SPEAKING Part 1

Part 1: the examiner asks each student questions:  personal details, daily routines, likes, dislikes, and so on. Candidates respond directly to the examiner. You do not talk to each other in this part. 

Here are some common exam questions: 

1.     What’s your name?  / Spell your surname, please. 

2.       Where do you come from?  /  Where do you live?

3.       How often do you see your friends?

4.       What do you like doing with your friends?

5.       Where do your friends live?

6.       When do you see your friends?

7.       Please tell me something about one of your friends.

8.       Who do you live with?

9.       How many bedrooms are there in your house/flat?

10.           Where do you watch TV at home? (which room?)

11.              What’s your favourite room in your house?

12.            Please tell me something about the things you like doing at home at the weekends.

POST with the list of topics you should be able to talk about.

For more possible questions, click one of the links under "SPEAKING"  in the right-hand column.

1) Speaking Part 2: Different things to wear + places to eat + places in a town + outdoor activities

Watch the videos of the speaking exam.

• Don’t talk at the same time as your partner or interrupt them when they are speaking. 
• Don’t worry if you make a mistake. The important thing is that you communicate with your partner and with the examiner. 
• If the examiner interrupts you, this shows that you have spoken enough.  The examiner must respect the time limits of the test.

Expressions to use:

• What do you think? 
• What about you? 
• I think… 
• I agree. / I don't agree. / I disagree.
• I love … 
• I prefer … 
• Yes, I think so too. 
• I don’t think so. 
• Maybe but I … 
• I don’t.
• I don't really like...
• That's an interesting question.
  
• I need to think about that for a moment. / I'll have to think about that...

In this part of the test, you are going to talk together. Here are some pictures that show different things to wear. Do you like these different things to wear? Say why or why not.  Now talk together.
 

After 1-2 minutes, the examiner will then ask each candidate a question, such as:
Do you think ...

• wearing jeans is boring?
• wearing sunglasses is important?
• wearing trainers is cool?
• wearing a cap in the sun is a good idea?
• wearing a watch is useful?

So, A, which of these things to wear do you like best? And B, which of these do you like best?

Do you prefer wearing a watch or using your phone to tell the time, B?  And what about you, A?

What kind of jewelry can you wear at school? Why?

**Give different answers or reasons than your partner.**

Let's communicate!

 When you don't understand, be honest and say so.

Sometimes people just speak too quickly. Remind them:

  Would you mind speaking more slowly, please?

 If you forget a word or don't know the right one to use, explain it:

• someone/somebody/a person - It's someone who
  works with students and wants them to learn.
• something / a thing - It's something you use when you want to remove what you write.  
• somewhere / a place - It's a place people go to when they are hungry.
• They take care of us when we're sick.
• It has two wheels, gears, brakes, pedals, and handlebars. We use it to get around the town.  
• It's where we stay when we travel. It usually has a swimming pool.

Getting to Know You

 

Introducing yourself:

Mary:  Hi, I'm Mary.  

George: Hello, Mary, I'm George. 

Mary:  Hi, George. // Nice to meet you, George.  // Nice meeting you. 

George:  Hi, Mary. // Nice to meet you, too, Mary.  //  Nice meeting you, too. 

When introducing another person, we use "THIS."

Bob:  Mary, this is George. George, this is Mary.

George: Hi, Mary. // Nice to meet you, Mary.

Mary: Hi George. // It's nice to meet you, too, George.

If you didn’t hear or understand someone's name: "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." "I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

Over the phone, in an office, or at school, someone may need more clarification:

"Could/can/would you spell that for me, please?"

"Is that with a C or K?"

When the conversation is over, the first to leave says: 

It was nice meeting you, (Mary). // It was nice to meet you.

The other person can respond:  It was nice meeting you, too. // It was nice to meet you, too.

