Inglés IV, 2024

Oral Exam Preparation

In the “Guía docente” for “Inglés IV,” we see that our evaluation
system stipulates that the Speaking test is 15% of the Final Note.

The present document, for guidance only, is designed to help

prepare students for the “Speaking test.” The objectives for this exam
are: (a) for students to present their own views and beliefs in a formal
but cordial academic setting; (b) and for students to speak in English that
is well pronounced, as regards the phonemes of words, including final
consonants, word stress, flowing English rhythm, and clear intonational
contours, or tone units. These objectives ought to help prepare you for a
formal presentation in English, and perhaps for a job interview in
English.

The “Speaking test” will be done in pairs, but marks will be

individual. Once you have passed the block 1 tests with the average
mark, you will be grouped alphabetically in pairs and in a specific time
slot. Please be punctual, it is advisable to be in the classroom at least 5 to
10 minutes before the assigned time.
The test will probably be recorded for possible revision.
This test will be divided into two parts: the first will deal with
topics related to the ones in Units-6-10; and the second will deal with
themes related to the book 12 Bytes.

You see below a list of observations and possible questions.

Reviewing this list will help you to prepare for the “Speaking test,” and
it will let you know what to expect.

1. In our study of Unit 6 in our Cambridge Academic English textbook,

“Behaving the way we do,” we discussed the interplay between
nature and nurture as regards behaviour, what do you think about
this question? What is more important biological inheritance or the
environment? Why?
 “Inglés IV,” Oral Exam Preparation, page 2

2. In unit 6 we also dealt with “gender roles” in different cultures.

How do you think is this question reflected in Spanish society
nowadays?

3. In Unit 6 of our Cambridge Academic English textbook, we identified

very useful expressions to refer backwards and forwards in
presentations (use them when speaking during the exam, too, if
necessary)

4. In Unit 7 of our Cambridge textbook, “Bringing about Change”, we

read some extracts about “health care and medical costs”. What do you
think about our health system and the possibility of privatization?

5. In Unit 7 of our Cambridge textbook, we studied a text on “social

entrepreneurs” and the need for change as regards the future of society,
What are your views and/or beliefs on this? Do you know any Spanish
social entrepreneur? What about a foreign entrepreneur? Why is he/she
relevant? Talk about his/her main contributions.

6. In Unit 8 of our Cambridge textbook, we dealt with “Work and

equality”, specifically with gender discrimination, the Glass ceiling and
pay discrimination. What do you think about these topics? What is Glass
Ceiling referring to?
Do you think these issues affect all jobs in the same way? What is the
situation in Spain?

7. In Unit 9 of our Cambridge Textbook, “Controversies”, we considered

the advantages (“pros”) and the disadvantages (“cons”) of immigration.
Do you think that diversity thanks to immigration provides more
positive or negative aspects to society? Why?

8. In Unit 9 of our Cambridge Textbook, we asked ourselves whether we

are isolates or socialites because of the advent of the internet. What do
you think? Justify your answer.

If you need to give more information, use cleft sentences, as we worked

with them in unit 9.
 “Inglés IV,” Oral Exam Preparation, page 3

9. In the writing section of Unit 10, “Health”, we learnt that there are two
common meanings of the word “health”, can you provide them? Are
they really different?
What is the role of medicine? How has it contributed to people’s health?

10. In the discussion and debate in our third week of small-group

sessions, we spoke about the Artificial Intelligence chatbot called
ChatGPT. We specifically raised the questions below, which are also
perfectly suitable for the “Speaking Test.”
—What do you believe is the most beneficial and promising future
for Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
—Does AI entail any worrisome consequences?
—Do you feel as comfortable speaking with an AI chatbot as you do
with a fellow human being?

11. In our discussion and debate regarding 12 Bytes. How Artificial

Intelligence Will Change the Way We Live and Love by Jeanette
Winterson, we also prepared and raised these questions and issues,
which are also perfectly suitable for the “Speaking Test.”

Zone Three
 If AI applied to sex dolls keeps on developing itself, how can it affect
the relationship between men and women? What is the author’s
opinion?
 Do you think women will demand male sex dolls in the future?
 If sex dolls develop enough to make their own decisions and refuse to
satisfy men, do you think the sex doll market might be over?
 Do you think a robot is reliable enough to take care of any member of
your family?
 Taking into account the author’s opinion on communication between
robots and people, in what ways could a robot be useful in
establishing communication?
 Which are the problems of using a sex doll?
 How do sex dolls affect the ideas of feminism?
 “Inglés IV,” Oral Exam Preparation, page 4

 Sex dolls can’t say no, what impact can this have on men?
 How can language be a problem for AI?
 How are identity and sexuality connected to technology?
 What are Wollstonecraft’s and Rousseau’s ideas about men and
women?
 What is a helper-robot?
 How did Covid-19 affect relationships?
 Do you think female sex bots will develop in the future replacing
human romantic relationships? What is the author’s point of view?
 How does Winterson reinforce the idea of misogyny in this chapter?
 Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about the creation of new AI sex
bots?
 Do you think humans cans have a meaningful relationship with
robots?
 Up to what extend will a robot affect human relationships?
 Up to what extend is data collect for AI biased?
 Would AI create discrimination among humans?

Zone Four
 Do you think women have the same opportunities to study and reach
high positions as men? Has something changed in the last years?
 Do you think women have the same abilities as men in programming
or STEM subjects?
 Do you think AI will be beneficial or detrimental to gender equality in
the future?
 In the book the brain is compared to computers in many ways. Do
you think a combination of the two is possible? Which is more
powerful?
 What do you think of the possibility of technology and the Internet
controlling us?
 “Inglés IV,” Oral Exam Preparation, page 5

 What do you think about the development of personalised

advertising?
 Do you think technology is the pathway to behavioural
manipulation? Does it make us prone to manipulation?
 Do you think humans can / could be manipulated and controlled by
technology?
 What makes humans and AI different?
 Do you think AI will develop feelings or something similar?
 Were women as successful as men in the 20th century?
 What does the author think about women’s progress at work?
 Why are there fewer women in computing sciences?
 What is the author’s’ opinion about transhumanism and genetic
modification?
 What solutions are governments providing us in case of the
destruction of our world?
 What is the relationship between conductivism and big enterprises?
 In which ways could AI make our society more empathetic?