Speaking Test: Practice

You will listen to a candidate during the Speaking Test. We did not publish the audio transcriptions as – at this stage of the course – you should be able to understand what the students are being asked and what they are commenting.

And now listen to the examiner's instructions while you look at the three photos below. You will have to choose two photos to work in pairs.

The examiner usually starts by introducing ideas or questions very similar to these: "Look at these three pictures: 1) Which pictures would you choose to talk about?; 2) What could you say about each of them? They show people using different machines or devices. I'd like you to compare two of the pictures and say how the machines or devices help the people to do their work faster".

USUAL PROMPT CARDS USED IN THE TEST

Topic: Truth and dishonesty

HOW TO DO THE SPEAKING TEST

1.

The pictures always have a common theme, so talk about the general ideas they illustrate. Don't describe them in detail.

2.

It is important to answer the question the examiner asks you. Whenever possible, give reasons or explanations for the answers you give.

3.

When it's your partner's turn to talk about the photos, listen but don't interrupt. The examiner will ask you a question about your partner's pictures at the end. You should answer this question quite briefly.