #ong 1 'inute fee#s #ike.

Ti'e $ourse#f and ask a friend for feed)ack.

FCE Speaking "est# Part 3# $Collaborative "ask%

"ests abilit& to# use #anguage to discuss, e&press an opinion, to agree and disagree, specu#ate and eva#uate etc.

n Part of the test, which #asts a)out 'inutes, the e&a'iner wi## give )oth candidates instructions and a set

of visua#s and the candidates wi## have to tr$ to reach so'e for' of agree'ent.

E'a(ple "ask

The e&a'iner wi## sa$ so'ething #ike:

/:)ow I"d li#e you to tal# about something together for about 3 minutes./:I"d li#e you to imagine that you are planning a wee#2long touring holiday with your partner around the

country that you"re studying in. $ou want to see as much as possible but don"t want to spend too much money

on transport. 4oo# at the types of transport shown in the photographs.

/:*irst tal# to each other about how useful each of these forms of transport might be for your holiday. Then

decide which one would be best.

/:0ll right?

8otice there are T96 instructions here: first to ta#k a)out each for' of transport then to (decide( which one is

)est for $our ho#ida$. This 'eans $ou have to do 'ore than


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"5ow about you?"

"Do you thin# ...?"

2. ;isten carefu##$( to what $our partner sa$s and respond to co''ents he or she 'akes to he#p the discussion

f#ow. For e&a'p#e:

"Do65ave60re you?"

"Don"t65aven"t60ren"t you?"

"Do you thin# so?

"7eally?"

. f $ou disagree tr$ e&pressing this po#ite#$. For e&a'p#e:

(I see what you mean but ...(

(I can see your point but ...(

"8ut don"t you thin# ..."

". =se e&pressions to a##ow $ourse#f ti'e to think. For e&a'p#e:

(That"s a good uestion.(

(Well let me thin# ...(

"It"s difficult to say ..."

5. -ou(## possi)#$ find $ou don(t understand so'ething $our partner has said. f this happens, take contro# with

si'p#e %uestions #ike those )e#ow to he#p $ou dea# positive#$ with the situation. This wi## a#so give $ou the

chance to i'press the e&a'iner with $our co''unication ski##s.

* f $ou didn(t %uite understand a word or phrase espond constructive#$ and show interest in things he or she sa$s.


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I,"-O.C"IO,

This page descri)es the ora# speaking e&a' for the Ca')ridge FCE First Certificate in Eng#ish e&a'.

-ou usua##$ take the speaking e&a' together with one other student.

The e&a' #asts a)out 1" 'inutes and has four parts:

$1% Interview $3 (inutes%Each of $ou wi## )e asked )asic %uestions a)out $our ho'e town, fa'i#$, work or stud$, #eisure and future

p#ans.

$2% Individual tasks $4 (inutes%

Each of $ou wi## )e asked to co'pare two co#our photographs and e&p#ain $our persona# fee#ings a)out the'

$ou wi## )e asked to speak for 1 'inute, without an$ interruption. -ou wi## a#so )e asked to give $our opinion

a)out the other student(s photographs $ou wi## )e e&pected to speak for a)out 2? seconds.

$3% /oint task $3 (inutes%

-ou wi## )e shown so'e pictures. -ou wi## )e asked to discuss these with the other student and to 'ake a

decision. So'eti'es $ou wi## )e asked to agree on the conc#usion, and so'eti'es $ou wi## )e to#d that $ou 'a$'ake different decisions.

$4% "hree0wa& dis!ussion $4 (inutes%

-ou wi## )e asked to discuss together with the other student and the e&a'iner so'e ideas that are connected

with the


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To avoid wasting ti'e, 'ake it c#ear when $ou have finished ta#king. For e&a'p#e, sa$ so'ething #ike:

That"s all I can thin# of at the moment

ractice

+efore the e&a', practice the test with another student if $ou a#read$ know the other student who wi## )e

taking the speaking test with $ou, ask hi'her to practice with $ou.

-ou 'a$ find it usefu# to pa$ for so'e private #essons with an Eng#ish teacher to prepare. f $ou do this

together with a friend then the #esson 'a$ )e cheaper for $ou, and $ou can practice the speaking test in a 'ore

rea#istic wa$.

