PART 1 INTRODUCTION

The examiner introduces himself or herself, and then asks questions about familiar topics, such as your home, family, job and interests. This part lasts 4-5 minutes.

The examiner will ask you questions about yourself based on different topics, usually three questions on each topic. Each set of questions on a specific topic is called a ‘Topic Frame’.

The first topic is often about whet-e you live, your work or your studies. The two other topics will be randomly selected from a list of eight topics available to the examiner. Although topics may
be similar from one test version to another, the questions included in the Topic Frames will be different.

EXAMPLE OF TOPIC FRAME 1

Examiner:

Let’s talk about your home (in your country).
•What type of house or flat do you live in!
•What do you like about living there!
•What types of accommodation are typical in your country?
•What type of accommodation would you like to liye in the future?

Examiner:

Now let’s talk about animals.
•Are there many different hinds of animals in your country?
•How do people in your country generally treat animals!
•Do you think people should do more to protect animals?[Why/Why not!] •Do animals mean anything special in your culture?

When the examiner has finished asking questions about the first topic, he or she will move on to another general topic by saying: ‘Now let’s talk about . . .’ or ‘Let’s talk about .. .’. Some topics
might be relatively sensitive and personal in their nature, so the examiner might say something like this:

Examiner:

Now let’s talk about family.Are you happy to do that!

PART 2—INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN

You will be required to speak for one to two minutes. The examiner gives you a card that contains a topic and some bullet point prompts. Before speaking, you will have one minute to prepare and make notes on a sheet of paper. When you are finished speaking, the examiner will ask one or two questions to wrap up the long turn. This part lasts 3-4 minutes.

You will not be allowed to bring any pens, pencils or paper into the examination room—these will be provided by the examiner. The notes are not marked and will be destroyed after the test. You cannot take them out of the room. While you are making notes, the examiner will not talk to you.

Part 2 will begin when the examiner says something like this: ‘Now, I’m going to give you a topic and I’d like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Before you talk, you’ll have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand?’

EXAMPLE TASK CARD

Describe a piece of furniture you have in your home.

You should say:

• What kind it is and what you use it for
• What materials it is made of
• How this piece of furniture was chosen for your home

Also explain how you feel about this piece of furniture.

 

PART 3—TWO-WAY  DISCUSSION

In Part 3 of the Speaking Test, the examiner will ask you to discuss some abstract, non-personal questions that he or she raises. Depending on your level of English and performance, you might be asked up to seven questions on a variety of themes related to the topic of furniture, for example, buying furniture, furniture style and design, and so on. You are not required or expected to ask the examiner any questions. This part lasts 4—5 minutes.

EXAMPLE:TWO-WAY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Examiner:

We’ve been talking about a piece of furniture you have in your home and I’d like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this. Let’s consider first of all buying furniture.Who usually makes decisions about What furniture to buy in your culture?

Examiner:

• Could you compare the criteria that people use when choosing furniture for their homes and for their offices!
• Can you describe some recent changes in the design of furniture in your country?
• In what ways does the design of a place or furniture affect how people feel!

EXAMPLE:MORE TWO-WAY CONVERSATIONS WITH RESPONSES

Examiner:

Do you think living in a big city is better than liying in a small town!

Candidate:

I don’t think living in a large city has more advantages than living in a small town. Living in a small town is, in my opinion, much less dangerous than living in a big city.Also, I am convinced that it is much healthier and less stressful. Some of my family members, for example, live in a small town. For some reason, they seem to me much happier and more energetic than my brothers and I, who live in the capital.

Examiner:

Why do some people think it is good idea to make it compulsory to study a foreign language at school?

Candidate:

It’s probably because many parents realise that their children are not mature enough to understand the value and advantages of being able to communicate in a foreign language. Other people might consider it a good way to exercise their children’s minds.