PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 3 - Two-way Collaborative Task - Tips

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

PAPER 5: Speaking - Part 3 - Two-way Collaborative Task - Specific tips to remember while in the exam

Part 3: COLLABORATIVE TWO-WAY TASK - 3 minutes

Tips to remember while in the exam

NB: If you have registered with an examination centre, ask them to put you in contact with another candidate (to give you time and practice speaking and getting to know and be comfortable with them before the test begins) who may do the oral test with you.

- You must work with and cooperate with the other candidate(s).

- Speak to your partner(s) only.
- Do not look, or speak, to the examiner.
- You both have to work together to answer the questions and come to a firm agreement asked of you both.
- You are expected to show that you can work together easily and come to an amicable agreement.
- This part of the exam takes a lot of training and rehearsal, as you have to cooperate and get to the finish in time.

Here is a good tip for this part of the exam:

1. One partner focuses on making sure that as many photos are discussed and that each of you talk about each photo: 4 out of 5 or 5 out of 8. (2 to 2.5 minutes).

   -- Take turns to talk about each photo.
   -- Take up to 15 seconds to talk about each photo. No more!
   -- Directing the examiner so as to be able to identify which photo/part you are referring to.
   -- Use the following examples:

                In the top left-hand corner, I can see...
                In the middle/centre of the picture, I can see... 
                There is a woman/man, girl/boy, family/group, playing in the picture...
                I can see a woman...

    -- Use of present continuous tense: Actions and clothing:

               The woman is running. She is wearing a blue leather jacket.

2. The other partner(s) make(s) sure that a decision or agreement of the two choices is obtained by both of you, and agreement is seen to be reached within the 3-minute time frame. (1 to 1.5 minutes) Do not introduce any new arguments.

   -- In concluding, make sure to include the related question asked of you when introducing the decision making process.
   -- The idea is to conclude the two-way task in agreement with your partner(s).
   -- Make sure that both of you are seen to agree within the time limit. Failure to do so will be penalized heavily.- Make certain that you fully appreciate the task involved (the questions are above the pictures), and work with your partner(s) to try to complete it as best you can.

NB: Some exam videos state that it is not necessary to finish completely the task set out in this part. I would say that it is always better to complete the task where possible! Why else would Cambridge set the task this way then?