                     

• In the 16th/17th century, Livorno [a.k.a. Liburnus in Latin; Livorna (1017); Livuorno, Liurono by Ferdinando de Medici (1593); Legorno; or Ligorna in Genoese] was a very important port for British merchants, who found it easier to pronounce the name as Leghorn.
• The world-famous Tuscan Leghorn breed of chickens got its name because it was exported from that port to N. America in 1828.
• In 1946, the Leghorn rooster became a cartoon character for Warner Bros.

Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the correct word:

Other phrasal verbs you should know:

sit down                 put on / take off              look out / watch out                look for
write down            turn on / turn off             go out                                           look after
lie down                 get on / get off                 fill in / fill out                             look at
                                  hold on                             find out
stand up
look up
wake up
get up
grow up
wash up
pick up
 
How are these phrases different: get up, get down, get in, get out ?

NOTE the position of pronouns:
Turn off the lights.  OR   Turn the lights off.
BUT
Turn them off.   NOT   Turn off them. 

Speaking Reminders

1. If you don't understand, you can say so.

Example, if the examiner asks, "Have you ever traveled abroad?" and you don't understand abroad, you can say: 

• I'm sorry. I don't understand "abroad".
• What does "abroad" mean?
• What is "abroad"?

2. The clock is always ticking, so keep talking. Show that you understand the question and know the vocabulary.

Examples: 

If you can't remember what the weather was like or what you wore yesterday,  a true answer is not important.  

• It was cold and rainy / It was warm and sunny. / It rained in the morning, but it was sunny in the afternoon.
• I wore a new pair of trousers and a black sweater with a white blouse.

3.  In part 2, keep the cards on the table so both of you can see them.
if your partner can't find the answer, you can indicate it with your finger.

4. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE and CORRECT. 
Do not give more information than you should.  
Do not change the questions or the information on the cards. 

5. Review the speaking posts

Speaking - part 2 - TV Programs + ways to travel

(5 - 6 minutes) 
In this part, you will talk with your partner. Here are some pictures that show different television programs. Do you like these different types of television programs?  Say why or why not. Now talk together.

Things to think about for your discussion: 

• What people, places, and things do you see in the pictures?  
• Do you like action films?
• Do you think that the news on TV is sad/interesting?
• Do you think watching football on TV is fun/exciting?
• What do you think about history programs?

Be descriptive to show the vocabulary you know.  Ask your partner questions so you speak together.

After 1-2 minutes, the examiner will then ask each candidate a question, such as:
Do you think ...

• watching action films on TV is exciting?
• watching the news on TV is sad?
• watching football matches on TV is interesting?
• watching singing on TV is fun?
• watching programs about history on TV is boring?

So Candidate A, which of these programs do you like best? And Candidate B, which do you like best? 
(Then you return the pictures)

Then he or she will ask you both some questions about the topic. (up to 2 min.)
Examples:

• Do you prefer watching television alone or with other people, Candidate B? Why? And what about you, Candidate A? 
• How much time do you spend watching television on different days of the week? Why?

That is the end of the test.

Do you think traveling by train is interesting?
Do you think traveling by plane is dangerous?
                              by boat is fun?

                              by bus is nice?
                              by camper is comfortable?
Which way of traveling is best?
Which way of traveling do you like best? 
Do you prefer traveling with family or friends? 
Do you prefer staying at home on your holidays or traveling? Why?

Speaking Part 2: Let's talk about hobbies + sports

Look at the pictures and compare hobbies.
Do you like these different hobbies? (Why or why not?)

Do you think …

1. … playing football is fun?
2. … playing an instrument is difficult?
3. … playing computer games is boring?
4. … reading is interesting?
5. … painting/drawing is easy?

Which of these hobbies do you like best?

Do you do any sport? (Br)
Do you play any sports? (more common in Am Eng)
*remember the use of the verbs play / go / do

Every Sunday I play volleyball with my friends. 
NOT practice
BUT you can use practice when it means to train
The team is practicing/training for the big game. (VERB-AM)
The team are in training for the big match. 
I have football practice three days a week. (practice is a NOUN)
I practice the piano every day. (VERB)

Which is more fun, playing sports or watching sports? (Why?)

