Speaking Test Finished

Part 1 · Personal questions

Part 1: Personal information. You will answer three short questions about yourself. You have 30 seconds for each answer. Speak after the beep.

1. Please tell me what you do to relax. (30 s)
2. How much exercise do you usually take? (30 s)
3. What time do you normally go to bed? (30 s)

Part 2 · Describe a photo

Part 2: Describing a picture. Look at the photograph. You will answer three questions, with 45 seconds for each answer.

1. Describe this picture. (45 s)
2. Tell me about a sport or activity you have tried. (45 s)
3. Why do you think some people find it hard to exercise regularly? (45 s)

Part 3 · Compare two photos

Part 3: Comparing two pictures. Look at the two photographs. You will answer three questions, with 45 seconds for each answer.

1. Describe these two pictures. (45 s)
2. Which of these two activities would you rather do? Why? (45 s)
3. What are the benefits of doing exercise outdoors? (45 s)

Part 4 · Long turn: Health and wellbeing

Part 4: Discussion. You will see three questions on one topic. You have one minute to prepare and two minutes to answer all three questions together.

1. Tell me about a habit you have that is good for your health.
2. Why do you think mental health is talked about more now than in the past?
3. What could governments do to help people live more healthily?

60 s to prepare, 120 s to answer all three questions together.

How to assess yourself

In the real exam each part gets a mark, and the examiner listens for the same four things in every answer. Play each recording and ask yourself:

• Fluency and cohesion: did I speak for the whole time without long pauses, and did I link my ideas (because, although, however, on the other hand)?
• Vocabulary: did I use varied, precise words, or did I repeat the same ones?
• Grammar: did I use the right tenses, and did I try structures beyond the simplest ones?
• Pronunciation: would a stranger understand me easily at first listen?

And one that is not a language criterion but costs marks every time: did I actually answer the question that was asked, or did I talk around it?

Tip: in Parts 2 and 3, describe first (who, where, what is happening), then compare or give your opinion. Running out of things to say usually means the description was too short.