FCE (2016) SPEAKING EXAM TIPS

 Speak slowly to give yourself

time to think!
 DON’T
DESCRIBE the
pictures in Part
2!
Make eye
contact!

Learn useful
expressions for Be sure to
speculating, answer the
comparing etc. question!

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iSLCollective.com
 FCE (2016) SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

PART 1

I’m speaking English for my own satisfaction.

I’m speaking English in order to improve my employment
prospects.
That’s a good question …
It’s funny you should ask …
Well, to cut a long story short …
Well, to be honest …
It’s difficult to say …
Let me think …
Well, let me see …
That’s a tricky one …
That’s an interesting question …
Where should I start …

… another point would be …

… and I should add that …

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 FCE (2016) SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

PART 2 (1 minute to contrast & compare a photo)

(A SUGGESTED SIMPLE STRUCTURE TO USE)

Introduction:
As we can see, in Picture 1 …. and in Picture 2 ……

Compare/Contrast:
Both pictures are quite similar in that they show (similarities) …,
however, picture 1 (differences) … whereas picture 2 (differences) …

Conclusion:
To answer the question …

(It’s important to KEEP TALKING so here is an idea if you have

time left over (depending on the photo) state your preference
or say what you think about a situation in one of the photos)

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iSLCollective.com
 FCE (2016) SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

PART 2 Continued Similarities

Contrasting In both pictures we can see …

In picture 1 we can see … Both pictures show …

whereas/while/however in picture
2… There is/are … in both pictures.

In picture 1 we can see. In Picture 1 shows … and in Picture 2

contrast, picture 2 shows … we can also see …

Picture 1 shows … while in picture … can be seen in both pictures.

2 there is/are …
In the first picture … can be seen,
while the second picture shows …
Both pictures have something in
common; they show …
In picture 1 there is/are …
Similarly, picture 2 shows …

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iSLCollective.com
 FCE (2016) SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
PART 3/4 (Interactive – 2 minutes
to discuss written prompts and 1
minute to arrive at a decision)
Turn Taking (to begin)
Shall I begin?
May I start?
Would you like to start?
Turn Taking (to change turn)
Shall we move on to …?
And what about …?
Let’s consider …
Why don’t we look at …?
How about …?
Let’s take a look at …
Reaching a Decision
Shall we agree on …?
Then we’re agreed; …
Can we agree on …?
Are we both agreed on …?
So shall we say …?
Why don’t we go with …
Expressing your Opinion
The way I see it …
If you ask me …
To my way of thinking …
Inviting a General Opinion
What’s your take?
What do you think?
Inviting Agreement
Don’t you think?
Wouldn’t you agree?
Wouldn’t you say?
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