B2 First

Speaking test video: examiner feedback

Part 1

Simon Santiago
Simon answers all questions in a natural way. Santiago answers all questions appropriately,
He includes relevant details and his answers although he could take the opportunity to
are about the right length. say a little more. For example, when he says
he wants to learn French because it’s really
Simon attempts some range in his use of
interesting, he could explain why he thinks it’s
sentence structures and vocabulary – e.g.
interesting.
I think my brother because he’s the nearest
person to me … I play a lot of sports with him. The language that Santiago uses is generally
There are some errors in what he says – e.g. accurate and natural. There are a few
one friend I know since I’m two years old … grammatical errors – e.g. I would like to learn
we did a lot of fun parties. However, the errors other language … I like read books – but
don’t impede understanding. these errors don’t prevent the listener from
understanding him.
Simon’s pronunciation is generally clear and
accurate. Santiago’s pronunciation is generally clear.

Tips for Part 1

• The questions in Part 1 are about your everyday life and include topics such as
people you know, what you do in your free time, your studies, work and holidays.
Practise talking about these topics with other students and people you know who
speak English.

• Say as much as you can in Part 1. The examiner will stop you if he or she thinks
you have said enough. However, your answers should be natural, and you shouldn’t
prepare by memorising little speeches.

1
Part 2

Simon Santiago
Simon gives an adequate description of the Santiago gives adequate descriptions of his
two photographs. What he says is clear and two photographs. What he says is clear and
he makes the comparison that there are three he explains why he thinks people are learning
people working together in the first picture but about the natural world in the two different
only one man looking at the laptop on his own places.
in the second picture.
Santiago speaks for the full minute, but he is
However, Simon seems to run out of things a little hesitant at times and could say more
to say and doesn’t speak for the full minute. about the similarities and differences between
When comparing the two pictures he could say the two pictures – e.g. in both picture the
more about what he sees in the pictures – e.g. people are outside in nature, but in the first
the three people are sitting outside at a table, picture, adults are looking at wild animals
possibly in a café whereas the man is on a from a distance, whereas in the second
bench in a train station; the people in the first picture a group of children with a teacher are
picture are wearing casual clothes, while the looking at leaves and plants.
man in the second pictures is dressed more
Santiago uses appropriate language to
formally in a suit. Simon could also speculate
describe the pictures and the meaning of what
a little more about what the people are looking
he says is never in doubt. However, he makes
at on the laptops – e.g. the people in the
a number of errors with both grammatical
first picture might be reading an article and
structures and vocabulary – e.g. a teacher
discussing it, whereas the man in the second
who is teaching to their students … people
picture might be writing emails to colleagues
don’t really matter the world and the natural
and clients.
places … the teacher is learning about how
Simon uses appropriate natural language not to destroy the place.
to describe the pictures – e.g. he looks like
Santiago’s pronunciation is generally clear.
somebody who works with finance … he’s
However, in some words he puts too much
on his way to work.
stress on certain syllables – e.g. animals,
Simon’s language is generally accurate, elephants, natural. In each of these words, the
though he starts by using the wrong verb form stress should be on the first syllable and the
to describe what the people are doing – e.g. vowel in the final syllable should be a weak / /
they learn together for a presentation … they sound; Santiago says the final syllable with a
work for a test together. However, he does strong / / sound.
correct this – e.g. he’s working alone … he’s
checking action, or something like this.

Simon’s pronunciation is generally clear, with

appropriate stress and intonation.

B2 First Speaking test video: examiner feedback 2

 Tips for Part 2
• Listen carefully to the examiner’s instructions and don’t forget to read the question
above the pictures. If you’re not about something the examiner has said, you can
ask him or her to repeat; you will not lose marks for this.

• Practise different ways of expressing similarity and difference – e.g. one thing that’s
similar is that … ; in this picture there’s … whereas in the other picture … . Structures
and linking words like these will help you organise what you are saying, and will also
help you to speak more fluently.

• When you are asked to comment on your partner’s pictures, the question is usually
about what you feel or like. Try to extend your answer by giving reasons, and
examples from your own experience will often help you to do this. Say as much as
you can; the examiner will interrupt you to stop you if necessary.

