Part 5.
Speaking
FCE Speaking Test: Key Facts Duration: Approximately 14 minutes. Participants: Candidates interviewed in pairs. Two examiners are present. One examiner (the interlocutor) carries out the interviewer whilst the second (the assessor) focuses on the candidate's performance.
FCE Speaking Test: Part 1 (Interview) Tests ability to: use language for social purposes, e.g. making introductions, answering questions about yourself. Part 1 of the FCE Speaking test lasts about 3 minutes. The examiner will ask some 'getting-to-know-you' questions perhaps to find out where you come from, your interests, your family or your studies etc.
Example Questions Q: Where are you from? Q: Tell me something about your family. Q: What did you enjoy most when you were at primary school? Q: Do you have any plans for a holiday this year?
Tips!
1) Avoid giving short, uncommunicative replies.
2) Avoid short, 'yes', 'no' answers to closed
questions. (These are questions beginning 'Have you ...', 'Do you ...', 'Is it ...' etc which can be answered simply with a yes or no answer). 3) Offer examples to help you explain a statement.
FCE Speaking Test: Part 2 (Long Turn) Tests ability to: speak at length coherently, use language to describe, compare and contrast and comment upon a topic. Part 2 of the FCE Speaking test lasts between 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three). The examiner gives you two photographs and your partner a different pair of photographs. You have to speak about your two photos without interruption for about 1 minute and also answer a question about your partner's photographs when he or she has finished their long turn.
Tips! 1. Listen to the instructions carefully and make sure you know what you have to talk about. 2. The question will help you with the structure of your talk. A) Start with a general summary of the topic B) Then move on to a comparison of the two pictures, using words to help explain the comparison
FCE Speaking Test: Part 3: (Collaborative Task) Tests ability to: use language to discuss, express an opinion, to agree and disagree, speculate and evaluate etc. In Part 3 of the test, which lasts about 3 minutes, the examiner will give both candidates instructions and a set of visuals and the candidates will have to try to reach some form of agreement.
Example Task
Tips!
Be prepared to ask your partner for his or her opinion rather than simple 'What do you think?' 'How about you?' 'Do you think ...?' y stating your own. Listen carefully' to what your partner says and respond to comm 'Do/Have/Are you?' 'Don't/Haven't/Aren't you?' 'Do you think so? 'Really?' ents he or she makes to help the discussion flow.
If you disagree try expressing this politely
'I see what you mean but ...' 'I can see your point but ...' 'But don't you think ...' Use expressions to allow yourself time to think. That's a good question.' 'Well, let me think ...' 'It's difficult to say ...' You'll possibly find you don't understand something your partner has said. If this happens, take control with simple questions like those below to help you deal positively with the situation. This will also give you the chance to impress the examiner with your communication skills.
FCE Speaking Test Part 4: (Discussion) Tests ability to: use language to express and justify an opinion, to agree and disagree etc. In Part 4 of the test, which lasts about 4 minutes, the examiner will join both candidates in a discussion about the general topic that appeared in Part 3.
Example Questions Q: Which sports are popular with young people in your country? Q: Some people say people don't participate in sport as much as they should. Do you think this is true? Q: Do you think team sports are more fun than individual sports
Tips
1. Again, as with earlier sections of the test, avoid short, 'yes', 'no' answers to the examiner's questions. 2. Continue to work with your partner. Respond constructively and show interest in things he or she says.