Summary of English Speaking Exam Preparation Guide
English Speaking Exam Preparation Guide: Ace Your Test!
Introduction
This material is designed for university students preparing for the English Speaking Exam (inspired by the Cambridge B2 format). Here you will find a clear and practical guide to the four parts of the exam: interview, long turn, collaborative task, and discussion. It includes examples, useful phrases, assessment criteria, and strategies to improve your performance.
Definition: The speaking exam assesses the candidate's ability to communicate clearly, use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, organize ideas, and participate interactively and naturally.
Exam Structure
- Part 1 — Interview: Personal questions about your life, routine, and family.
- Part 2 — Long Turn: Individual description and comparison of images.
- Part 3 — Collaborative Task: Making decisions with a partner about a real-life situation.
- Part 4 — Discussion: A broader, more spontaneous conversation on related topics.
Objectives for Each Part
- Part 1: Demonstrate fluency in brief, coherent responses on personal topics.
- Part 2: Produce an organized monologue using adjectives and comparatives.
- Part 3: Negotiate and reach agreements using imperatives and practical expressions.
- Part 4: Maintain a spontaneous and reasoned exchange with the examiner.
Assessment Criteria (aligned with Cambridge B2)
- Grammar and Vocabulary: Correct use of the present simple, have got, imperatives, and unit vocabulary.
- Discourse management (coherence and cohesion): Clear, organized, and complete ideas.
- Pronunciation: Understandable intonation, stress, and pronunciation.
- Interactive communication: Active participation, turn-taking, and natural responses.
Definition: Discourse management refers to the ability to organize discourse so that it is coherent and easy to follow.
Part 1 — Interview: Common Questions and Useful Examples
- Question: "Tell me about your week."
- Example Answer: "This week I attended lectures, studied for two exams and met friends on Thursday." (adapt to your level)
- Question: "What do you usually do on weekdays and weekends?"
- Key Vocabulary: weekdays, weekends, study, work, relax, go out.
- Question: "How do you travel to work or university? Do you go by bus, car, bike, or on foot? Why?"
- Strategy: Mention your main method and give a brief reason.
- Example: "I usually go by bike because it’s faster and good exercise."
- Question: "Have you got a small or big family? Describe one person. What has he or she got?"
- Recommended Structure: Family size + physical and personality description + possessions (has got).
- Example: "I’ve got a small family. My sister has got long brown hair and she’s very friendly. She has got a laptop and a camera."
Part 2 — Long Turn: Describing and Comparing Images
How to Do It Step-by-Step
- Observe both images carefully.
- Describe each image in 3–4 sentences, using adjectives for size, color, and mood.
- Use comparatives to contrast them (e.g., bigger, more modern, quieter).
- Conclude by stating which you prefer and why.
Definition: A comparative compares two things; for example, "quieter" compares noise levels.
Practical Example:
- Images: student eating fast food vs. family sharing a home-cooked meal.
- Description: "The student is eating fast food in a busy cafeteria; it looks convenient but unhealthy. The family is sharing a home-cooked healthy meal at a calm table."
- Comparison: "The cafeteria is noisier and less healthy than the family meal. The family environment is more comfortable and healthier."
- Preference: "I would prefer the family meal because it’s healthier and more relaxing."
Comparison Table: Places to Eat
| Feature | Fast Food (Cafeteria) | Home-cooked Meal (Home) |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | noisy | quiet |
| Health | less healthy | healthier |
| Price | inexpensive | variable |
| Social | less family-oriented | more intimate |
💡 Did you know?Fun fact: Did you know that regularly eating meals as
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English Oral Exam
Klíčové pojmy: 4-part structure: interview, long turn, collaborative task, discussion, Use present simple and have got correctly, Describe images: 3–4 sentences + comparatives, In the collaborative task, use imperatives and propose solutions, Organize your discourse with connectors and coherence, Practice pronunciation by recording yourself and reviewing, Travel checklist: list what you have and what's missing, Give reasons and examples in the discussion, Prefer complete sentences and avoid one-word answers, Use adjectives in order to describe places
## Introduction
This material is designed for university students preparing for the **English Speaking Exam** (inspired by the Cambridge B2 format). Here you will find a clear and practical guide to the four parts of the exam: interview, long turn, collaborative task, and discussion. It includes examples, useful phrases, assessment criteria, and strategies to improve your performance.
> Definition: The speaking exam assesses the candidate's ability to communicate clearly, use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, organize ideas, and participate interactively and naturally.
## Exam Structure
1. **Part 1 — Interview**: Personal questions about your life, routine, and family.
2. **Part 2 — Long Turn**: Individual description and comparison of images.
3. **Part 3 — Collaborative Task**: Making decisions with a partner about a real-life situation.
4. **Part 4 — Discussion**: A broader, more spontaneous conversation on related topics.
### Objectives for Each Part
- Part 1: Demonstrate fluency in brief, coherent responses on personal topics.
- Part 2: Produce an organized monologue using adjectives and comparatives.
- Part 3: Negotiate and reach agreements using imperatives and practical expressions.
- Part 4: Maintain a spontaneous and reasoned exchange with the examiner.
## Assessment Criteria (aligned with Cambridge B2)
- **Grammar and Vocabulary**: Correct use of the *present simple*, *have got*, imperatives, and unit vocabulary.
- **Discourse management (coherence and cohesion)**: Clear, organized, and complete ideas.
- **Pronunciation**: Understandable intonation, stress, and pronunciation.
- **Interactive communication**: Active participation, turn-taking, and natural responses.
> Definition: Discourse management refers to the ability to organize discourse so that it is coherent and easy to follow.
## Part 1 — Interview: Common Questions and Useful Examples
- Question: "Tell me about your week."
- Example Answer: "This week I attended lectures, studied for two exams and met friends on Thursday." (adapt to your level)
- Question: "What do you usually do on weekdays and weekends?"
- Key Vocabulary: weekdays, weekends, study, work, relax, go out.
- Question: "How do you travel to work or university? Do you go by bus, car, bike, or on foot? Why?"
- Strategy: Mention your main method and give a brief reason.
- Example: "I usually go by bike because it’s faster and good exercise."
- Question: "Have you got a small or big family? Describe one person. What has he or she got?"
- Recommended Structure: Family size + physical and personality description + possessions (has got).
- Example: "I’ve got a small family. My sister has got long brown hair and she’s very friendly. She has got a laptop and a camera."
## Part 2 — Long Turn: Describing and Comparing Images
### How to Do It Step-by-Step
1. Observe both images carefully.
2. Describe each image in 3–4 sentences, using adjectives for size, color, and mood.
3. Use comparatives to contrast them (e.g., bigger, more modern, quieter).
4. Conclude by stating which you prefer and why.
> Definition: A comparative compares two things; for example, "quieter" compares noise levels.
Practical Example:
- Images: student eating fast food vs. family sharing a home-cooked meal.
- Description: "The student is eating fast food in a busy cafeteria; it looks convenient but unhealthy. The family is sharing a home-cooked healthy meal at a calm table."
- Comparison: "The cafeteria is noisier and less healthy than the family meal. The family environment is more comfortable and healthier."
- Preference: "I would prefer the family meal because it’s healthier and more relaxing."
Comparison Table: Places to Eat
| Feature | Fast Food (Cafeteria) | Home-cooked Meal (Home) |
|---|---:|---:|
| Atmosphere | noisy | quiet |
| Health | less healthy | healthier |
| Price | inexpensive | variable |
| Social | less family-oriented | more intimate |
Fun fact: Did you know that regularly eating meals as