FIRST CERTIFICATE SPEAKING QUESTIONS FOR PART 1

I just spent a few hours going through all my FCE materials and typing out all the questions I could find
from part 1 of the speaking test.

They are from past exams, official Cambridge test preparation books, and so on.

I've organized them into topics, but sometimes one question could go in different sections. I chose the
one that seemed most logical to me.

Starters

What is your name?

Where are you from?

Where You Live Now and Your Home Country

Is it easy to meet new people where you live?

What's the best place to spend a free afternoon in your town?

How expensive is it to go out in the evening where you live?

Could you tell me something about the area where you grew up?

Could you describe your family home to me?

What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited near ….?

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

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

What do you like about living there?

Tell us about a festival or celebration in [your home country].

Daily Life

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

Are you planning to do anything special this weekend?

How much time do you spend at home?

What did you do on your last birthday?

Do you like cooking?

What’s your favourite food?

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What’s your favourite day of the week?

What’s your favourite part of the day?

Which time of year is your favourite?

Education and Work

Do you use the internet to learn new things?

Do you prefer working on your own or with other people?

What do you think would be the most interesting job to do?

Do you find it easy to study where you live?

What were the most important things you learned at primary school?

Would you prefer to work for a big or small company?

What kind of work would you really like to do in the future?

Are you happier doing mental or physical work?

Can you remember your first English lessons?

Travel and Holidays

Where would you most like to go on holiday in future?

Do you prefer traveling by train or plane?

Do you plan your holidays or decide everything spontaneously?

Have you ever used English while traveling?

Is there a good public transport system in your country?

Entertainment

Do you ever go to concerts?

How important is TV to you?

How much TV do you watch in a week?

Do you like the same TV programmes as your parents?

Tell us about a TV programme you've seen recently.

Do you enjoy going to parties?

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How often do you read newspapers?

Do you like shopping?

Where do you like listening to music?

Do you like going to the cinema?

Tell me about your favourite film star.

Tell us about a film you really like.

Do you enjoy playing computer games?

Do you use the internet much?

What do you use the internet for?

Do you ever listen to the radio?

Family and Friends

Who are the most important people in your life?

What do you enjoy doing with your friends?

Who do you spend your free time with

Have you done anything interesting with your friends recently?

Who are you most like in your family?

Do you and your friends share the same ideas?

Tell me about your best friend.

Tell me about a good friend of yours.

Do you normally go out with family or friends?

Tell me a little about your family.

Free Time

How much time do you spend at home nowadays?

Do you have a favourite newspaper or magazine?

What's the most exciting thing you've ever done?

Tell us about a TV programme you’ve seen recently?

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What’s the difference between reading the news in the newspaper and watching it on TV?

Who do you spend your free time with?

Do you prefer to be outside or inside when you have free time?

What do you most enjoy doing when you're at home?

Is your routine at weekends different from your daily routine?

What do you spend your time doing?

Do you enjoy reading?

What sort of books do you read?

Does anyone you know have an interesting hobby?

Sports

Are you interested in sport?

Is there a sport or hobby you enjoy doing?

Is there a sport you’d really like to try?

What sports do people play most in your country?

How much exercise do you take each week?

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

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?

What are you going to do this weekend?

Are you going to do anything special this weekend?

Do you think computers will replace newspapers and TV in the future?

Which country would you most like to visit in the future?

Do you think you'll go there one day?

And don't forget the most important question - if you give a short answer, the examiner will probably
ask 'WHY'?

Are you interested in sport? Yes. Why

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Introduction

1. Don't Panic

It's only 15 minutes long, but for many students, the FCE Speaking Test is the most stressful part of
Cambridge English: First. A lot of students don't know what to expect, they don't feel confident in their
English, and they don't know how to prepare.

 What We Will Teach You

 What the exam looks like
 How many parts there are
 What to do in each part
 Some ideas of what to say and how to say it
 Mistakes to avoid

2. Who Made This Website?

My name is Andrew and I've been a teacher all around the world for a very VERY long time. I also made
a website called CAE Exam Tips. Can you guess what it's about?

Together, the sites have helped more than a million students do better on their exam.

We also have a Facebook group and a Youtube channel. Come and say hi!

3. A Quick Guide to the Speaking Test

You and another student will sit in front of two examiners. One of the examiners will talk to you and the
other one will take notes. (Cambridge call these people the interlocutor and the assessor but I will only
talk about the one who asks you questions, and I will call that person 'the examiner'.)

(NOTE - the last group of the day can have 3 students, so it's a good idea to practice that situation.)

There are 4 sections with different things to do in each section.

Let's look at the exam section by section.

FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 1

1. Who Talks?

The examiner asks you a question. You reply to the examiner.

You don't have to talk to your partner in this part of the exam.

It will take about 2 minutes.

