PET Speaking Tips (approximately 12 minutes)

Two candidates and two examiners

You will be accessed on:

 accurate use of grammar, and range and use of vocabulary

 Pronunciation
 Interactive communication
 Discourse management

Part 1 – 2 minutes (shortest part of the speaking paper)

 ability to interact in general and social situations
 Don’t say too much or too little in this part. Provide your answer with
supporting information, such as giving reasons or examples
E.g. What do you like doing with your friends?
 Don’t answer just yes or no.
 Make sure you use the correct tense when you answer the questions
 Tell us about a celebrity you like
 How often do you use your mobile phone?
 Which do you like better, Saturday or Sunday?

- Part 2 – two minutes (about a photograph) – 1 minute each for two

candidates

Steps to Describe a Photo in a B1 Exam

1. Introduction:
o Briefly mention what the photo is about.
o Use present tenses to describe what is happening in the photo.
2. Setting:
o Describe where the photo is taken (e.g., indoors, outdoors, in a park, at a beach).
o Mention any noticeable weather conditions or time of day if relevant.
3. People:
o Describe the people in the photo.
o Mention their appearance (age, clothes, and expressions).
o Describe their actions and possible relationships to each other.
4. Objects and Activities:
oDescribe any important objects in the photo.
oExplain what activities are taking place.
5. Background and Surroundings:
o Describe what is in the background.
o Mention any significant details or landmarks.
6. Mood and Atmosphere:
o Describe the overall mood of the photo (e.g., happy, relaxed, busy).
o Mention how the photo makes you feel or what you think is happening.
7. Personal Opinion:
o Share your personal opinion about the photo.
o Mention anything you particularly like or find interesting.

Example Description

Let's describe a photo of people having a picnic in a park:

1. Introduction: In the photo, there are several people having a picnic in a park.

2. Setting: The picnic is taking place outdoors on a sunny day. The park looks green and
spacious, with tall trees and a clear blue sky.

3. People: There are four people in the photo: Two adults and two children. The adults seem to
be parents, and the children look like they are around 6 or 7 years old. The adults are sitting on a
blanket, and the children are playing with a ball.

4. Objects and Activities: On the picnic blanket, there are some sandwiches, fruits, and drinks.
The parents are talking and laughing while they watch the children play. The children are
running and seem to be having a lot of fun.

5. Background and Surroundings: In the background, you can see other people walking their
dogs and riding bicycles. There is a small pond with ducks swimming in it.

6. Mood and Atmosphere: The mood of the photo is very happy and relaxed. It looks like a
perfect day for a picnic, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.

7. Personal Opinion: I really like this photo because it reminds me of my own family picnics. It
looks like a wonderful way to spend a sunny day together.

Tips for Describing a Photo

 Be Detailed: Include as many relevant details as possible.

 Stay Organized: Follow a clear structure to make your description easy to follow.
 Use Vocabulary: Utilize a wide range of vocabulary to describe actions, people, and
settings.
 Practice: Practice describing different types of photos to improve your skills.
- Imagine you are describing to someone who can’t see it

Detailed Locations:

 In the foreground, there is a picnic blanket spread out on the grass. On the
blanket, there is a basket filled with food and drinks.
 To the left of the blanket, a woman is sitting and reading a book. She is
wearing a blue dress and a sunhat.
 Next to the woman, a man is lying down and looking at the sky. He is
wearing a white t-shirt and shorts.
 In the middle ground, two children are playing with a ball. They are
standing next to each other and smiling. One child is wearing a red t-shirt,
and the other is wearing a yellow dress.
 Behind the children, there is a small wooden table with more food items and
drinks on it.

4. Foreground, Middle ground, and Background:

 In the foreground, you can see the picnic blanket, the basket, and the adults
sitting on the blanket.
 In the middle ground, the children are playing with the ball.
 In the background, there are tall trees and the small lake. You can also see
some ducks swimming in the lake.

5. Use of Directional Terms:

 To the right of the picnic blanket, there is a bicycle leaning against a tree.
 In the top left corner of the photo, you can see part of the clear blue sky and
some fluffy clouds.
 In the bottom right corner, there is a small bunch of wildflowers.

Key Tips

 Be Detailed: Include as many relevant details as possible to create a vivid

image.
 Use Prepositions Correctly: Make sure to use the appropriate prepositions
to describe locations (e.g., on, in, under, next to, between, behind, in front
of).
 Stay Organized: Follow a clear structure, moving from general to specific
descriptions.
 Practice: Regularly practice describing different photos to improve your
skills.