SPEI,# Interview 'inutes a)out 1.5 'inutes for each candidate

The e&a'iner wi## ask $ou so'e short %uestions a)out $ourse#f

To prepare for this part of the test, think a)out short answers to t$pica# %uestions. So'e e&a'p#es are shown

)e#ow

+efore the interview $ou wi## )e asked to fi## in a sheet giving $our first na'e, fa'i#$ na'e, ho'e town and

countr$A $ou shou#d hand this to the interviewer. The interviewer 'a$ ask $ou how to pronounce $our na'e.

our ho(e town 5 village

8a'e: 9hat is the na'e of $our ho'e town pronounce it in the Eng#ish wa$

;ocation:

9here is the town #ocated

s it near to the capita# cit$ or an$ 'a


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Pets: 3o $ou have an$ pets

our work or stud&

8ow:*re $ou working or stud$ing at the 'o'ent

Can $ou te## 'e so'ething a)out $ourse#f

Previous: 9hat were $ou doing )efore $ou started $our current work or studies

Eng#ish:

9h$ are $ou stud$ing Eng#ish

9here are $ou stud$ing

ow #ong have $ou )een stud$ing Eng#ish

+eisure

o))ies:9hat do $ou #ike doing in $our spare ti'e

3o $ou have an$ ho))ies

usic: 9hat kind of 'usic do $ou #ike

Sports: 3o $ou #ike sports

o#ida$s: ow do $ou #ike to spend $our ho#ida$s

>eading: 3o $ou en


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There are different wa$s in which $ou can refer to the pictures. For e&a'p#e:

The first picture referring to the one on the #eft or on topA the secondother picture referring to the one on the

right or on the )otto'

The picture on the #eft the #efthand pictureA the picture on the right the righthand picture

The top picture the picture on the top the upper pictureA the )otto' picture the picture at the )otto' the

#ower picture

*fter introducing the pictures, $ou 'a$ )e a)#e to refer to the' using a su)


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E&a'iner: Can $ou te## 'e so'ething a)out 8ara

-uko:8ara was once the capita# cit$ of Gapan.

t contains 'an$ o#d te'p#es and is fa'ous for its deer park.

E&a'iner: 3o $ou have a #arge fa'i#$, *#e&

*#e&: 8ot rea##$. (' an on#$ chi#d. #ive with '$ parents. 9e have a cat ca##ed To''$.

E&a'iner: 9hat a)out $ou, -uko

-uko:

have one e#der )rother and two $ounger sisters.

#ive with '$ 'other and father and one of '$ grand'others.

9e don(t have an$ pets.

E&a'iner: ow #ong have $ou )een stud$ing Eng#ish, *#e&

*#e&: studied Eng#ish at schoo# )etween the ages of e#even and si&teen.

(ve )een stud$ing at a #anguage schoo# in ;ondon since Septe')er #ast $ear.

E&a'iner: ow do $ou #ike to spend $our ho#ida$s, -uko

-uko:

#ike trave##ing around Gapan with one of '$ sisters.

a#so en


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Two of the' are white and two of the' are )rown.

The$ are wa#king in #ine.

* white car has stopped and is waiting for the' to 'ove. a$)e there is a #ong traffic e'e')er, -uko, $ou have on#$ a)out a 'inute for this, so don(t worr$ if interrupt $ou.

*#right


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-uko:

1 'inute

understand.

;et 'e see. First#$, wi## descri)e the upper photo.

This shows a path through a forest. t is a we##'ade path.

6n the #efthand side there is a )ench where peop#e can rest if the$ are fee#ing tired.

n the distance can see a sign showing which wa$ to go.

a$)e this path is 'aintained )$ the #oca# counci# or )$ the 8ationa# Trust.

The #ower picture shows a path through a fie#d.

t isn(t 'aintained as we## as the other path.t #ooks #ike a road for a far'er(s car or tractor, not for peop#e.

There aren(t so 'an$ trees in this picture. There is one tree in the foreground, and so'e others in

the )ackground.

To the right of the path is a fie#d fu## of $e##ow f#owers. don(t know what kind of p#ant it is.

The $e##ow f#owers 'ake this picture 'ore co#ourfu# than the other one, which is 'ost#$ green.

think )oth photos were taken in su''er, )ecause the sun is shining and the trees and f#owers

are growing we##.

wou#d prefer to wa#k on the path shown in the top picture.

t #ooks 'ore ro'antic want to go there with '$ )o$friend.

f it is a hot da$, there is a #ot of shade under the trees and we can sit down on the )ench and

have a picnic.

E&a'iner: Thank $ou, -uko. *#e&, in which p#ace wou#d $ou prefer to )e

*#e&:

2? seconds

prefer the p#ace shown in the )otto' picture.

The #and is %uite f#at, so $ou can see far into the distance.

$ ho'e town is surrounded )$ 'ountains, so it is unusua# to see that kind of scener$ there.

wou#d #ike to c$c#e a#ong that path with '$ friends.

E&a'iner: Thank $ou.

$3% /oint task $3 (inutes%

E&a'iner:

8ow, (d #ike $ou to ta#k a)out so'ething together for a)out three 'inutes. ('


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E&a'iner:

Ta#k to each other a)out how usefu# $ou find each of the wa$s of stud$ing, and then agree with

each other on three that $ou wou#d )oth reco''end to a friend.

-ou have on#$ a)out three 'inutes for this, so, once again, don(t worr$ if stop $ou and p#easespeak so that we can hear $ou. *#right

-uko: *#right.

