This part of the test comprises 2 tasks. First, you or your
partner will have to compare two pictures and answer one question in the process. Second, you or your partner will be asked a follow-up question after the comparison. When you make the comparison, your partner will answer the other question and vice versa. z Timing of the B2 First Speaking Part 2
This part of the test is supposed to last 3 or 4 minutes, and
the main elements that are timed are the following: 1.Candidate A’s comparison + question: 1 minute 2.Candidate B’s follow-up question: 30 seconds 3.Candidate B’s comparison + question: 1 minute 4.Candidate A’s follow-up question: 30 seconds z Examiner’s initial instructions
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question about your partner’s photographs. (Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people who are helping other people in different situations. (picture on the next slide)
I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say how important it is to help people in these situations. z z Candidate A’s response
(introduction) Both of these pictures show people getting some help; the first one shows a football player who seems to be injured and the second one is an Asian tourist getting help from a policeman. (similarities + differences) Although both situations involve someone helping a person, they are very different. In the first one, the football player needs help because he’s had an injury and, probably, he can’t walk properly. On the other hand, in the second picture, the tourist is probably asking for directions because he might be lost. Also, the footballer is likely to be in pain, while the tourist may only be a little nervous. (question) As for how important it is to help these people, I’d say it’s important in both situations. However, I strongly believe that the footballer needs more help than the tourist, as his situation is obviously more serious. z Examiner’s follow-up question for Candidate B (Candidate B), do you find it easy to ask for help when you have a problem?
Candidate B responses Well, it depends on the problem, but normally I do. Whenever I have a serious problem I ask my mum or my dad for advice. It’s not easy, but I do it. With other problems, I always ask my friends first, because they normally know what to do. z Basic Observations for B2 Speaking Part 2 ✓ Candidate A is asked to compare two pictures and to answer a question about them. ✓ The question the examiner includes in his explanation is also written above the pictures, so don’t worry about having to memorise it. ✓ Candidate A will have to speak longer than Candidate B, that is, the person comparing speaks longer than the person answering the follow-up question. ✓ Candidate A has clearly compared both pictures and answered the question. ✓ The expressions in bold are useful words or phrases to use in any comparison. ✓ Candidate A’s comparison follows a clear order: introduction + similarities, differences, question. Although this particular order is not compulsory, it is recommendable. z Useful Phrases to Compare Pictures •Starting your comparison • Both of these pictures show… • These two pictures show… • The two situations in these pictures are… •Talking about similarities • These two pictures/situations are similar because/in that… • In both pictures we can see… • One similarity between these two pictures/situations is that… • Another similarity might be that… • One thing that these two pictures/situations have in common is that… • One thing that these two pictures share is that… • The most obvious similarity is that… • These two pictures share the fact that… • Both pictures (…) in the same way. z •Talking about differences • One of the most obvious differences (between these two pictures) is that… • Another difference is that… • Something that makes these two pictures different is… • What makes these two situations (so/completely) different is… • While the first picture …, the second one… • The first picture…. However, the second one… • The first picture… whereas the second one… • Although the first picture…., the second one… • On the one hand, the first picture shows… . On the other hand, the second one… •Introducing the answer to the question • As for + paraphrased question • As to + paraphrased question • In relation to the question,… • In response to the question, I’d say that… • As regards the question,… • Regarding the question of the task, z Top 10 Tips for FCE Speaking Part 2 1.Compare, don’t describe: it is common for candidates to spend the whole minute describing both pictures separately instead of comparing them. Remember, the examiner explicitly asks you to «compare these two pictures», so don’t forget to do it!
2.Don’t overuse «and»: I have noticed that my students tend to use the word «and» all the time in order to switch from picture 1 to picture 2. «And» is a connector to add ideas, not to express contrast. And, since you’re comparing, you should use other types of connectors. See both of the tasks in this article and notice the connecting phrases in bold.
3.Don’t focus too much on one picture: one minute is not a long time, so you should make sure you fit into your speech the most important ideas about both pictures. z Top 10 Tips for FCE Speaking Part 2 4. Allow enough time to answer the question: some people spend so much time talking about the pictures that they forget to answer the question, and they get cut off by the interlocutor. While getting cut off is neither bad nor good, not answering the question will have a negative impact on your score.
5. Address the interlocutor: in this task, you shouldn’t address your partner. This is an individual task, so simply concentrate on what you’re saying and address your comments to the interlocutor.
6. Finish your sentences: it is common for candidates to start a sentence and then regret and stop in midstream. Do not let your speech fade out in the middle of a sentence; finish expressing your ideas! z Top 10 Tips for FCE Speaking Part 2 7. Focus the pictures and the question: while comparing both pictures, you should not talk about related things that happened to you. In this part, you are supposed to focus on the situations of the pictures, not on your own experiences.
8. Stick to the topic: when answering the follow-up question, make sure that you stick to the topic and answer exactly what the examiner asked.