1. Don’t keep repeating the same vocabulary. Try to use adjective s

and adverbs to make your answer more interesting
sad = miserable/unhappy # happy
tired = exhausted/ sleepy
strange = unexpected/ unusual
huge = very big/enormous
pretty = lovely/nice
ordinary = simple/plain
modern# old fashioned
polite # impolite/rude
boring # fun
noisy # quiet
terrible # wonderful
confident # nervous
2. List of Compound Adjectives for B1 Level:

 Well-known:
o Meaning: Widely recognized or famous.
o Example: He is a well-known actor.
 Old-fashioned:
o Meaning: Not modern; belonging to an earlier time.
o Example: She wore an old-fashioned dress.
 Part-time:
o Meaning: Working or studying only for part of the day or week.
o Example: She has a part-time job at the library.
 High-tech:
o Meaning: Using or involving advanced technology.
o Example: They work in a high-tech industry.
 Good-looking:
o Meaning: Attractive or pleasant in appearance.
o Example: She is a good-looking person.
 Middle-aged:
o Meaning: Between 45 and 65 years old.
o Example: He is a middle-aged man.
 Short-term:
o Meaning: Lasting for a short period.
o Example: This is a short-term solution.
 Long-term:
o Meaning: Lasting for a long period.
o Example: They made a long-term plan.
 Five-star:
o Meaning: Of the highest quality or rank.
o Example: They stayed at a five-star hotel.
 World-famous:
o Meaning: Known all over the world.
o Example: Paris is a world-famous city.
 Self-made:
o Meaning: Having achieved success by oneself, without help.
o Example: He is a self-made millionaire.
 Brand-new:
o Meaning: Completely new.
o Example: She bought a brand-new car.
 Blue-eyed:
o Meaning: Having blue eyes.
o Example: The blue-eyed child was very charming.
 Left-handed:
o Meaning: Using the left hand more naturally than the right.
o Example: He is left-handed and finds some tasks difficult.
 Full-time:
o Meaning: Working or studying for the whole of the normal working week.
o Example: She has a full-time position at the company.
 User-friendly:
o Meaning: Easy to use or understand.
o Example: The software is very user-friendly.
 Mouth-watering:
o Meaning: Appealing or tempting, especially food.
o Example: The bakery has a lot of mouth-watering cakes.
 Well-behaved:
o Meaning: Acting in a manner that is polite and respectful.
o Example: The children were very well-behaved during the trip.
 Well-educated:
o Meaning: Having received a good education.
o Example: He is a well-educated individual with a degree from a prestigious
university.
 Well-dressed:
o Meaning: Wearing stylish or elegant clothes.
o Example: She always looks well-dressed for her meetings.
 Hard-working:
o Meaning: Putting a lot of effort into work or a task.
o Example: He is a hard-working student.
 All-inclusive:
o Meaning: Including everything.
o Example: They went on an all-inclusive vacation.
 High-pitched:
o Meaning: Having a high frequency or tone.
o Example: The singer has a high-pitched voice.
 Time-consuming:
o Meaning: Taking a lot of time.
o Example: Learning a new language can be time-consuming.
 Easy-going:
o Meaning: Relaxed and not easily upset.
o Example: She has an easy-going personality.
 Well-organized:
o Meaning: Arranged or structured efficiently.
o Example: The event was well-organized and went smoothly.
 High-speed:
o Meaning: Very fast.
o Example: They took a high-speed train to the city.
 Low-fat:
o Meaning: Containing a small amount of fat.
o Example: She prefers low-fat yogurt for breakfast.
 Well-paid:
o Meaning: Receiving a good salary.
o Example: He has a well-paid job in the tech industry.
 Open-minded:
o Meaning: Willing to consider new ideas or opinions.
o Example: She is very open-minded and loves learning about different cultures.