*#e&: 6.

-uko: So, *#e&, #et(s take turns to choose a 'ethod of stud$ing. 9hich wa$ do $ou #ike )est

*#e&: think that #earning Eng#ish on a co'puter is the )est wa$. There is a #ot of usefu# infor'ation

on the internet.

-uko:

-es, agree. 9e can stud$ at an$ ti'e )$ ourse#ves. +ut find Eng#ish conversation 'ost

difficu#t, so ta#king to peop#e is good for 'e.

*#e&:eeting peop#e is en


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*#e&: 9e )oth see'ed to think co'puters are usefu#.

-uko: -es, and we agreed that )ooks shou#d )e one of our choices.

*#e&: So which one sha## we choose for the third 'ethod no'inate videos and fi#'s.

-uko:Persona##$ )e#ieve that 'eeting peop#e is 'ore i'portant. f $ou have Eng#ishspeaking friends,

$ou wi## keep on stud$ing.

*#e&:

6. So'eti'es it can )e difficu#t to 'ake friends with native Eng#ish speakers, )ut knowing

how to ta#k Eng#ish is i'portant for work or for trave#.

-uko: So sha## we 'ake our reco''endations

*#e&: -es, #et(s do that.

-uko: suggest the fo##owing. First: co'puters, second: )ooks, third: ta#king to peop#e. 3o $ou agree

*#e&: -es. Co'puters, )ooks and conversations are a## good wa$s of stud$ing Eng#ish.

E&a'iner: Thank $ou.

$4% "hree0wa& dis!ussion $4 (inutes%

E&a'iner: -uko, do $ou think it is good that co'puters are )eing used 'ore co''on#$ in schoo#s

-uko: think so. Peop#e can find a #ot of usefu# infor'ation using co'puters. There are so'e )ad

points a)out the' too, though.

E&a'iner: 9hat sort of )ad points can $ou think of

-uko:

9e##, if peop#e spend too 'uch ti'e #ooking at the co'puter screen, the$ 'a$ have #ess ti'e to

'eet peop#e and the$ 'ight )eco'e #ess active. n Gapan, schoo#chi#dren are putting on weight.The$ spend so 'uch ti'e stud$ing or p#a$ing ga'es on a co'puter, or watching te#evision.

*#e&:t 'a$ not )e good for the e$es to #ook at a TH or co'puter screen a## da$. think that(s wh$

'ore peop#e need to wear g#asses or contact #enses.

E&a'iner: 3o $ou think there is 'uch difference )etween writing a #etter and sending an e'ai#, *#e&

*#e&:9riting a #etter using pen and paper takes 'ore ti'e and effort, think. t isn(t so eas$ to correct

'istakes as it is on a co'puter.

E&a'iner: 3o $ou prefer receiving a #etter or an e'ai#

*#e&: t(s nice to get a #etter fro' so'eone. $ parents write #etters to 'e whi#e (' #iving awa$ fro'ho'e, and #ike to receive those ver$ 'uch. +ut #ike to get e'ai#s fro' '$ friends, )ecause

can write )ack and get a rep#$ %uick#$. check ever$ da$ to see if have received an$ e'ai#s.

E&a'iner: 9hat a)out $ou, -uko

-uko: Sorr$, cou#d $ou p#ease repeat $our %uestion

E&a'iner: Certain#$. was


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E&a'iner: 3o $ou )e#ieve what $ou read on the internet, -uko

-uko:*n$one can put infor'ation on the internet, so $ou can(t trust it co'p#ete#$. -ou have to )e

carefu#.

E&a'iner: 3o $ou think Eng#ish is taught we## in $our ho'e countr$, -uko

-uko:

think that the Eng#ish teachers in Gapan concentrate on gra''ar too 'uch. 9e don(t have 'uch

opportunit$ to practice speaking. The c#ass siDe is ver$ #arge often there are "? students or

'ore. >ecent#$ the govern'ent has encouraged $oung native Eng#ish teachers to co'e to Gapan,)ut it is difficu#t for the' )ecause the$ aren(t trained teachers and the$ can(t speak Gapanese.

ow we## is Eng#ish taught in SwitDer#and, *#e&

*#e&:

think it is easier for us to #earn Eng#ish in SwitDer#and. There are four #anguages spoken in

different parts of the countr$, so #earning #anguages is i'portant for us. There are 'an$ tourists

and )usiness peop#e who speak Eng#ish, so we can practice outside of the schoo# so'eti'es. +ut

the )est wa$ to #earn Eng#ish is to visit an Eng#ishspeaking countr$.

-uko:-es, agree. $ speaking and #istening ski##s have i'proved a #ot since ca'e to Eng#and to

stud$.

E&a'iner: Thank $ou. That is the end of the test.

Documents

FCE Speaking Practice