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Part 1: General Questions

Respond to questions, giving factual or personal information. It lasts 2 minutes.

Answer the questions completely: Answer + Explanation + Example.

Eg: What is your favourite colour? My favourite colour is green because I love
nature. My bedroom, for example, is green.

Possible Questions

• What’s your name? Can you spell it?

• How old are you?
• Where do you live/come from?
• Do you study/work?
• What’s your favourite subject?
• What’s your favourite sport?
• What’s your favourite colour?
• What’s your favourite food or drink?
• Do you have any hobby?
• What do you do during the week?// Can you talk about your routine?
• What did you do yesterday?
• What are you going to do tomorrow?
• How do you get to work/school/university every day?
• Do you usually travel by car?
• What did you do yesterday evening/last weekend? Did you do anything
yesterday evening/last weekend?
• Do you think that English will be useful for you in the future?
• Will you use English in the future?
• Tell us about the people you live with.
• Do you live with friends/your family?
• What will you do when you finish high school?

Tip: Answer the questions with the same tense. For example, if ‘will’ is used,
DON’T use ‘going to’.

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Part 2: Description of a photograph

Describe one colour photograph, talking for about 1 minute. This lasts 3 minutes
approx. The interlocutor may ask questions about the picture; that's why it is
important to say the most in one minute.

Example 1: A group of friends having a picnic in the park

Introduction:
"In this picture, I can see a group of friends enjoying a lovely picnic in a park."

Description of the Setting:

"The park is filled with lush green grass and tall trees, providing a picturesque
backdrop for the picnic. The sun is shining brightly, casting a warm glow on the
scene."

Description of the People:

"There are four friends in the picture. They are sitting on a colorful picnic blanket
spread out on the grass. They seem relaxed and happy, with smiles on their
faces."

Clothing and Physical Appearance:

"The friends are wearing casual and comfortable clothes, perfect for a day
outdoors. One of the friends is wearing a cap, shielding their face from the sun.
Another friend has a backpack by their side."

Activities and Objects:

"In the center of the picture, I can see a delicious spread of food on the picnic
blanket. There are sandwiches, fruits, and a bottle of refreshing lemonade. It
looks like they are enjoying a scrumptious meal together."

Conclusion:
"Overall, this picture captures a joyful moment of friends coming together to enjoy
a picnic in the park. It showcases the beauty of nature, friendship, and the
pleasures of sharing good food in a relaxed setting."

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Example two: Two women having fun outside

This is a picture of a girl/a boy/a man/a woman/people who is/are…

It looks like they are…or they might be…
Also, it seems to be summer/winter/a nice day/morning because/since/as…
He/She/They is/are wearing…
There is/are… and… or something like that/of the sort on the table/chair/desk.
And there are some kind of…, too.
In the background, I can see…
In my opinion,…
If I were in this situation, I would be happy/sad/stressed/having fun
because/since/as…

Tips:
• Begin with an introductory sentence that states what you see in the picture.
• Describe the setting, including any notable features or objects.
• Focus on the people in the picture, describing their appearance and
activities.
• Highlight any significant details or objects in the image.
• Conclude with a brief summary of the overall atmosphere or mood of the
picture.

Phrases

• To start your speech:

In this picture/photograph/image, I can see...
This picture/photograph/image shows...
In this picture/photograph/image, it is possible/plausible to see...
This is a picture of…

• To point to sth:

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At the top/bottom of the picture ...
In the middle of the picture ...
On the left/right of the picture ...
Next to
In front of
Behind
Near
On top of
Under

• To show your thoughts:

It looks like a ...
It might be a ...
He could be ...ing
Maybe/Perehaps it’s a ...
It seems/appears to...

Possible pictures:

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Part 3: Discussion
You are given a situation with possible solutions and/or outcomes. You must talk
to your partner and decide which option is the better one by making and
responding to suggestions, discussing alternatives and negotiating agreement.
This lasts 4 minutes. Example:

Candidate 1: To begin with, in my opinion, one idea is to visit historical landmarks

and museums to learn more about our country's history and culture. It would be
fascinating to see the iconic buildings and artifacts.

Candidate 2: That sounds interesting, but I believe we should also explore the
vibrant markets and shopping districts. We could stroll through the bustling
streets, shop for souvenirs, and taste the local cuisine. It would be a great
opportunity to experience the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Candidate 1: I agree with both ideas, but I think we shouldn't miss the chance to
visit a famous amusement park or entertainment center. We could enjoy thrilling
rides, play games, and have fun together. It would definitely create unforgettable
memories.

