First Certificate Speaking Practice

First Certificate Speaking Practice

Test 1

Test 2

Test 4

Test 3

Studying / Eating out / Problems on holiday.

taking photographs/ parks / modern objects

Researching / Holiday accommodation / restaurants.

Sunday morning / Free time / Local tourism.

Test 6

Test 7

Test 5

Test 8

Domestic animals / Household chores / Children's party.

Watching sport / Communication / Job problems.

jobs/ travelling/school improvements

Buying fresh fruit / Spare time activities / Traffic problems.

Part 1

Test 1

2 minutes

Your Country - Is there anything you would like to learn about your country? - Is there an interesting area of your country that you would like to visit? - Could you tell me something about the area where you grew up?

English- Do you use the Internet to study English?- Can you remember your first English lessons? - What do you find most difficult about English?

Daily Life- How much time do you spend at home? - What's your favourite food? - Are you planning to do anything special this weekend?

Next

Test 1

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show people studying in different places. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what are the advantages and disadvantages of studying in each place.

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) Where would you prefer to study?

30 seconds

Next

Next

Test 1

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show different places you can have a meal. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say why people might enjoy having a meal in each place.

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) Where would you prefer to have a meal?

30 seconds

Next

Test 1

Part 3

I'd like you to imagine some different problems a family can face while on holiday. Here are some different ideas. Now talk to each other about what particular problems could be caused by each of these situations.

2 minutes

Family Problems On Holiday

bad weather

falling ill

getting lost

delays at airport

lost passport

Now you have about a minute to decide which of these is the most serious problem.

1 minute

Next

Test 1

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate:Do you prefer to go on holiday abroad or in your own country? What, to you, is the difference between a traveller and a tourist? Does a town or region always benefit from tourism? In what ways is the environment being affected by tourism?

Test 2

Part 1

2 minutes

Daily life - Tell us about a day you’ve really enjoyed recently. - Are you planning to do anything special this weekend? - How much time do you spend at home?

Education and work- Do you use the internet to learn new things? - Do you prefer working on your own or with other people? - What do you think would be the most interesting job to do?

The future- Is there anything you'd love to be able to do in the future? - Do you plan to study anything in the future? - What are you going to do this weekend?

Next

Test 2

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show people taking photographs in different situations. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say how do you think the people in the photographs probably feel?

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) Do you like having your photograph taken?

30 seconds

Next

Test 2

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show parks in different city centres.I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what are the different people enjoying about being in these parks?

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) Which park would you prefer to be in?

30 seconds

Next

Test 2

I'd like you to imagine that a discussion is taking place about modern lifestyles. Here are things that some people say would be difficult to live without. Now talk to each other about why some people think these things would be difficult to live without.

Part 3

Part 3

2 minutes

Why would some people find difficult to live without these things?

hairdryer

television

Mobile phone

credit card

car

Now you have about a minute to decide which thing most people would findmost difficult to livewithout.

1 minute

Next

Test 2

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate:- What do you think is the most useful device that has been invented in the last 20 years? Why? - Do you think modern technology reduces or increases stress? Why? - Which jobs do you think might be replaced by robots in the future? - How have advances in technology changed the way people communicate with each other? - Some people say that certain computer games are too violent. What do you think?

Test 3

Part 1

2 minutes

Home - Do you live in a large house? - Could you describe your family home to me? - What type of house would you like to live in?

Free time- Tell us about a TV programme you’ve seen recently? - Do you prefer to be outside or inside when you have free time? - What do you most enjoy doing when you're at home?

Travelling- Where did you go for your most recent holiday? - How do you prefer to travel? By train or by plane? - What was a memorable holiday when you were a child?

Next

Test 3

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show different ways of researching a subject. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what would be easy and difficult about each type of research.

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) Which type of research do you think would be easier?

30 seconds

Next

Test 3

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show different accommodation you can use on a holiday. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what would be the advantage of each type of accommodation.

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) Which type of holiday would you prefer?

