FCE

Speaking Paper

Parts 3 & 4

Source: FIRST 5. Cambridge ESOL (4 tests)

Practice tests

Part 3 3 minutes (4 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes.

I’d like you to imagine that a group of teachers is planning an educational trip to Australia for their students. They are thinking of choosing one of these two holidays.

First, talk to each other about what the students could learn from the two different holidays. Then decide which holiday the teachers should choose for the students.

What could students learn from the two different holidays?Which holiday should the teacher choose for the students?

Holiday 1

Holiday 2

Part 4 4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

•Would you like to go on one of these holidays? (Why? / Why not?)•At what age do you think young people should be allowed to go on holiday without their parents? (Why?)•How important is it to speak the local language when you are on holiday? (Why? / Why not?)•Do you always need to spend a lot of money to have a good holiday? (Why? / Why not?)•Do you prefer to go on holiday to places where the culture is similar to yours or different from yours? (Why?)•Do you think it’s a good idea to study in a foreign country? (Why? / Why not?)

•What do you think?•Do you agree?•And you?

Part 3 3 minutes (4 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes.

I’d like you to imagine that a family is planning to move to a new area. Here is the family and the three places they are thinking of moving to.

First, talk to each other about the advantages and disadvantages for the family of living in these different places. Then decide which place the family should move to.

What are the advantages for the family of living in these different places?Which place should the family move to?

Part 4 4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

•Which of these places would you like to live in? (Why?)•Some people live in one place all their lives. Do you think this is a good thing? (Why? / Why not?)•Do you think, as people get older, they want to live in a different sort of place from when they were younger? (Why? / Why not?)•What advice would you give someone about how to make friends in (candidate’s country)?•What do you think makes a good neighbour)? (Why?)•If you could choose anywhere in the world to move to, where would you go? (Why would you go there?)

•What do you think?•Do you agree?•And you?

Part 3 3 minutes (4 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes.

Here are some different ways we can buy things these days.

First, talk to each other about the advantages and disadvantages of buying things in these different ways. Then decide which you think will be the most popular way of shopping in the future.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying things in these different ways?Which do you think will be the most popular way of shopping in the future?

Part 4 4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

•Do you like to spend all your money as soon as you get it or do you prefer to save up for something special? (Why?)•Do you think people spend too much money on things they don’t really need? (Why? / Why not?)•Do you often buy something because of an advertisement you’ve seen? (Why? / Why not?)•Do you think it’s better for companies to advertise on television or in magazines? (Why? / Why not?)•Is it a good idea to buy something from the internet or from a catalogue without seeing it first? (Why? / Why not?)•Some shops spend a lot of money making their windows look good. How important is this? (Why?)

•What do you think?•Do you agree?•And you?

Part 3 3 minutes (4 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes.

I’d like you to imagine that a town would like to attract more visitors. Here are some of the ideas they are thinking about.

First, talk to each other about how successful these ideas would be as a way of attracting visitors. Then decide which two would attract most visitors to the town.

How successful would these ideas be as a way of attracting visitors?Which two would attract most visitors to the town?

Part 4 4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

•Which town or city would you most like to visit? (Why?) •How important do you think it is for people to learn about the history of where they live? (Why?)•How important do you think it is for local areas to keep their customs and traditions?•When you’re on holiday in a town you don’t know, how do you decide what you want to see?•Some people go on holiday for the sun. What’s important for you when you choose a holiday? (Why?)•Is it better to go on organized tours or to make your own plans? (Why?)

•What do you think?•Do you agree?•And you?

Source: FIRST 5. Cambridge ESOL (4 tests)