What do you think about playing video games/football/an instrument/reading/drawing/?

What do you think about the people who do these things? 

Are you good at drawing / sports / playing any instrument? 

Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people? (Why?)
How much time do you spend drawing / reading / playing video games?

When do you play video games / rugby / the piano?
When did you .....?
How much time did you spend drawing / practicing the piano...?

Do you ever draw animals?
Do you like drawing landscapes? 

What are you drawing now?

What kind of books do you like to read?
What are you reading now? 

2) Speaking part 2: School subjects + Shopping + Fun activities

 Be sure you have read through the other SPEAKING POSTS.

 PHRASES to use:

• In my opinion      
  
• What's your opinion?
• I personally think/feel
• I really think/believe that 
• What do you think? 
• I prefer 
• Which/What do you prefer?
• I don't really care for

 Do you like these school subjects? 

Do you think:

• maths is important?
  
• geography is useful?
• history is interesting?
• science is fun?
• art is easy?
  

Which of these subjects do you like best?

Do you like learning alone or with a teacher?

What sort of homework do you prefer; reading something or writing something? (Why?)

Speaking Test Notes

The Speaking Test is with a partner. It has 2 parts and lasts about 8 - 10 minutes.  If there is an odd number of students, the last group will be a group of 3 and will last 13-15 minutes. 
Part 1: "getting to know you" questions; talk about yourself.
Part 2: the candidates talk to each other about pictures on a specific topic. Discuss a topic, talk about likes and dislikes, giving reasons. 

1. There are 2 examiners. Both will give you marks, but only one will ask you questions. 
2. Relax and have fun. The examiners want you to do well.
3. Don't compare yourself to your partner.  Students are marked individually. 
4. Listen and react to what the examiner and your partner say, but don't interrupt.  In the 1st part, you will speak to the examiner. In part 2, to your partner. Be prepared to ask them questions and start the discussion. 
5. Speak clearly and loud enough for both examiners to hear you.
6. Answer in full sentences, not just one word.
7. You can ask the examiner to repeat the instructions. This will not affect your score.  REMEMBER that REPEAT means to say something again.
8. If you don't understand, say so. For example, if the examiner asks, "Which foreign languages are you studying?" and you don't understand foreign, you can say: 

• I'm sorry. I don't understand "foreign".
• What does "foreign" mean?
• What is "foreign"?

        9. If you can't remember a word you would like to use, explain it: 

• "I can't remember the word. It's something we use to keep our pens and erasers in." (Are you talking about a pencil case?)
• "We usually wear them in the winter when it's cold; not shoes, but those things we wear on our feet and cover our ankles or go up higher on our legs."  (Do you mean boots?)

        10. The clock is always ticking, so keep talking. Show that you understand the question and know the vocabulary.   Don't worry if the  examiner stops you.  This is due to the time limit. All candidates are given equal time. 

        11. A true answer is not always necessary.  If you can't remember what the weather was like, what you had for lunch, or what you wore yesterday, don't say you don't remember. You can answer anyway:

• It was cold and rainy / It was warm and sunny. / It rained in the morning, but it was sunny in the afternoon.
• I had a ham and cheese sandwich with some chips. / I had pasta with tomato sauce, some chicken and a salad. 
• I wore jeans,  a hoodie], and trainers.  / I wore a sweatsuit** because I had football practice after school.
  (*hooded sweatshirt; **tracksuit, sweats, sweatpants and sweatshirt)

       

Be sure to see the other posts on Speaking and watch the videos of some speaking tests. 

The Speaking Test

 Speaking is always a very important part of any exam. 

• There are 2 examiners: one will speak to you, the other will take notes. 
• You will have a partner. It will last 8 - 10 minutes. 
• If there is an odd number of students, the last group will be a group of 3 and will last 13 -15 minutes. 

 Speaking Part 1 

 PERSONAL INFORMATION

This part lasts about 3 -4 minutes.