Cambridge want to help you relax in the test so they start with some nice, easy
questions. Don't worry if you get off to a bad start - a lot of candidates start
badly because they are nervous

2. Which Questions to Expect

Questions are normally on these topics:

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Your hobbies

Your work or education

Things you like and things you don't like

Friends and family

Holidays

Sports

Future plans

The following article has a BIG list of possible questions:

3. Help! I Didn't Understand the Question!

Don't stress. Politely ask the examiner to repeat it.

Please could you repeat that?

Could you say that again, please?

4. Use the Grammar of the Question in Your Answer

Here's a silly mistake:

Do you enjoy cooking?

Yes, I enjoy to cook.

Why not use the same grammar as the question in your answer?

Do you enjoy cooking?

Yes, I enjoy cooking.

Here's another example:

Are you going to go on holiday this year?

Yes, I'm going to go to Mexico. It's going to be my first time.

You don't always have to do this - English is quite flexible. But for now, this method will help you avoid
mistakes.

5. Don't Be a Robot

Once upon a time, there was a man who wanted to the the President of the United States.

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He went on TV to answer some questions. He prepared very hard, and memorised what he wanted to
say.

The first question came. The man spoke for 25 seconds. All the people who were watching looked at
each other, puzzled. The man hadn't answered the question - he had just repeated the speech he had
learned!

The second question came. The man spoke for 25 seconds. All the people looked at each other,
surprised. The man had said the same exact thing as before!

For the third and fourth question, the man gave the same 25 second speech.

That's when everyone in America decided that this man could not be president. Nobody wants a robot
in charge of the country.

(This is a true story by the way - the politician's name is Marco Rubio, but now everyone calls him
'Marcobot'.)

In FCE, you shouldn't speak like a robot. So don't write down answers to questions and memorise them.

Instead, learn a few keywords and speak naturally, like you would do in your own language.

6. What Are Some Good Keywords?

This is a conversation I have ALL THE TIME with new students:

What is your job?

Oh! How to say it in English?

The first keyword you should learn is the name of your own job! Don't you think?!

What is your job?

I'm a systems analyst.

Then learn the jobs of your parents, husband/wife, best friend etc.

My mother's a retired teacher. My father's a clown trainer. My husband is a camel trainer.

You should definitely learn some nice phrases about hobbies. For example, the phrase 'to be keen on'
means 'to like'.

What are your hobbies?

I'm keen on gardening.

How about holidays? In the FCE exam you should know the difference between 'travel', 'cruise', and
'flight' - you could easily use these words if asked about holidays.

What sort of holidays do you like?

I'm actually not too keen on travel, and I really hate flights. I like cruises, though. That's my favourite.

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Get the idea? As I said before, you're not learning whole speeches, just a few words you can use at the
right time.

7. How Much Should You Say?

It's okay to give short answers here, but I don't let my students say 'yes' or 'no'. Your answer shouldn't
be shorter than the question!

Here are some GOOD examples:

'Where are you from, Victoria?'

'I'm from Germany, from the north coast of Germany."

And:

"And Edward?"

"I'm from Peru. I live in the capital, Lima. It's near the coast."

If you watched the video above, you'll hear Victoria tries to keep talking after saying 'the north coast of
Germany'. The examiner stops her - that was TOO much detail.

So answer the question in a simple way, then add ONE extra sentence.

8. How to Practice

You can practice this with another student (or a friend who speaks some English). Get them to ask you
the questions and - if their English is good enough - ask them to give you some feedback.

If you're lucky enough to live in an area where people speak English, go to a party or some social event.
Every person you meet will ask about your job, where you live, and your hobbies. The perfect chance
to practice!

If you are studying in a class, ask your teacher to give you ten minutes for a 'speed dating' session. You
sit with another student, ask each other questions for two minutes, then change partner.

If you're alone, record yourself using your phone. If you've got a 'study buddy' ask permission to film.
Not enough of my students do this, but the ones that do say it's VERY helpful. You will notice mistakes
and you will be able to ask yourself questions like 'Did I answer the question? Did I sound like a robot?'

A lot of teachers encourage their students to write their own questions.

9. Checklist

Do I sound like a robot?

Were my answers too short, too long, or just right?

Did I use my keywords?

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 FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 2

Part two of the Cambridge English: First Speaking test is called the 'Long Turn' because you and student
B take turns to give long speeches. You get two colour photos. You have to talk about them on your
own for a minute. When you finish, the examiner asks the other student (student B) a question about
your photos - student B should talk for about 30 seconds.

Then student B gets two photos and has to talk about them for one minute. When that is over, the
examiner asks you a question, and now you have about 30 seconds to answer.

1. Interaction Diagram

In this part of the test, nobody should interrupt you, and you shouldn't talk
when the other student is talking.

2. More Detail

The photos are always different but the process is always the same. The
examiner will ask you to COMPARE the photos AND SAY something about
them.

Study these examples from past exams:

Compare the photographs and say why they have chosen to travel in this way.

Compare the photographs and say why you think the people are talking.

Compare the photographs and say what the people are enjoying about doing these things.

See the pattern? So the first thing you should learn is how to compare things, and make sure you answer
the second part of the question.

