Speaking

Part 1

When you answer questions in an exam interview, you should avoid:

1. Very brief answer – try to speak for at least for 30 seconds for each question.
2. Listing things – instead, try to give a few examples and justify your answer.
3. Talking about unrelated things – don’t include irrelevant information.
4. Leaving your answer unfinished – finish sentences properly.

Discussing options:

1. Bear in mind that …

2. Don’t forget that …
3. What if there’s no …?
4. If you think about it, …
5. It seems pretty obvious that …
6. Surely… is by far the most essential one …
7. I’d have thought that …
8. We’re bound to need … because …

Asking the examiner to repeat the question.

1. Can you say that again, please?

2. Sorry, I didn’t catch what you said.
3. Would you mind repeating that, please?

Part 2 - Pictures

Example 1. Let me think, both pictures are groups of people. In the picture at the top, there is a group of
young friends, but in the bottom, there are several professional chefs. The scene in the first photo is outside
at the beach, while in the second the chefs are inside a busy restaurant kitchen. The friends are laughing
and look relaxed. Basically, they’re having a picnic and barbecue. In contrast, the chefs are at work and
concentrated very hard on what they’re doing.

Example 2.

I. The photos show two different groups of friends. I’d like you to compare the photo and say how people
are feeling in each situation.

A. Both photos are of female friends. It’s hard to say whether they are best friends. Apart from one of them,
they all seem to be getting on very well. In the first photo, they are at school. My guess is that they are
walking to a lesson. They all look friendly and easygoing. They are happy and are sharing a joke or a story
about something. In the second photo, everyone is older. The girl on the right looks upset. It could be that
she’s annoyed about something they have just said. Another possibility is that the girls on left are
insensitive since they do not include the other girl in the conversation.

Useful language: Look, looks as if, seem to me, I have the impression, it would be. Look as though, looks like
Part 3 - Example

I. I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes. Here are some reasons why people
may or may not go away when they have a holiday and a question for you to discuss. Now talk to each other
about whether is a good idea to go away when you have a holiday.

A. How about starting with this idea: resting after a term at school?

B. Sure, why not?

A. I don’t know about you, but I definitely feel I need a holiday to escape from the daily stress of homework
and tests and getting up early, don’t you?

B. Yeah, definitely. But you do not need to go away to do that. You can rest at home, as well.

A. True. Shall we move on to spending time with your family?

B. Well, I mean yes family time is important but, again, I am not sure I need to go away to do that. I mean,
you can have family time at home just the same. What do you think?

A. I see your point, but it’s actually quite hard to spend quality time with your family if you stay at home
because the temptation is to fall into your usual routines.

B. What do you mean?

A. You know, doing the things that you do at home, like gaming.

B. Ok, so you mean when you are away from your home environment then you are forced to spend time
with your family.

A. Exactly, forced.

B. Fair enough.

A. What about this one, exploring other cultures? I don’t know about you, we usually go on holiday near to
home, to a hotel, or camping. How about you?

B. My family is the same. The point is that you don’t have to experience other cultures to have a good
holiday.

I. Thank you. Now you have about a minute to agree whether or not it’s a good idea going away to have a
good holiday.

B. Ok, we haven’t talked about the last two options. Hanging out with your friends and enjoying exciting
new experiences. For me, hanging out with your friends is not a big deal. I see my friends all the time, but
enjoying exciting new experiences is crucial. In fact, I see it’s the most important fact in a holiday for me,
don’t you?

A. I totally agree. A holiday has to have excitement and new experiences. I think going away makes easier
for that to happen. For the other aspects, spending time with your family is a big one for me, and going
away can help it. So, I think we are in agreement that it’s a good idea to go away when you are on holiday.

B. Agreed.
Part 4 - Example

I. Can young and old people enjoy activities together?

B. In my opinion, they can enjoy a lot of things together. I know older families who go cycling together.
There are activities where age does not matter.

I. Is it a good idea for a family to live together?

A. I haven’t really though about it. I don’t think my grandmother would enjoy living with us.

I. What do you think, B?

B. I know what A means, but I think it can work.

I. Do you think young people spend enough time with older people?

A. The people I know do this. It’s good because if you only speak with people of your own age, you see one
point of view.

Speculating
 I can’t be sure …
 It’s hard to say …
 It could be that …
 It seems as if …
 My guess is that …
 Another possibility is that…
 Perhaps he’s been …

Indirect questions (we use indirect questions to be polite)

 Do you think …?
 Have you any idea who/what/where …?
 Do you know if/whether …?
 Can/Could you tell me who/what/where …?

Arguing for and against

 There are (various) pros and cons …
 The main advantage/disadvantage is that …
 To start with …
 Another factor is …
 It’s also worth bearing in mind the advantages/disadvantages …
 Overall …
Reacting to ideas
Agreeing Adding another idea Disagreeing politely
 Absolutely!  The thing is …  I’m not so sure.
 Yes, that makes sense.  In actual fact, …  I think that’s only true for
 I’d agree (with you) up to  But on the other hand, … …
a point.

Making a discussion (for part 3)

Selecting ideas Inviting a response Responding
 How about starting with  I don’t know about you, but  Sure, why not?
this idea? …  Yeah, definitely.
 Shall we move on to …?  Don’t you / How about you?  Exactly / Indeed.
 What about this one?  What do you think?  Fair enough.
 I totally agree.
 OK, so you mean …
 I see your point, but …
 I mean, yes …, but …
 My family’s the same.
 Agreed.

Keeping talking
Gaining time Saying something in a different way
 Let me see/think …  By that I mean …
 That’s an interesting question.  What I mean is that …
 It’s difficult to say, really.  To put it in another way, …
 Basically, …

Asking for and giving permission

Asking for permission Refusing permission Giving permission
 Do you mind if I …?  I’m sorry, but …  Sure, as long as you …
 Would it be OK if I …?  I’m afraid not.  Go ahead.
 Am I allowed to …?