9. Ask for repetition: it’s perfectly alright to ask the interlocutor to repeat the instructions or the follow-up question if you didn’t get it the first time.
10. Use related vocabulary: while this article has focused mainly on expressions to compare and give your opinion, you obviously need to prove that your vocabulary is at a B2 level. So make sure you draw on what you have studied and drop some advanced terms that might impress the examiners. z Talk about the way these pictures similar to or different from each other. z Compare these two photos and say which one of them you find most enjoyable. z Compare these two pictures and say whether it is better to drink tea or coffee and why z z
This part of the test comprises 1 discussion divided into 2
parts. First, the examiner will describe a situation to you and your partner, and he/she will offer you different options to discuss. Second, after the brief discussion, you and your partner will have to decide on the best option for the situation proposed in the first part of the discussion.
This part of the test is supposed to last 4 minutes, or 5
minutes if the speaking task is carried out by 3 candidates. The main elements of the task are the following: 1.Examiner’s instructions (total): 1 minute 2.Pair discussion of the options: 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3 candidates) 3.Reaching a conclusion: 1 minute z Examiner’s initial instructions Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.
I’d like you to imagine that a town wants more tourists to visit. Here are some ideas they’re thinking about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. (The examiner places the following picture in front of you and allows you 15 seconds to read the question and study the options.) z z Basic observations for B2 First (FCE) Speaking Part 3 ➢ The candidates are asked to interact with each other rather than speak by themselves. ➢ It is essential to express and ask for opinions, agree and disagree with the other candidate, and change the subject. ➢ The examiner’s question is written in the middle of the booklet he/she places in front of the candidates. ➢ Candidates are encouraged to discuss the different options. ➢ Candidates are expected to have a conversation, sharing opinions and asking questions. ➢ The expressions in bold are useful words or phrases to use in any discussion. ➢ It is advisable to reach an agreement with your partner, but it is not absolutely necessary. ➢ The most important thing is to show the examiner that you are discussing and working towards a final decision. z FCE Speaking Part 3: Useful Phrases to Engage in a Discussion •Starting your discussion • Shall I start? / Yeah, go on. • Shall I go first? / Of course, go ahead. • Is it okay if I start? / 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,… • I would say that… • It seems to me that… • In my view… • As far as I’m concerned,… •Agreeing z with your partner • I (totally) agree with you. • You’re dead right. • That’s (absolutely) true. • You’re (absolutely) right. • That’s a great idea. • I couldn’t agree more. • Yes, I see what you mean. • I see it that way, too. • Yes, of course. • I think so, too.
•Disagreeing with your partner
• 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. • That might be true, but I’m not sure I agree with you. • I’m sorry, but I don’t agree. z
•Changing the subject
• As for + one of the options • As to + one of the options • In relation to + one of the options • As regards + one of the options • Regarding the question of the task, • With regard to + paraphrased question
•Concluding the discussion
• I believe we have an agreement, don’t we? • So, do we have an agreement? • Shall we stick to…? • Shall we agree on..? z Candidate’s decision sample Candidate A: Shall I go first? – Candidate B: Sure, go ahead. – Candidate A: I believe that this option (pointing), «building a large nightclub», will attract tourists, especially young ones who enjoy partying and going out with friends, don’t you think? – Candidate B: Yes, I think so, too. However, it might not be the best type of tourism, because it can disturb neighbours and residents. How about having more shops? – Candidate A: Oh, that’s a great idea. If the city offers a good shopping experience, many people will be attracted to it, which I guess is quite positive for everyone. Wouldn’t you agree? – Candidate B: Yes, of course. Maybe that option could go hand in hand with building holiday flats because. The way I see it, you want tourists to spend more time in your city. So if you have plenty of shops and accommodation, it’s the perfect combination, right? z Candidate’s decision sample Candidate A: Yeah, you’re absolutely right. But what do you think about the other two options? (pointing)? Do you think they’re a good idea? – Candidate B: Well, if you ask me, putting up security cameras isn’t very appealing to anyone. But I suppose parks can be attractive, but I’m not sure how much exactly. What’s your take on those two options? – Candidate A: As you said, security cameras are not appealing at all. As for parks, maybe they are a good thing for residents, but not for tourists, particularly.
Examiner’s second set of instructions
The examiner will interrupt the conversation above and say:
Thank you. Now you have about a minute to decide which idea would be best for the town. z Candidate’s making decision sample
– Candidate B: Well, given our previous comments, I would say
that the two best options would probably be the shops and the holiday flats, don’t you think? – Candidate A: Yeah, well, I do agree with you on having more shops, but I think that building a nightclub is more important than holiday flats. – Candidate B: Okay, I see what you mean, but I don’t think the same way. Shall we stick to having more shops then? – Candidate A: Yes, sure, I also think it’s the best one. So do we have an agreement? – Candidate B: Yes, we do.