Read my article about useful language for speaking test part 2 for some ideas.

3. Common Mistakes

Most FCE students describe the photos. Nobody asked you to describe them! You are asked to compare
- there's a big difference. Describing has ONE element - This man is riding a bike. Comparing has TWO
elements - This picture shows a man riding a bike while this one shows a motorbike.

If you forget a word or make a mistake, don't worry. Just keep talking. You have to talk for one minute.
Mistakes are normal. Keep going!

How about an example?

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Compare the two photos and say what might be good or bad for the people traveling in these ways.

BAD:

There is a man riding a bicycle. He has a helm. Um... helm. Hat?

Helmhat? Helmet! Yes, he has a helmet. This man is on a motor
bicycle. There is a yellow taxi behind him. Um... I finished.

(Problems: described the photos - didn't compare - wasted time on

one word - didn't say what might be good or bad.)

GOOD:

Both pictures show men on their own. In the picture on the top
there's a man on a bicycle while in the other picture he's got a
motorbike. In the first photo he's out in the countryside
somewhere, maybe in Scandinavia. In contrast, this man is in a city
and it looks quite dusty and polluted. Here in the first image,
though, we can see it looks clean and the air seems fresh.

I think there are good things about traveling by bicycle - it's good
exercise and it's very healthy. And cheap! On the other hand, riding
a motorbike doesn't give any health benefits and it's much more
expensive because you have to buy petrol.

What about the downsides of the bicycle? I suppose it isn't very safe because cars don't respect you.
But that's the same on the motorbike sometimes. Oh, the bike is quite slow - much slower than the
motorbike. That's the really good thing about the motorbike - the speed, and it's easy to find a parking
space!

BLAMMO! I just passed FCE.

4. Practice

It's easy to practice - you just need two photos on a similar theme. Make sure they have people in.

I just typed the word 'travel' into google image search. The first two photos are PERFECT:

They've both got two people, but the first one looks like two friends and in the other it looks like a
couple. The first shows a trip to the countryside while the second is in a city.

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What sort of question would the examiner ask?

Compare the two photos and ...

 say what is good and bad about these types of holidays

 say what the people are looking at and why
 say why they have chosen this sort of holiday.

Easy, right?

Now you know how to make your own exam-style questions, you can practice whenever you want.

5. The Follow-Up Question

Let's say student B was given the photos from part 4. He would talk for one minute, and then the
examiner would ask you a question about the photos.

Something simple like:

Which of these holidays would you prefer?

You should talk for about 30 seconds. How many sentences can you say in half a minute. Three? Four?
Let's say you can say three sentences in 30 seconds. You could say something like this:

Well, that's a very difficult question because I like both types of holiday. It's very interesting going
somewhere outside of the city because I like to get some fresh air and see some dramatic things. But
probably my first choice would be to go to a city, because there are also nice things to see but then I
can get an ice cream whenever I want.

USEFUL PHRASES FOR FCE SPEAKING PART 2 - THE LONG TURN

Here are some useful phrases you can use in part 2 of the FCE speaking test. I've also written some
example sentences so you can see how to use them properly. All my example sentences are based on
these photos.

The top picture shows...

The bottom picture shows...

[The top picture shows a man riding a bicycle, while the bottom picture shows
a man riding a motorbike.]

In one photo there are...

In the other photo there are...

[In one photo there are some wonderful, snow-covered trees while in the other
photo there are cars in the background.]

In the picture above it looks as if...

In the one below it looks like...

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[In the picture above it looks as if a bear is chasing the man while in the one below it looks like the man
is chasing somebody else.]

Both pictures show...

In both pictures there are...

They're both quite similar because they both show...

[Both pictures show men traveling on their own.]

There are... in both photographs.

[There are men riding alone in both photographs.]

This picture shows... but that one...

[This one shows a cold country but that one looks quite hot.]

In one respect the pictures are quite similar because...

[In one respect the pictures are quite similar because the men look very fit and sporty.]

One difference between the pictures is that...

[One difference between the pictures is that we can see other cars and people in this picture.]

The biggest difference between them is that this one... but the other one...

[The biggest difference between them is that this one has a bear in it but the other one doesn't have
any bears.]

This one looks more ... than that.

[This one looks more fun than that.]

Doing ... isn't so ... as...

[Riding a motorbike in a busy city isn't so healthy as riding a bike in the fresh air.]

In my opinion...

I'd say that...

I think...

It seems to me...

My view is that...

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[My view is that this bear has been photoshopped into that picture. There's no way that's a real picture.
It seems to me that the maker of FCE Exam Tips tried to make this more interesting by putting a bear
in the photo.]

Another thing that's different is...

Something else that's different is...

[This is a cold place, whereas this place looks hot. Another thing that's different is that this motorbike
looks quite old and cheap, while the bike seems quite expensive.]

They're alike in another way, too.

[Both men look strong and healthy. They're alike in another way, too - they are both adventurous and
don't mind traveling alone.]

FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 3

In part 3 you given a spider web with five keywords linking to a question. It looks like this:

You get about 15 seconds to read

everything, then you have to discuss it with
your partner for 2 minutes. When the 2
minutes is over, the examiner will stop you
and he will ask another question. You
discuss that question for another minute.

1. Interaction diagram

You speak to your partner, and listen to what they say.

2. About the 2015 changes

In 2015 Cambridge changed the First exam. They changed the name (from First Certificate in English to
Cambridge English:First) and they made some improvements to different parts of the test.

In the old version of Speaking part 3, candidates had 3 minutes to discuss the 5 topics AND say which was
the most important. This led to a lot of messy conversations where students started by deciding what the
most important thing was and talking nonsense for 2 and a half minutes.

The new version is better - you have 2 minutes to explore the 5 topics, and THEN another minute to decide
which is most important or the best.

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3. Collaborative task

This part of the exam is called the Collaborative Task. To collaborate means to work as a team. Imagine
you had a discussion with a friend or work colleague in your own language - you wouldn't talk for two
minutes while the other person said nothing (at least I hope you wouldn't) and you would listen to what
the other person said and be interested in it (at least I hope you would).

So - treat your partner like an EQUAL - give them equal chance to speak and be prepared to agree and
disagree with them in a respectful way.

Have you ever played chess with a clock? You make your move, hit the button, your clock stops ticking
and your partner's clock starts. It would be very useful to have one of these clocks while practicing this
part of the exam. At the end you should both have spoken about the same amount of time. (Of course 5
or 10 seconds difference is no big deal.)

Another way to think of it is like a tennis practice - you hit the ball to your partner with the goal of playing
for as long as possible.

You will get a good grade if you ask questions and react to what the other student says.

You will get a bad grade if you are selfish, don't listen, or try to monopolise the conversation.

4. What if my partner is shy or aggressive?

There's normally no need to worry about this.

First, you can find a speaking test partner and register for the exam together. Then you will know who
your speaking test partner will be. Problem solved.

Second, if you do end up with an aggressive speaking partner, you will have lots of time in parts 1, 2, and
4 to show your speaking skills. In part 3, try your best to politely interrupt and to be sociable - the
examiners will notice and you will gain points while the other student is losing them.

If your partner is too shy, just give them opportunities to talk as normal, wait a few seconds for an answer,
then answer them yourself if needed. You know - exactly what you would do in your own language.

5. I can't talk about 5 points in detail in 2 minutes!

True! And you don't have to. In fact, you probably shouldn't. it's much better to have a really good, deep
conversation about three of the topics than to race through and mention five. The good discussions in my
classes tend to hit 3 or 4 topics.

6. Help! We don't agree about anything!

It doesn't matter - it's all about opinions. There are no right or wrong answers, only good or bad
discussions. If you disagree, explain why. Try to persuade your partner that your way is right. But also,
when your partner says something good, react. 'Oh, that's a good point, I hadn't thought of that.'

Cambridge are only interested in the quality of the discussion and the quality of your language (your
grammar and vocabulary). You won't lose points if you say something crazy like:

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“We shouldn’t build new parks because tourists hate green spaces. We should build more concrete
buildings if we want to attract more tourists.”

In fact, those sentences are relevant to the task (providing parks is one of the 5 topics) and there's some
good vocabulary.

7. What's the best way to do it?

LISTEN to your partner. Don't just wait for your turn to speak. Be interested in what they are saying and
politely agree or disagree. If you disagree, try to persuade them to change their idea, but don't spend too
long doing that.

Refer back to things you already said.

Say a couple of sentences then ask a question. Never answer your own questions!

Try to look at your speaking partner more than the paper.

Some students turn their chair a little bit - towards the other student. This helps them to remember who
they should talk to.

8. What are some useful phrases I should learn?

See FCE Speaking Test Part 3 Useful Phrases (with examples)

9. Got any more tips?

Don't introduce the task. There's really no point saying 'So, Bob, today we have to talk about attracting
more tourists to our town.' Everyone in the room knows what the task is! Repeating it is just a waste of
time.

In part 1, don't talk about what the most important or best thing is. That is normally the question for part
2. If you look at the example question at the top of this page, it says 'Why would these ideas attract more
tourists to the town?' Not 'what's the best way to attract more tourists'. It's a very important difference!
Always focus on what the question says.

If your speaking partner is talking about the wrong thing, bring them back to the task. Say, 'that's very
interesting but we should talk about why more tourists would come'.

10. What about the second part?

Everything we said about the first part (2 minutes) applies to the second part (1 minute). You have to take
turns, respond to your partner, agree and disagree, and so on.

The only difference is the task. It's normally something like 'now decide which of the 5 topics is the most
important'.

DON'T start by saying what you think is the most important!

This may seem crazy at first, but look:

- I think providing parks will bring the most tourists because they will have a place to relax, especially in
Summer.

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- I totally agree.