B2 First Speaking test video: examiner feedback 3

Part 3

Simon Santiago
Simon takes the initiative and starts the Santiago shows he can take the initiative by
discussion, which is good. He also listens starting the discussion in the second stage
carefully to what his partner says and of Part 3, and he moves the discussion on to
responds in an appropriate and natural way. another point when he thinks it is appropriate.
He also moves the discussion to another He also listens to what his partner says and
point when he thinks it’s necessary. responds in an appropriate way. So Santiago
shows that he is able to interact in effectively.
The language that Simon uses in Part 3 is
clear and reasonably accurate, and he shows The language that Santiago uses in Part 3 of
some range of vocabulary and grammatical the test is generally accurate and shows an
structures – e.g. When you get a last-minute adequate range – e.g. You have to organise
flight it could also be very cheap … it’s yourself … If you have a goal you … you have
important to have a plan B … you can change to decide what are you going to do with your
your mind. He does, however, produce some life. Santiago makes some errors – e.g. maybe
errors – e.g. when you don’t plan the holidays it’s more cheaper – but these do not impede
so carefully, it’s more adventurely … you know understanding.
for what you’re learning.
Santiago’s pronunciation is generally clear.
Simon’s pronunciation is clear, with
appropriate stress and intonation.

Tips for Part 3

• In Part 3, don’t rush through all the points on the around the question. It’s better to
have a detailed discussion about one of two of the points than to have a brief and
superficial discussion about all five of them.

• When you practise for Part 3, try using language for managing the discussion –
e.g. Would you like to start? What do you think? I agree with you up to a point but …
Shall we move on to the point about … Maybe we should try to reach a decision about
this?

B2 First Speaking test video: examiner feedback 4

Part 4

Simon Santiago
Simon gives extended and relevant responses Santiago generally answers in an appropriate
to the questions in this part of the test. He way, although sometimes he could go into
also interacts well with his partner when he is more detail – e.g. in explaining why it’s
given the opportunity to. good for people to plan for the future when
they’re still at school. He interacts well with
Simon uses a reasonable range of language –
his partner when appropriate. He also asks
e.g. if you’re spontaneous … when you’re
the examiner to repeat a question; this is
with the right people, it could be a very good
acceptable and would not lose him any
situation or a horrible situation. He does make
marks.
a number of language errors – e.g. you learned
new peoples and get something what you Santiago uses a reasonable range of language
don’t do normally … the problem is when you – e.g. at some point you will have to deal with
plan something at very high hopes and at the some things … you don’t always have to listen
end it’s not getting so good. However, the … maybe you should do whatever you think.
errors don’t prevent the listener from following However, he does makes errors – e.g. you
what Simon says. have to talk with the people who cares about
you.
Simon’s pronunciation is generally clear.
Santiago’s pronunciation is generally clear in
this part of the test.

Tips for Part 4

• It’s important to give full answers in Part 4. Keeping question words in your head like
Why? How? When? Where? can help you extend you answers.

• Giving examples from your own life and from the lives of people you know can help
you to extend your answers. Also, examples are often more interesting to listen to
than general abstract statements.

• Sometimes you will realise that you have made a language mistake, perhaps with a
grammatical structure. In these cases, it’s good to correct yourself to show you are
aware of accuracy. However, you shouldn’t worry about making mistakes; it’s better
to be fluent and make a few mistakes than to be very accurate but not say much.

B2 First Speaking test video: examiner feedback 5

Overall

Grammar and Vocabulary Grammar and Vocabulary

Simon uses an adequate range of vocabulary Santiago uses an adequate range of

and grammatical structures. He makes quite a vocabulary and grammatical structures, and
lot of grammatical errors, especially when he his language is generally quite accurate. His
attempts to use more complex structures, but use of more complex structures is limited.
the errors rarely affect comprehension.
Discourse Management
Discourse Management
Santiago’s responses are clear and relevant,
Simon’s responses are usually clear and although sometimes they could be more
relevant, although he is sometimes a little extended, allowing him to show a greater
repetitive. His answers are usually sufficiently range of language.
detailed, although in Part 2 he runs out of
Pronunciation
things to say before the end of the minute.
Santiago’s pronunciation is usually very clear.
Pronunciation
His pronunciation of certain words show
Simon’s pronunciation is usually clear, with the influence of his first language, Spanish,
appropriate individual sounds, stress and particularly when it comes to word stress
intonation. and certain individual sounds, but he is
comprehensible at all times.
Interactive Communication
Interactive Communication
Simon responds well to the examiner and
his partner throughout the test. He interacts Santiago shows that he is able to initiate
well with his partner, mostly agreeing, but and respond appropriately in all parts of the
disagreeing when appropriate. test. He listens to what the examiner and his
partner say and responds in a natural and
relevant way.

B2 First Speaking test video: examiner feedback 6