Candidate 2: Those are all great suggestions, but I think we should also consider
visiting the city's parks and gardens. We could have a picnic, play sports, or
simply relax amidst the greenery. It would be a refreshing break from the hustle
and bustle of the city.

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Candidate 1: That’s true! Nature is important too. In addition to that, I think we
should take a guided tour of the city to learn about its architecture and landmarks.
We could also take a boat tour along the river or visit a famous observatory for
breathtaking views of the city skyline.

Candidate 2: Absolutely! And how about attending a cultural performance or live

music concert? We could experience the city's artistic side, appreciate local
talents, and immerse ourselves in the rich cultural heritage.

Candidate 1: All these activities sound amazing, but if I had to choose one, I
would say visiting the historical landmarks and museums would be the most
interesting. It's a chance to learn about our country's past and understand its
significance. Plus, I think it would be inspiring and educational for all of us.

Candidate 2: I can see why that would be a compelling choice. However, I'm also
drawn to the idea of exploring the parks and gardens. It would offer a balance of
relaxation and enjoyment amidst nature, allowing us to appreciate the city's
beauty in a different way.

Candidate 1: I couldn’t agree more! In all, the students from the small village
school have various options for activities in the capital city. They could visit
historical landmarks and museums, explore markets and shopping districts, enjoy
amusement parks or entertainment centers, appreciate the city's parks and
gardens, take guided tours, attend cultural performances, or even experience live
music concerts. While each activity has its own appeal, to me, it seems that
visiting the historical landmarks and museums or exploring the parks and gardens
are the most favored choices among the students.

Tip: During the speaking exam, it is important to actively engage in the

conversation, express your opinions, provide reasons for your choices, and
interact with your fellow candidates.

Phrases to use:

• Expressing personal opinions

To me,...
As far as I am concerned,…
In my opinion, …
From my point of view/viewpoint, …
Personally, I think …
It would seem to me that…
As far as I am able to judge, …
As I see it, …
Frankly, I believe…
I reckon…
To my mind, …
If you ask me, I think…
In my view, …

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I’d like to say …
In my experience, …
The point is this: …
The point is, …
Speaking for myself, …

• Asking for opinions

What’s your opinion (of ...)?
What do you think (of ...)?
What do you make of...?
What is your take on...?
How do you feel about …?
What do you reckon (to …)?
What about …?
What’s your view on the matter (of …)?
How do you see …?
Wouldn't you agree...?

• Expressing agreement
I’d go along with you there/on that.
I take your point.
I concur.
Yes, I’d tend to agree with you there/on that.
I couldn’t agree more!
I’m with you there/on that.
I agree with you entirely.
That’s just the way/what I think, too. I would also say...
That’s a good point.
You’ve got a point there.
You’re absolutely right.
I see eye to eye with you on that.
Exactly!
I feel the same way.

• Expressing disagreement
Do you really believe so?
I wouldn’t go along with you there/on that.
I’m not really sure if I would agree/go along with you there/on that.
I wouldn’t agree.
I’m afraid I disagree.
Yes, but, on the other hand …
On the contrary, …
To me, that’s not entirely true.
All right, but don’t you believe …?
Do you mean to tell me that …?
So what you’re saying is that …

• Giving clarification
Well, what I’m trying to say is …
The point I’m trying to make is …

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Well, I think/suppose what I mean is …
All I’m trying to say is …
Well, frankly/to be frank, …
Let me rephrase what I said.
What I meant to say was …
I think you misunderstood what I said.
What I meant to say was …
When I said… I meant…
Perhaps I should clarify that.
Not exactly. What I was saying was…
Sure!

• Response
I see/take your point, but …
Possibly, but …
Maybe so, but …
I’d agree with you to a certain extent, but …
That may well be, but …
Fair enough, but …

• Summarizing a discussion
Then we agree.
Basically we’re in agreement.
I think we have agreed to disagree.
So we are of the same mind.
Basically we are of one mind.
Great minds think alike.

• Asking for time to think/Pause fillers

Could you please repeat the question?
That's an interesting question. May I have a moment to gather my
thoughts?
Could you give me a moment to think about that?
There are a lot of thoughts that race through my mind when it comes to
this topic. However, most importantly, I would say that...
I'mnot quite sure, let me get my thoughts together.

Possible situations

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Part 4: General Conversation

In this part, candidates answer question on the situation shown in part 3. You are
going to talk about likes, dislikes, experiences, opinions and habits, among
others. This lasts 3 minutes.

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