END CONVERSATION

There's another 45 seconds left! What are you going to discuss? Nothing useful, that's for sure!

How about this:

- I think the answer definitely isn't putting up security cameras. It might make some people feel safer but
mostly it's just ugly and maybe people will think the city isn't so safe if there is such a need for cameras.
What do you think?

- I totally agree. I think tourists don't want the NSA watching everything they do.

[Great! Now we have 40 seconds left.]

- I think building a nightclub would bring some tourists but would put off some others.

- Yes, especially older ones. The best solution has to be something that's right for teenagers, their parents,
and the elderly. Right?

- Absolutely.

- So I think maybe providing parks will bring the most tourists because they will have a place to relax,
especially in Summer.

- And as you said, it's something for people of all ages.

You see how starting with something that isn't the best leads to a better conversation?

TOP TIP

Refer back to what you said in part 1.

'Well, as Bob said earlier, the answer definitely isn't putting up security cameras.'

USEFUL PHRASES FOR SPEAKING PART 3

Would you like a list of phrases you can use in the speaking exam? You would? Then you're in luck!

I've split the phrases into different sections, and at the bottom of the page is an example conversation
which uses some of the phrases in a natural way.

Getting Started

Which one shall we start with?

What do you think, Bob?

Bob, I think you know a lot about [topic]. What's your opinion on it?

Moving to the Next Item

Shall we move onto [topic] now?

So what about [topic]?

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I wonder if we can compare [current topic] to [new topic]?

What about this one? [pointing to topic]

What do you think about this idea?

How do you feel about that one?

We're running out of time, so let's move on.

We still need to discuss [topic].

Ah, that connects with the next topic.

[Topic] is pretty similar to the last one - maybe we can skip it for now?

Ending Your Turn

What do you think?

Don't you agree?

Do you have anything to say about that?

Do you have anything to add to that?

Did I forget anything?

Interrupting

Sorry to interrupt but...

Just a second...

Agreeing

Right.

Good point.

I fully agree.

I was just thinking that!

I was just going to say that!

That's just what I was thinking.

I couldn't agree more.

You're totally right.

Disagreeing (with reasons)

Maybe, but what about...?

I think it would be better to...

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I'm not so keen on that.

I don't really agree with you there.

Weeeeeell maybe, but...

Yeah, but, the thing is...

The problem with what you said is...

For one thing...[reason 1] And for another... [reason 2]

Reaching a Decision

Well, I think it's definitely not [topic]

We can eliminate [topic] right away. Don't you think?

So then, what do you think is the best one?

I guess you think we should choose [topic]?

Are we both in favour of [topic]?

Okay, so we agree.

I don't think we're going to agree on this!

Let's agree to disagree!

Example Collaborative Task

This example was taken from Ready for First, which you can read about on our FCE Books and Apps page.

If the image is too small, it says:

What problems might arise in these relationships?

Brothers and sisters

Boyfriends and girlfriends

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Flatmates

Parents and teenagers

Work colleagues

Let's listen to students Anna (A) and Barbara (B).

A- Which one shall we start with?

B- I'll talk about brothers and sisters first. Um... one of the problems I had with my sister is that she spends
hours in the bathroom.

A- Oh, I know that one!

B- It's not like a big problem but it was a bit annoying.

A- I totally agree - in my case it was my brother who took these really long baths and made a total mess.

B- Are there any other problems in that relationship?

A- Maybe about money when their parents die. A lot of families fall out over that topic, sadly. But that's
depressing. Shall we move on?

B- Sure!

A- Actually, maybe boyfriends have the same problem with their girlfriends. You know, taking so much
time in the bathroom.

B- Sorry to interrupt but I think that's a bit of a stereotype. It's not really true in my opinion.

A- I have to disagree with you. Honestly, my girlfriend just disappears into the bathroom for hours.
Sometimes I hear the hairdryer.

B- Well, maybe. But I think money can be a big problem in relationships. Some men hate it when their
girlfriend has a higher salary. It depends on the culture and background a little bit, but I've seen it quite a
few times. And they argue about who should pay for bills and such things.

A- That connects with the next topic - flatmates. It's always tricky to decide who should pay which bills.
And who should do which chores, too.

B- That's just what I was thinking. And it's true for brothers and sisters and boyfriends and girlfriends, too.
Everyone argues about money and chores!

A- I feel like parents and teenagers is exactly the same... so let's skip it for now and talk about work
colleagues?

B- Great idea.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Do you need more explanation of how to use the phrases? Let
me know in the comments below.

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 FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 4
In this part of the test you have about 4 minutes to talk about the topics from part 3 in more detail. You
are tested on your ability to give opinions, give reasons for your opinions, and your ability to politely
discuss things with your partner.

1. Who Talks?

The examiner asks you a question. You answer it. But it's not the same
as part 1. It's more like part 3 - you should respond to your partner's
answers, and you should ask for their opinions.

2. Top Tips

The questions in part 4 are not written down, so you have to listen
carefully. If you don't understand the question, ask the examiner to
repeat it.