The examiner will ask each student questions. The most common exam questions are about:

1. Where you are from 
2. School and the subjects you study
3. Family
4. Your home town
5. Freetime activities
6. Your likes and dislikes

First, they will ask you your name, age and where you live, then they will say something like: "Now let's talk about school." 

You should be able to talk about these topics below:  

1. Appliances
2. Clothes and Accessories
3. Colors
4. Communication and Technology
5. Documents and Texts
6. Education
7. Entertainment and Media
8. Family and Friends
9. Food and drink
10. Health, medicine, and exercise
11. Hobbies and leisure (Free Time Activities)
12. House and home 
13. Measurements 
14. Personal feelings, opinions, and experiences 
15. Places (town, city, countryside) and Buildings
16. Services 
17. Shopping 
18. Sports
19. The natural world
20. Time
21. Transport
22. Travel and Holidays
23. Weather
24. Work and jobs

Click HERE to see pp. 24 - 32 for the vocabulary of the topics above. 

For some typical A2 level questions click HERE (for older students) and  HERE

 Speaking Part 2 
In this part, students talk to each other. 
There are 5 pictures to talk about one of the topics above. You will say why you like or don't like something. You will compare, describe, and give your opinion.
Then the examiner will ask some questions on the same topic. 
It will last about 5 -6 minutes.

Click HERE for possible questions in phase 2. 

Watch the videos of the new exam format:

Learning English

Sometimes we lack the words to express what is most important to us. That's when we just need to learn them. 

Watch this video and answer the questions below.                                                                               

How do you learn 

SPEAKING - some problems

PRIZES  (premi)     Prices (prezzi)

Have you ever won a prize?      What is the price of (a ticket)?  
                                    
cost?
How much is it?   /  How much are they?
How much does it cost?  /  How much do they cost?

£1400 = "one thousand four hundred pounds"  
£19.50 = "nineteen pounds, fifty"
€ 4.75 =  four euros and seventy-five cents   
                       "That's four seventy-five, please." 
                       "That'll be four seventy-five, please."
$122.33 = one hundred twenty-two dollars and thirty-three cents

Whose party is it?   It's Hannah's party.

     

What is the food like?   It's spicy. / It's very good. 

 Is eating out expensive? / Is it expensive to eat out?

               No, it's not expensive. It's cheap. 

What is the weather like?   It's sunny and warm.

    

Where does it take place?  It takes place in the city center.

 

eat?

     Can you eat there? 
food?
     Is there any food there?
    What kind of food is there? 

transport?
     How will/can we get there?
     What kind of transport will/can we use? 

How/get there?

     How can you get there?
     How do we get there?

(You can get there...) BY bus / train / boat / car
                                      ON foot

always sunny?
     Is it always sunny?

What/see?

     What can you see there? 
     What will we see there? 

age?

    How old is it? / How old is he/she?

car park?
     Is there a car park?

more information?

     Can you give me more information, please? 

     Where can I get more information? 

     How can I get more information?

Wear?
     What should I wear? (you, we)
     What do I/you/we have to wear?

What/clothes?
     What clothes should I wear? / What should I wear?

What/bring
     What should I bring?
     What can I bring?

long/journey?
     How long is the journey?

     Is the journey long?

good/food
     Is the food good?
     Do they have good food?

book/place (book means prenotare)
     How can I book a place?
     Can I book a place?
     
When?
When is it? (the party, the competition)

When/open?
When it is open?

April 25 or 25 April = "on the twenty-fifth of April" OR "April twenty-fifth."

November - January = "from November to January"

9 - 5 = "from nine to five"
Rd = Road
1900 = nineteen hundred

NOTE ON NUMBERS: 
1st = first  
31st = thirty-first
2nd = second  
22nd = twenty-second                       
3rd = third 
23rd = twenty-third 
5th = fifth
9th= ninth
12th = twelfth

@ = at
www.english.com = Double u-double u-double u - dot - English - dot - com 

If you have any questions or if there are other problem questions to add, please write them in the comments section below.