3. Idioms for B1 Level Learners:

 A piece of cake
o Meaning: Something very easy to do.
o Example: The test was a piece of cake.
 Break the ice
o Meaning: To start a conversation in a social setting.
o Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the party.
 Hit the nail on the head
o Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
o Example: You hit the nail on the head when you said she was upset about the
deadline.
 Bite the bullet
o Meaning: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.
o Example: I didn't want to go to the dentist, but I had to bite the bullet.
 Cost an arm and a leg
o Meaning: Very expensive.
o Example: The new phone cost an arm and a leg.
 Let the cat out of the bag
o Meaning: To reveal a secret.
o Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
 Hit the books
o Meaning: To study very hard.
o Example: I have to hit the books tonight for my exam tomorrow.
 Under the weather
o Meaning: Feeling ill.
o Example: She's a bit under the weather today and won't be coming in.
 Pull someone's leg
o Meaning: To joke or tease someone.
o Example: Are you pulling my leg, or is there really no school tomorrow?
 Burn the midnight oil
o Meaning: To work late into the night.
o Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my project.
 Jump the gun
o Meaning: To do something too soon or before the right time.
o Example: They jumped the gun by announcing the new product before it was
ready.
 Twin flame – a person who is said to be the other half of your soul, and who you share
an intense connection with.
 On cloud nine
o Meaning: Extremely happy.
o Example: She was on cloud nine when she heard the news.
 Bite off more than you can chew
o Meaning: To take on a task that is too big or difficult.
o Example: I think I bit off more than I can chew by agreeing to run the marathon.
 Hit the sack/hay
o Meaning: To go to bed.
o Example: I’m really tired, so I’m going to hit the sack.
 When pigs fly
o Meaning: Something that will never happen.
o Example: He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.
 Break a leg
o Meaning: Good luck (used to wish someone success, especially in performing).
o Example: You’re going to do great in your performance tonight. Break a leg!
 Spill the beans
o Meaning: To reveal a secret.
o Example: Who spilled the beans about the surprise party?
 Feel under the weather
o Meaning: To feel ill or unwell.
o Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’m going to stay home..
 Kick the bucket
o Meaning: To die.
o Example: The old car finally kicked the bucket.
 Once in a blue moon/once in a lifetime
o Meaning: Very rarely.
o Example: She visits her old hometown once in a blue moon.
 Get cold feet
o Meaning: To be nervous or anxious about something.
o Example: He got cold feet just before his wedding.
 Barking up the wrong tree
o Meaning: To pursue the wrong course or direction.
o Example: If you think I’m responsible for the mistake, you’re barking up the
wrong tree.
 Keep an eye on
o Meaning: To watch carefully or take care of something.
o Example: Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
 Pull yourself together
o Meaning: To calm down and behave normally.
o Example: You need to pull yourself together and face the situation.
 Cut to the chase
o Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.
o Example: We’re short on time, so let’s cut to the chase.
 Cry over spilled milk
o Meaning: To be upset about something that cannot be changed.
o Example: It’s no use crying over spilled milk. We need to find a solution.

How to describe people in the photo

Steps to Describe People in a Photo

Appearance:

Describe the physical appearance of the people (age, gender, hair color, clothing, etc.).

Mention any noticeable features (glasses, hats, accessories).

1. Actions:
o Explain what the people are doing.
o Describe their body language and facial expressions.
2. Relationships:
o Mention any possible relationships between the people (friends, family,
colleagues).
3. Positioning:
o Describe where the people are located in the photo (left, right, center, background,
foreground).

Example Description

Let's describe a photo of a family at a beach:

1. Introduction: In the photo, there is a family enjoying a day at the beach.

2. Appearance:
 There are four people in the photo: two adults and two children.
 The man is tall with short brown hair. He is wearing blue swim shorts and sunglasses.
 The woman has long blonde hair tied in a ponytail. She is wearing a red swimsuit and a
white sunhat.
 The boy looks about eight years old. He has short blonde hair and is wearing green swim
trunks.
 The girl looks about six years old. She has curly brown hair and is wearing a pink
swimsuit with a matching sunhat.

3. Actions:

 The man is standing in the water, holding a beach ball and smiling.
 The woman is sitting on a beach towel, applying sunscreen to the boy's back.
 The boy is sitting next to the woman, playing with a toy shovel and bucket.
 The girl is running towards the water with a small inflatable ring around her waist,
laughing.

4. Relationships:

 It looks like they are a family. The man and woman are likely the parents, and the boy
and girl are their children.

5. Positioning:

 The man is on the left side of the photo, in the water.

 The woman and the boy are in the center, sitting on the beach towel.
 The girl is on the right side of the photo, running towards the water.

Key Tips

 Be Detailed: Provide as many relevant details as possible.

 Use Clear Language: Use simple, clear sentences to describe each person.
 Focus on Different Aspects: Include details about appearance, actions, and relationships.
 Practice: Practice describing various photos to get comfortable with this format.

Photo Description: A Group of Friends at a Park

1. Introduction: In the photo, there is a group of friends having a picnic at a park.

2. Appearance:

 There are five people in the photo: three women and two men.
 One woman has curly black hair and is wearing a yellow dress. Another woman has short
red hair and is wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans. The third woman has long brown hair and
is wearing a green skirt and a white blouse.
 One man has a beard and is wearing a white shirt and shorts. The other man has glasses
and is wearing a striped t-shirt and khaki pants.

3. Actions:

 The woman in the yellow dress is pouring juice into a cup.

 The woman with short red hair is holding a sandwich and smiling.
 The woman in the green skirt is playing a guitar.
 The man with the beard is lying on the grass, looking up at the sky.
 The man with glasses is taking a photo with his phone.

4. Relationships:

 They seem to be friends enjoying a sunny day together.

5. Positioning:

 The woman in the yellow dress is on the left side, near the picnic basket.
 The woman with the short red hair is sitting next to her, in the center.
 The woman in the green skirt is sitting on the right side, playing the guitar.
 The man with the beard is lying on the grass, in the foreground.
 The man with glasses is standing in the background, taking a photo.
Describing the Photo

Introduction: In this photo, we see five young adults sitting on the ground against a brick wall.