Look at the examiner when you give your answer, but then look at your
partner when you are talking to each other.

Always explain your answers. 'Yes I think having computers in schools is a good idea because the children
get used to using technology and it will make it easier for them to get a job in the future.' If you don't
explain your answers, the examiner will always ask 'why?' It's much better if you say why on your own.

'I don't know' is a BAD answer. You can say, 'Oh, what a question! I never thought about it before, but
maybe...' That gives you a little bit of time to think of something to say.

Be interested in what your partner says. Agree or disagree with them as in part 3. There are no right or
wrong answers, only good or bad conversations. You can practice this if you're taking an FCE course - in
the class always ask your partner's opinions on topics and always ask 'why?'

Use some interesting vocabulary, and try to use a variety of words. e.g. instead of 'good' you might say
amazing;interesting;costly;over-rated or another word you have learned. All those words fit in this
sentence: 'Giving iPads to schoolchildren is a(n) ______________ idea.'

When the exam is over, say goodbye but don't ask how well you did. They aren't allowed to tell you and
it just puts them in an embarrassing situation. Also, don't start laughing or speaking your own language
until you have left the room - it's not a job interview but there's no reason to make a bad impression.

3. Which Questions Do They Ask?

They will ask questions about the topics from part 3. Some possible topics are:

Travel

Your Home Country/City

Learning English

Shopping

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Free Time

TV

Work

I have created a HUGE list of the kinds of questions that are asked in part 4. The guide also has suggestions
on how to answer those questions. Sounds useful? You bet! Go take a look:

See 40 FCE Speaking Part 4 Questions (with model answers)

4. Useful Language for Part 4

See FCE Speaking Test Part 4 Useful Phrases

FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 4 USEFUL PHRASES

Useful phrases for the last part of the First Certificate speaking test, with some examples of how to use
them.

Your Questions Answered

Q - What is an interlocutor? It says that in my FCE coursebook.

A - That's the examiner.

Q - Do I need to have a British accent? Cambridge is in Britain, right?

A - Cambridge is in Britain but an American accent is just fine. ANY accent is fine as long as you speak
clearly and you are understandable.

40 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THE SPEAKING TEST

Here's a list of questions from past First Certificate exams, Cambridge textbooks, and so on. I've also
written sample answers, because I'm an amazing person. You, of course, should think up your own
answers. [Don't memorise answers - it will give a bad impression. Use these questions to practice.]

All these questions will be followed by 'why?' if you dont' give reasons - but you should say why without
being asked.

Many times, the examiner will ask the same question to the second student by saying 'What do you think?'
or 'And you?' But YOU can ask your partner those questions - more talking time for you and more
opportunity to show how you manage a conversation.

TRAVEL

Do you think you have to spend a lot of money to have a good holiday?

I don't know.

(Only joking! Here's a proper reply:)

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No I don't think you have to spend a lot of money, but it helps. Money makes things easier: like you can
stay in the city centre instead of the outskirts. But many fun things are free, like walking beside a river,
and there are always cheap restaurants if you have time to look.

What do you think, Jack?

Some people say we travel too much these days and shouldn't go on so many holidays. What do you
think?

I think it's true we take too many flights - that's a big problem because of the pollution. But I don't have a
problem with people traveling by train - we all work very hard and need a break. Travel broadens the mind
and maybe if we meet more foreign people we won't have so many stupid discussions about immigration.

And you, Jack?

Why do you think people like to go away on holiday?

I heard there is a new word called a staycation - it's a vacation you have in your home. Maybe that's good
because it's cheap, but probably you end up doing your taxes or something. So people need to go away
on holiday to make sure all they can do is relax and enjoy their time.

Am I right, Jack?

(I'm going to stop adding the 'Jack' questions now. I hope you get the idea!)

What do you think is the biggest advantage of living in a place where there are a lot of tourists?

Oh, what a question! I never thought about it until now because I mostly think it's a bad thing to have so
many tourists in your town... but I suppose it's good for the shops and hotels, and maybe some of the
tourists are single and you can find true love.

WHERE YOU LIVE

What can people do to have a good holiday in your country?

Oh, they should definitely go to York. York is one of the most attractive cities in Britain and Yorkshire is
just gorgeous. And the people there are much more friendly than in other cities. So you're very likely to
have a nice time there.

What's good about living in cities in your country?

Personally I think one of the best things about living in Britain is the weather. No, seriously! I love rainy
days and I feel like everyone is a little bit less noisy when it's raining. And everyone knows that British
food is the best in the world. So we've got the best weather and amazing restaurants.

Which is the best city for people to visit in your country?

I would say York for a few days because it's so nice there, but if you have longer, like more than 4 days,
then London is okay. It's got all those famous places to see and lots of things to do. Just don't expect
everyone to be friendly and polite all the time.

If you could choose to visit a city you've never been to, which one would you choose?

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I really want to go to Tokyo one day - it's so big and crazy and there's a lot of things happening all the time.
Just seeing it on the TV makes it seem like a fantastic place to visit, but I don't think I'd want to live there.

