Speaking

What's the Cambridge First Certificate Speaking exam like?

The FCE Speaking exam has four parts and takes around 14 minutes to complete:

There are two examiners in the room, one who asks you questions and one who marks you. You are tested on:

fluency
pronunciation
range and appropriateness of language.

Speaking - Part 1

What is speaking part 1 like in the B2 First Certificate exam?

Speaking part one is like a personal interview. The examiner will ask you some questions about yourself. You do not need to speak to your partner in part 1.

Example topics for questions:

Your daily life/routine
Where you live/your country
Education and work
Travel and holidays
Sports
Entertainment
Family/friends
Free time/hobbies
The future

Who do you speak to?

The examiner.

How long do I speak for?

About 2 minutes.

What to practice?

Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion.

Example Questions

Where You Live Now and Your Home Country

Is there anything you would like to learn about your country?

Which area of your country would you like to get to know better?

Daily Life

Tell us about a day you've really enjoyed recently.

Are you planning to do anything special this weekend?

Education and Work

Are you happier doing mental or physical work?

Can you remember your first English lessons?

Travel and Holidays

Have you ever used English while traveling?

Is there a good public transport system in your country?

Sports

How much exercise do you do each week?

Do you like to be physically active or do you prefer relaxing?

Entertainment

Do you ever go to concerts?

Do you use the internet much?

Family and Friends

Who are the most important people in your life?

What do you enjoy doing with your friends?

Free Time

Is your routine at weekends different from your daily routine?

Does anyone you know have an interesting hobby?

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?

Speaking - Part 2

What is speaking part 2 like in the B2 First Certificate exam?

Speaking part 2 is also known as 'long-turn'. You are given two photos and a statement to help you compare them. You must compare the photos, not just describe them. Then, your partner will be asked a question on the same theme as the photos and they will be expected to talk for about 30 seconds. Your partner will then get a different pair of photos, they will speak for a minute and when they finish, you will be asked a question about their photos. You should also speak for about 30 seconds.

Who do you speak to?

The examiner.

How long do I speak for?

1 minute and then 30 seconds

What to practice?

Talking on your own about something: comparing, describing, expressing opinions, speculating.

Useful Phrases

Comparisons

Additionally - Photo one shows this, additionally photo two shows something similar.
As well as - Photo two as well as photo one shows this.
Just as - Just as in photo one, photo two also shows this.
Similarly - Photo one shows this. Similarly, so does photo two.
In the same way - Photo one shows this in the same way as photo two.
In common - Both photo one and photo two have things in common.
They share - Both photos share this.
They resemble - Both photos resemble similar situations.
As with - As with photo one, photo two also shows this.
Equally - Photo 1 shows this, equally as does photo 2.

Contrasts

However - Photo one shows this. However, photo 2 shows something different.
Although - Photo one shows this although photo 2 doesn't.
Whereas - Whereas photo one shows this, photo two is completely different.
In contrast - In contrast, both photos are showing different things.
Yet - Photo one is definitely showing this, yet photo two isn't.
Despite this - Photo one shows this well. Despite this, photo two isn't sharing the same thing.
Though - Photo one shows this though photo two doesn't.
While - While this is happening in photo one, something different is happening in photo two.
Conversely - In photo one this is happening, conversely something else is happening in photo two.

Speculating

It might be…
It could be…
There may be…
She must be…

Expressing Opinion

For me…
In my opinion…
I think…
For most people, including myself…
I actually think that…

Speaking - Part 3

What is speaking part 3 like in the B2 First Certificate exam?

In part 3, you are asked to have a conversation with your partner. The examiner will give you a task to do together and a piece of paper with a central statement and some ideas to discuss. You must talk to your partner in part 3. You should talk together for about 2 minutes and then you will be asked to make a decision which should last 1 minute.

Who do you speak to?

Your partner

How long do I speak for?

2 minutes and then 1 minute

What to practice?

Exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc.

Useful Phrases

Exchanging ideas and expressing/justifying opinions

I think this would be a good/bad option because…
I reckon this is a great/terrible option because…
Do you think this one would be any good?
I think either of these two could be fantastic options as they are both…

Agreeing/disagreeing

No way! I definitely wasn't thinking that.
Absolutely, I was going to say the same thing.
How funny, I was just thinking that too!
Well, maybe, but what about…
Yes, totally. I'm 100% with you on that.
Yeah, I agree.
Sorry, but I'm not sure I agree here.

Suggesting

What do you think about this one?
Do you have any thoughts on this option?
I'm not sure about this one, what about you?
I'd probably suggest this one as one of the main ones. How do you feel about that?

Speculating

This one might be good…
That one could be a terrific idea!
This one probably wouldn't do very well…
Do you think that one could work?
This one may be a better option.

Reaching a decision

Are we both in favour of this one?
Let's agree to disagree.
Well, I definitely think it's not this one.
So then, which do you think is the best one?

Speaking - Part 4

What is speaking part 4 like in the B2 First Certificate exam?

In part 4, you are asked to expand your conversation from part 3, using prompts from the examiner. You have to talk together to make a decision. You should talk for about 4 minutes.

The examiner will ask you a question. Look at the examiner while you answer the question. Explain why you think what you are saying. Ask your partner their opinion.

Who do you speak to?

The examiner and your partner

How long do I speak for?

About 4 minutes.

What to practice?

Expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and disagreeing.

Example Questions

You will be given questions on similar topics to part 3, some possibilities are:

Your daily life/routine
Where you live/your country
Education and work
Travel and holidays
Sports
Entertainment
Family/friends
Free time/hobbies
The future