30 seconds

Next

Test 3

Part 3

I'd like you to imagine that a restaurant is trying to attract more customers. Here are some of the ideas they are considering and a question for you to discuss. Now talk to each other about why these ideas might attract more customers to the restaurant.

2 minutes

Why might these ideas attract more costumers to the restaurant?

reduced prices

prize-winning chef

relaxing background music

excellent customer service

extensive menu

Now you have about a minute to decide which idea might attract the most costumers.

1 minute

Next

Test 3

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate: - Do you like to eat in restaurants? Why?/Why not? - What differences are there between what young people and older people like to eat? - Do you think we should try to eat food that is produced locally? Why?/Why not? - Which food or drinks do you think are unhealthy? Why?

Test 4

Part 1

2 minutes

Sports- Are you interested in sport? - Do you plan to take up a new sport in the future? - What are the most popular sports in your country?

Family and friends- Do you have a large family? - Do you and your friends share the same ideas and opinions? - Tell me about your best friend?

Entertainment- Do you like going to the cinema? - Do you enjoy shopping? - Do you enjoy playing computer games?

Next

Test 4

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show different ways of spending Sunday morning. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say which do you think is a better way of spending Sunday morning.

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) which would you prefer to do on a Sunday morning?

30 seconds

Next

Test 4

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show different ways of spending free time. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say which one you think is a better use of free time.

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) which activity would you prefer to do during your free time?

30 seconds

Next

Test 4

Part 3

I'd like you to imagine that your town is interested in attracting more visitors. What could they do to encourage more tourism? Here are some ideas. Now talk to each other about how effective you think each of these ideas would be.

2 minutes

How can we get more tourists?

cut hotel prices

more police

build amusement park

pedestrianise town centre

build more parks

Now you have about a minute to decide which of these ideas would be the most effective in attracting more visitors.

1 minute

Next

Test 4

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate: What can tourists in your town do or see? Do you think your town provides enough for visitors? What do you do in your town on a day off? What makes a good hotel in your opinion?

Test 5

Part 1

2 minutes

Home - Do you live in a large house? - Could you describe your family home to me? - What type of house would you like to live in?

Spare time- What do you spend your time doing? - Who do you spend your free time with? - Tell me about an interesting hobby you would like to take up in the future.

English- Do you use the internet to study English? - Can you remember your first English lessons? - What do you find most difficult about English?

Next

Test 5

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show two animals you can own. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what would be difficult about owning each of these animals.

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) which of these animals would you prefer to own?

30 seconds

Next

Test 4

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show different household jobs you sometimes have to do. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what you would dislike about each of these jobs.

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) which of these jobs would you least like to do?

30 seconds

Next

Test 4

Part 3

I'd like you to imagine that you are organising a party for some ten-year old children. What activities would you like to plan? Here are some ideas. Now talk to each other about why each of these activities might be successful.

2 minutes

Children's Party

young Olympics

swimming pool

painting workshop

visit from local theatre group

author reading from children's books

Now you have about a minute to decide which of these party activities would be most enjoyable at a children's party.

1 minute

Next

Test 4

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate:Can children do something educational and still have fun? Did you have birthday parties when you were younger? Have you ever been to a surprise party? Did you enjoy the experience? Apart from parties, what other events can parents organise for their children to celebrate a birthday?

Test 6

Part 1

2 minutes

Your country - Is there anything you would like to learn about your country? - Is there an interesting area of your country that you would like to visit? - Could you tell me something about the area where you grew up?

Fitness- Would you say you are very fit? - How much exercise do you take each week? - Do you like to be physically active or do you prefer relaxing?

Spare time- What do you spend your time doing? - Who do you spend your time with? - Tell me about an interesting hobby you would like to take up in the future.

Next

Test 6

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show different ways of watching sporting events. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say why people might prefer each of these ways of watching sport.

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) which way do you think you would prefer?

30 seconds

Next

Test 6

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show different ways of communicating with a friend. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say which method offers most simplicity and clarity.