Appearance:

 From left to right:

o The first person is a woman with curly brown hair. She is wearing a white t-shirt,
blue jeans, and white sneakers. She is holding a tablet and appears to be reading
something on it.
o The second person is a woman with long straight hair, wearing a green plaid shirt,
blue jeans, and white sneakers. She is smiling and looking at something on the
ground.
o The third person is a man with short dark hair and a beard. He is wearing a black
shirt, blue jeans, and brown shoes. He is holding a laptop on his lap and smiling.
o The fourth person is a man with short dark hair, wearing a white t-shirt with
maroon sleeves, blue jeans, and white sneakers. He is looking at his phone and
smiling.
o The fifth person is a woman with long blonde hair, wearing a light blue denim
jacket, blue jeans, and white sneakers. She is looking at her phone and smiling.

Actions:

 The people in the photo are engaged with their electronic devices. The first woman is
reading on her tablet, the man in the middle is using his laptop, and the other two people
on the right are looking at their phones.
 All of them are smiling, indicating they are enjoying what they are doing.

Setting:

 They are sitting on a brick pavement with their backs against a gray brick wall. The wall
is slightly worn and gives a rustic look to the scene.

Relationships:

 They appear to be friends, as they are sitting close together and seem comfortable and
happy in each other's company.

Positioning:

 The group is sitting in a straight line against the wall. The woman with the curly hair is
on the far left, followed by the woman in the plaid shirt, the man with the laptop in the
center, the man with the maroon-sleeved shirt to his right, and the woman in the denim
jacket on the far right.
In this photo, we see a group of young adults studying together in a library.

Appearance:

 From left to right:

o The first person is a woman with glasses and long brown hair. She is resting her
chin on her hand and looking forward thoughtfully.
o The second person is a woman with long straight hair wearing a denim jacket. She
is focused on the laptop screen in front of her.
o The third person is a woman with dark braided hair, wearing a light gray sweater.
She is sitting next to the second woman and is also looking at the laptop screen.
o The fourth person is a man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a white
sweater. He is sitting at a distance from the others, also looking at a computer
screen.

Actions:

 The group is engaged in studying or working on a project together. The women in the
center are focused on the laptop screen, possibly working on an assignment.
 The man in the background is also working on a computer, possibly on a separate task.

Setting:

 The setting appears to be a library or a study area. Bookshelves filled with books are
visible in the background, and the students are sitting at a long wooden table.
 There are papers, books, and coffee cups on the table, indicating that they are in a study
session.

Relationships:

 The students seem to be working together, likely on a group project or study session,
showing a collaborative environment.
 The proximity and the shared focus on the laptop suggest they are classmates or friends.

Positioning:

 The students are seated next to each other at the table. The woman with glasses is on the
far left, followed by the woman in the denim jacket, then the woman in the gray sweater.
The man is seated a bit further back, indicating he might be working individually.

Key Points

 Be Detailed: Mention specific details about their appearance and actions.

 Use Clear Language: Use simple and clear sentences.
 Focus on Different Aspects: Appearance, actions, setting, relationships, and positioning.

Part 3 Speaking ( four minutes)

- gave a discussion with your partner
- given an imaginary situation for you to discuss and some ideas in the
forms of pictures
- discuss the situation ideally , come up with the best idea
- It’s ok if you don’t discuss every idea, but try to consider as many as
possible
- Do your best to reach an agreement before the time is up.
- Whenever you make a point, try to provide a reason for it. Explain why
you believe the idea will work or won’t work.
Agreeing –
It’s a great idea.
I think you’re right
That’s true because..
Yes, I agree with that.
Disagreeing
Well, I disagree because …
I’m afraid I don’t agree…
I don’t think that would work
Sorry, I don’t see it that way.
I could see the advantages, but there could be some issues.

Making suggestions
Maybe we could..
Why don’t we…
What if…
How about…?

Respond to ideas
And you? What do you think?
Do you agree?
How does that sound to you?
What do you think we should do?
How do you feel or think about idea of cake sale, then?

Showing your ideas

Personally,
In my opinion,
Yes, I see what you mean.
As far as I’m concerned,

Think about pros and cons of each point.

Speaking part 4 (three minutes)
- part 4 always links to part 3.
- You need to listen carefully and think about what you are being asked.
Both of you might be asked the same question. So listen carefully when
your partner is answering and try to answer with another word
(synonyms)
- think about the question types:
habits ( every day, I bring my own cup to the café….)
likes or dislikes ( yes, I too fell it’s true..)
personal opinion ( from my point of view, As far as I’m concerned…)
personal experience ( I worked with…..)
preference (prefer or would rather ….)
recommendation
agree or disagree ( but….)