SPEAKING PART 1

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FIRST B2
•Where do you come from?

• WRONG: I come from Moldova, Chisinau, the

capital of Moldova, which is a nice city with a lot of
parks .....

• RIGHT: I come from Moldova,

• namely from Chisinau.

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•What do you like about the place where you live?
• WRONG: I like the weather, the monuments, the
people and my neighbourhood.

• RIGHT: What I like most about

• Granada is that it has a very nice climate
• and many beautiful monuments.

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•Do you, your friends or your family recycle household
waste?

• WRONG: Yes, we do.

• RIGHT: Yes, of course.

• Recycling is extremely
important so we try
to recycle everything.

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•What sports do young people do in your country?
• WRONG: Football, basketball, handball and
tennis.
• RIGHT: The most popular sports in Spain are,
without a doubt,
• team sports
• like football
• or basketball.

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•Is it expensive to eat out in your city?

• WRONG: Yes, very expensive. The other day I went out

with some friends to a bar, before going to the pub, and
we had a problem with the bill and we had to pay more
because the waiter had made a mistake.

• RIGHT: Well, it really depends on where you go; some

restaurants can be expensive, but there are also some
cheap places.

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•What type of music do you like?

• WRONG: I normally listen to rock music

or rap or…

• RIGHT: I normally listen to rock music

or rap or pop, not much else, really.

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 Avoid the following typical mistakes in every
speaking test:
1.Very brief answers: I like football. (It’s okay to add more information!)

2.Listing things: I like the weather, the monuments…

3.Not justifying your answers: Yes, we do.
4.Using phrases without subject or predicate: Football, basketball, handball
and tennis.
5.Talking about unrelated events or talking too much.
6.Leaving your answers unfinished.

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 SPEAKING PART 2

FIRST B2
Description of FCE Speaking Part 2
This part of the test comprises 2 tasks.

First, the candidate is asked to compare two pictures and

answer one question in the process.

Second, the candidate is asked a follow-up question after

the comparison. When he/she makes the comparison, the
partner will answer the other question and vice versa.

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FIRST B2
 The candidate follows a clear order:

Introduction + Similarities, Differences,

Question. Although this particular order is not
compulsory,
it is recommendable.

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 Talking about similarities
Starting your comparison
• In both pictures we can see…
• Both of these pictures show…
• One similarity between these
• These two pictures show…
two pictures/situations is that…
• The two situations in these
• One thing that these two
pictures are…
pictures share is that…

Useful Phrases to
Compare Pictures

Talking about differences Introducing the answer to the

• Something that makes these two question
pictures different is… • In response to the question, I’d
• While the first picture …, the say that…
second one… • As regards the question,…

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FCE Speaking Part 2:
Useful Phrases for the Follow-up Question
This part of the task does not follow a particular structure.
The candidate draws on the own experience in connection
with the topic.
He/she is asked to choose one of the pictures and justify
the answer.

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 Some expressions to answer this question
correctly:
•As far as I’m concerned,…
•The way I see it,…
•If I had to choose one of these two (…), I would (definitely) go
for…
•In my experience,…
•In my case,…
•Well, it’s not an easy choice, but I think I’d prefer to…
•I believe that it’s more important to…

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 Top 10 Tips for FCE Speaking Part 2
1.Compare, don’t describe
2.Don’t overuse «and»
3.Don’t focus too much on one picture
4.Allow enough time to answer the question
5.Do not address the interlocutor
6.Finish your sentences
7.Focus the pictures and the question
8.Stick to the topic
9.Ask for repetition
10.Use related vocabulary

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 SPEAKING PART 3

FIRST B2
Description of FCE Speaking Part 3
1 discussion divided into 2 parts.

Firstly, the examiner will describe a situation to the

candidates, and he/she will offer them different
options to discuss.

Secondly, the candidates will have to decide on the

best option for the situation proposed in the first part
of the discussion.
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FIRST B2
 • The candidates are asked
to interact with each other
rather than speak by
themselves.
• It is essential to express and ask for
•The examiner’s question is written
opinions, agree and disagree with the
in the middle of the booklet he/she
other candidate, and change the
places in front of the candidates.
subject.

•Candidates are expected to have a

•Candidates are encouraged Features in FCE Speaking Part conversation, sharing opinions and
to discuss the different options. 3 asking questions.

•The most important thing is to show

•The expressions in bold are useful
words or phrases to use in any
discussion.
•It is advisable to reach an
the examiner that they are discussing
agreement with the partner, but it
and working towards a final
is not absolutely necessary.
decision.

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 Starting your discussion
• Shall I start? /Shall I go
first? Sure, no problem.
• Would you like to go
first? / Yes, why not?
Expressing your opinion
• I believe/think that…
• In my opinion,…
• The way I see it,…
• If you ask me,…
Asking for your partner’s opinion
• Do you believe that…?
• What do you think about…?
• What about…?
• What’s your take on…?

Agreeing with your partner Disagreeing with your partner

• I (totally) agree with you. Useful Phrases
• That’s (absolutely) true. to Engage in
• I couldn’t agree more.
a Discussion
• Yes, I see what you mean.
Changing the subject Concluding the discussion
As for + one of the options
In relation to + one of the options
As regards + one of the options
Regarding the question of the task,
• I’m afraid I don’t see it the same way.
• I’m sorry but I have to disagree.
• You may be right, but I have a
different view.
.
• I believe we have an agreement, don’t we?
• So, do we have an agreement?
• Shall we stick to…?
• Shall we agree on..?

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 Top 10 Tips for FCE Speaking Part 3
1.Have a clear discussion, not 2 monologues
2.Justify the opinions.
3.Try to speak about all the options.
4.Work with your partner.
5.Help the partner.
6.Step up the interaction skills.
7.Keep your turn short.
8.Stick to the topic.
9.Finish the statements with a question or a question tag.
10.Address to the partner

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SPEAKING PART 4

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 Description of FCE Speaking Part 4
• Part 4 consists of a set of questions which candidates
have to respond to.

• The examiner will typically ask between 4 and 6

questions.

• These questions are related to the topic in part 3.

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• The examiner can address the question to one
candidate and then the other one (E.g.: And what do
you think, Candidate B?), or they can ask the question
to both at the same time and ask them to discuss the
question together. NOTE: in this case, the examiner
will prompt a discussion between the candidates
using a hand gesture.
• In general, questions in Part 4 normally touch on
complex issues like education, learning, healthy
habits, careers, new technologies, etc.
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 Useful Phrases to Face Part 4

Buying time Expressing your opinion

I've never really thought about that, but... • In my opinion,… Giving reasons for your opinions
What a good question! • The way I see it,… ... because ....
That's a good question. • If you ask me,… ... so it's obvious that...
That's an interesting question. • It seems to me that… ... That means...
Oh! Let me think. Well, ... • As far as I’m concerned,…

Adding reasons Trying to change an opinion

Another thing is... But don't you think that...
As well as that, ... Yes, but isn't it true that...
Just as importantly, ... Okay, but on the other hand...
There's also the fact that... Maybe there's another way to think about it.
And don't forget.. You're partly right, but...
 Tips for FCE Speaking Part 4

1.Pay close attention to the question and to the partner.

2.Justify the opinions.
3.Work with the partner if it is asked.
4.Help the partner.
5.Stick to the topic, but don’t fall short

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 GOOD LUCK!!!

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