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 how you find out what is happening in the world. (30 s)
2. Do you listen to the radio? When? (30 s)
3. What kind of news stories interest you most? (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 news story you remember from the last few months. (45 s)
3. Do you think printed newspapers will disappear? Why or why not? (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 do you use more to follow the news, the radio or your phone? Why? (45 s)
3. Why is it sometimes difficult to know if a news story is true? (45 s)

Part 4 · Long turn: News and the media

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 programme, website or podcast you enjoy.
2. How has social media changed the way people get their news?
3. Should children be taught at school how to check information online? Why?

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.