PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 2 - Individual Long Turn - Tips

PAPER 5: SPEAKING (14 MINUTES) 4 parts in total to speak on – 40 points in total

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 2 - Individual Long Turn - Tips to remember while in the exam

Part 2: INDIVIDUAL LONG TURN – PICTURES - 4 minutes

Tips to remember while in the exam

- You speak for one minute only on two similar/different pictures.

- Pick up any FCE book or glossy magazine and try it with them.

- Pick out three (3) things you notice about the differences/comparisons in each of the pictures.

- Try to get your expression and detail down to one minute.

- Practise speaking about two pictures as many times as possible with your partner before the exam.

- The instructions always have two parts for you to respond to.

- Pay attention to each part of the instructions.

- You have to compare two photos (1 minute) and give your (personal) reaction (listen to the second part of the instruction) to the two photos you are given.

- It is very important to understand and answer the second part of the instruction in this part.

- Ask for the question to be repeated if do not understand the question/instruction. 

- Refer to the question which will be printed above the photos, should all else fail.

-  You must answer both parts successfully.

- If the examiner says to you, “...And?” with a funny look, it means you have not answered both questions completely! So jump in and finish off your answer quickly.

- Just focus on comparing the photos and answering the printed question as best as you can.

- Don’t worry if the examiner interrupts/stops you after about a minute. Don’t panic/worry! This is not negative. The examiner is just following his/her instructions as per the exam criteria.

- The examiner must stop you speaking after about a minute.

- When your partner is answering this part, pay attention to what your partner says about their pictures.

- You are given an opportunity to look at your partner’s photos too.

- They will be face down on the table and easy for both of you to see them.

- Take a good look at them and note any distinct differences that appear in them.

- Quickly think about what your partner has been asked.

- Listen to your partner speak about his/her pictures.

- Don’t make any comment until you are directly asked by the examiner to do so.

- You will then be asked to respond to a question related to the other candidate’s pictures (20 seconds response to this question.)

- Respond as fully as possible to his/her question.

- You may ask for the question to be repeated.

- It is not a mere yes/no response required of you.

- You must try to elaborate as much as possible for the 20 seconds you are given.

- The examiner will indicate for you to stop.