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) which method of communication do you prefer?

30 seconds

Next

Test 6

Part 3

I'd like you to imagine a 30-year old called Clive is very unhappy in his present job. What should he do? Here are some ideas. Now talk to each other about whether each of these ideas would work for Clive.

2 minutes

Clive's Problem

start looking for another job

quit his job

speak to his boss

talk to his parents

ask colleagues for advice

Now you have about a minute to decide which of these is the best thing for Clive to do.

1 minute

Next

Test 6

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate:Do we work too much? Why or why not? What would be your dream job? What is the role of a good boss? How hard is it to find a new job in your country?

Test 7

Part 1

2 minutes

Weekends - What’s your favourite thing to do on weekends? (Why?) - Do you prefer to hang out with friends or to stay in? (Why?) - How much do you use the internet at weekends? (Why?)

Hobbies and interests- How do you like to spend time after work or studies? (What do you do?) (Why?) - Tell us about a book or website you really like. - Do you like cooking? (What sort of things do you cook?)

Special ocasions- How do you celebrate your birthday? - Tell us about your favourite festival or celebration. (What do you do that day?) - What was your last family celebration? (What did you do?)

Next

Test 4

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show people working in different jobs. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say people working in different jobs.

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) do you think enjoying your job is important? ….. (Why? / Why not?)

30 seconds

Next

Test 7

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show people who have travelled to different tourist destinations. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say why you think the people have chosen these destinations.

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) which place would you prefer to travel to? (Why? / Why not?)

30 seconds

Next

Test 7

Part 3

I'd like you to imagine that a local high school is looking to improve its students’ well-being and has asked for suggestions. Here are some of their suggestions. Now talk to each other about how these ideas would help to improve the school.

2 minutes

How to improve the school

providing mental health support for students

improving the gym and sports equipment

introduce more creative classes

improving the food quality in the cafeteria

creating quiet, comfortable study areas

Now you have about a minute to decide which of these ideas is the best in your opinion.

1 minute

Next

Test 7

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate: - Do you think schools should make mental health one of their priorities? Why or why not? - How important do you believe arts and sports are in the school curriculum compared to traditional academic subjects? - Reflecting on your own school experience, what is one thing you would have changed or introduced for better student well-being? - Do you think schools should allow their students to use their mobile phones in the school premises?

Test 8

Part 1

2 minutes

Fitness - Would you say you are very fit? - How much exercise do you take each week? - Do you like to be physically active or do you prefer relaxing?

TV- How many hours TV do you watch in an average week? - Are there good quality TV programmes in your country? - Tell us about a TV programme you really enjoy watching.

Travel and holidays- Where did you go for your most recent holiday? - How do you prefer to travel? By train or by plane? - What was a memorable holiday when you were a child?

Next

Test 8

Part 2

(Candidate A) Here are your photographs. They show different places to buy fruit and vegetables. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what are the advantages of buying fresh produce in each location.

1 minute

A1

A2

(Candidate B) Where would you prefer to buy fruit and vegetables?

30 seconds

Next

Test 8

Part 2

(Candidate B) Here are your photographs. They show different spare time activities. I'd like you to compare the photographs, and say what is enjoyable about each activity.

1 minute

B1

B2

(Candidate A) which activity would you find most relaxing?

30 seconds

Next

Test 8

Part 3

I'd like you to imagine your town is being badly affected by traffic problems. What solutions could be considered? Here are some ideas. Now talk to each other about how effective you think each of these ideas would be in reducing traffic congestion.

2 minutes

Traffic Problems

pedestrianise town centre

ban all cars from centre

charge cars to enter town centre

build more cycle paths

encourage car sharing

Now you have about a minute to decide which of these would be most effective at reducing traffic.

1 minute

Next

Test 8

Part 4

4 minutes

Use the following questions, as appropriate:Would you prefer to live in the town or the country? What problems do the cities in your country have? How can we encourage more people not to drive everywhere? Do you feel safe cycling in your country?