Would you prefer to live in a modern city or a city with lots of history?

I love history and a lot of modern buildings have no charm. So that's an easy answer. On the other hand,
I've lived in some beautiful buildings that had very thin windows and no insulation, so a mix of both is
best.

Are there advantages to living in a small town rather than in a big city?

In a small town you have more contact with people - if you like that then that's an advantage. Personally
I'm happy I don't have to talk to my neighbours. But having a sense of community can be very good for
your health.

Do you think it is better for children to grow up in the city or in the countryside?

Probably I'd say it's better to grow up in the countryside and then live in the city, because when you're
near a farm or a forest or something you learn about nature - the names of animals, trees, things like that.
If you just live in the city you don't really learn where food comes from and so on.

HISTORY

What do you think makes a good museum?

Good question - I don't really know because I never found a museum I liked. But if there was one that
wasn't boring, that'd be a good start. Maybe a good museum has more interactive things so people can
understand the history better.

How do you think the teaching of history in schools could be improved?

The main problem with history lessons is that sometimes they're really boring. And ten years later you
watch a movie about the thing you studied and it's actually fascinating. How do they take something
interesting and make it so tedious? So the teachers have to show students why this thing is worth
studying.

Do you agree that learning about our past is important for our future?

Of course, yes, because if we know what happened in the 1930s we can try to stop it happening again
now. I mean, nobody today would vote for a right-wing extremist who wants to kick out all the foreign
people and who is full of hate. Right? Oh.

What was the most important moment in the history of the twentieth century?

Definitely the start of the First World War, because that led to the Second World War and all the political
and social changes. If the first war hadn't happened, I think everything would have gone differently.

What has been the most important moment in your life so far?

I think the most important day of my life was when I found a website called FCE Exam Tips. I was studying
for the First exam but wasn't confident, and after reading the website I felt like a king. Invincible. It made

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me happy to learn English, and that meant I got a good job and I fell in love with a man from England and
now I live in a castle and ride ponies every day.

What items from our lives today will be in the history museums of the future?

Mobile phones, smartphones. Maybe an iPhone because that's the most iconic phone. I think those will
be interesting for people in the future because they will think 'what is this thing?' and in the museum
there will be a note that says 'this is how people used to communicate' and it won't make any sense.
They'll probably laugh at us.

LIFE AND LEISURE

If you could change one thing about your life, what would you change?

Probably my body clock. I really envy those people who get up early and they've gone jogging and cleared
their inbox before I've even got out of bed! I'm a night owl, which is okay, but sometimes I think I'd get
more done if was more like the Swiss.

Many people say life's too busy these days. Why do you think they say this?

They are right, but it's our choice to live that like. You don't have to be on Facebook and Whatsapp, and
you don't have to work five days a week and have four hobbies. Life is busy because we make it busy, but
it's possible to have a lot of things going on while being in control of your time.

Many people want to become famous nowadays. Why do you think this is?

Those famous people, we only see the good parts of their life. The movie premieres, their perfect wedding,
all that stuff. Of course people want to have the same life - the reality is that those famous people are no
happier than any of us. It's all a fantasy.

Is it important to enjoy a job or do you think it's enough to be paid well?

A wise man said that if you enjoy your job you'll never work a day in your life. That's because if you like
your job it doesn't feel like work. It's almost like doing your hobby. I know some people like that and they
are happy. I also know some people who have a lot of money but hate their job. They are always
depressed. For me, it's clear.

How important is it to go on holiday every year?

It's not important to go on holiday like a big trip for three weeks. But it's important to take breaks and to
do different things. If you do the same thing every day, every week, you'll go crazy. So if a holiday is the
thing that makes you do something different, then holidays are important.

Some people say we don't spend enough time talking to each other these days. What do you think?

I think it's not true. You see people on the train all staring at their phones and you think 'oh my god!' But
actually people are as social as ever. They meet friends, they travel together, they eat together. It's just
on the surface that things look different.

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SHOPPING

Some people say there will be no need for shops in the future because we'll buy everything online. What
do you think?

Online shopping is getting more popular but there's a limit to what people will buy online. Books, DVDs,
electronics - those are things you can read about online and buy. But clothes and things you have to touch
and feel - people will always want to see them in a shop first, maybe try them on.

Do you think it's true that we buy a lot of things we don't really need these days?

I'm someone who tries to think about things before I buy, maybe take a couple of weeks to see if I really
need it. But most people aren't like that - they just spend the money without thinking. So, sadly, yes it's
true. We're just shoppers now.

Do you think that out of town shopping centres are a good idea?

Yes and no. Of course it's very convenient and they are really big so they have everything. But it's a shame
to lose the local shops and the variety of shops is much less than it used to be because the out of town
shopping malls have killed so many smaller shops. I'd like to see more local shops, but I often go to the
out of town shops so I'm not really helping.

Is it better to go shopping with friends or alone?

For me, alone, because shopping is stressful and I just want to get in and out of the shop. But going with
friends is good when you buy clothes because you need an honest opinion.

Some people say that shopping ins a leisure activity nowadays. What do you think?

Yes, it's true in many ways. Shops are designed to be a fun event, not just for buying things. You can have
a drink, sit down on comfy sofas, browse for a long time. I know a lot of young people go to the mall the
way I used to go to the park. They stay there the whole day. So yes, for some people it's a hobby.

Do you think that advertising encourages people to spend too much money?

Yes of course! They really know how to get into people's heads and they are experts in making us spend
more money. But I think we have to take responsibility, too. Just because we see something shiny doesn't
mean we should buy it!

TV AND FILMS

Is watching TV the best way for people to spend their free time?

People know what they want and if they want to watch TV that's okay with me. I think there are better
things to do, but sometimes you need some easy, relaxing time and that's where TV is great.

What kind of TV programmes do you like best?

I really like BBC documentaries about animals. How do they get so close to the animals? It's always
fascinating and the quality of the show is so high. It looks great on my big TV.

Some people have more than one television in their home. Do you think this is a good idea?

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I don't like telling people what to do. Maybe they have one television in the living room and one in the
bedroom. If they like falling asleep with the TV on, what's the problem? Maybe it's a problem to have two
TVs if it stops people from hanging out in the same room. Maybe in that situation you talk with your family
less.

Do you think children generally watch too much television in your country?

It's hard to say how much is good and how much is bad. If the parents are happy with how much TV the
children watch then it's okay. The problem is when parents are too tired or busy to talk to their children
and they turn the TV on. Television is not a parent!

Is television the best way of following the news in the world?

Definitely not! TV stations are owned by rich men who want you to think a certain way. They choose the
news we see. The internet is better, but you have to look at a few different sites to get a balanced view of
events.

Do you think watching TV is a good way to learn a language?

It's better than nothing but the problem is people think they can turn the TV on and start learning. I don't
think that's how it works. You have to notice the words and the grammar they are using in the TV show.
You think 'oh, that's the present perfect, I wonder why they used it in this situation?' If you do that then
the TV can be helpful.

What sort of films do you never watch?

I never watch horror movies and I don't understand why other people like them! Why do you want to be
scared? Plus I have nightmares and feel weird the next day. It's not something I like at all.

Are there any films that you’d like to see again?

The other day I watched Frozen and cried like a little baby. I'll watch that one again. But the film I watch
whenever it is on is Die Hard - it's the perfect Christmas movie.

Would you prefer to be in a film or behind the camera?

What a question! I'm not good at acting and I like bossing people around, so I would rather be a director
than a movie star. I'm sure it's harder than it looks though. Most movies are terrible so being a director
must be hard work.

How important do you think it is to watch films in English?

It's not important at all, but I like movies and I like watching them in the original language. I find American
movies easier to understand than British ones, but I prefer British English.

What can you learn about a country’s culture by watching films from that country?

You can learn some things, basic things, but if you really want to learn about a country the best way is to
talk to people from that country. Or you could combine the two, and talk to people from a country about
films from that country!

THANK YOU. THAT IS THE END OF THE TEST.

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BUYING TIME

I've never really thought about that, but...

What a good question!

That's a good question.

That's an interesting question.

Oh! Let me think. Well, ...

“Why do you think many American people vote for Donald Trump?”

“That’s a very interesting question. Let me think... perhaps it’s because he has magnificent hair.”

GIVING YOUR OPINION

What I think is that...

In my opinion, ...

It's clear to me that...

One thing I'm sure of is...

I might be wrong but ...

I'm no expert but...

“Do you think it’s useful to have a careers day in school?”

“It’s clear to me that young people need help choosing a career, so a careers day might be good for them.
I’m no expert but I’m sure those days have helped a lot of people get ideas for the future.”

GIVING REASONS FOR YOUR OPINIONS

... because ....

... so it's obvious that...

... That means...

“What things do you need to think about when choosing a career?”

“The first thing is money. That means knowing how much you will be paid in the career you choose.”

ADDING REASONS

Another thing is...

Apart from that, ...

As well as that, ...

Just as importantly, ...

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There's also the fact that...

And don't forget...

“Just as importantly, you have to choose a career with work that you enjoy.”

ASKING YOUR SPEAKING PARTNER

What do you think, Jack?

Don't you agree?

Do you have anything to say about that?

Jack, do you have anything to add to that?

Did I forget anything?

INTERRUPTING POLITELY

Do you mind if I add something?

I'd like to comment on that.

If I could just make a point.

TRYING TO CHANGE AN OPINION

But don't you think that...

Yes, but isn't it true that...

Okay, but on the other hand...

Maybe there's another way to think about it.

You're partly right, but...

“I think money isn’t the most important thing when you choose a career. The most important thing is to
have fun every day.”

“You’re partly right, but if you want a nice flat or if you have a family, you have to think about how much
money the job pays. Don’t you think?”

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