Speaking Exam Information

Click on the links below for example speaking exams, including information about how the exam is structured. The final link - 'Sample Speaking Exam 3: Top Tips' - is especially useful:

Sample Speaking Exam
Sample Speaking Exam 2

Sample Speaking Exam 3: Top Tips

Below are links to videos of the speaking exam being carried out. It would be extremely useful for you to watch at least one of these videos, as this would give you a really good idea of exactly what to expect.

Sample Speaking Exam: Video 1

Sample Speaking Exam: Video 2

Useful Phrases for the Speaking Exam:

Introducing yourself

I'm speaking English for my own satisfaction / my job / in order to improve my employment prospects / so that I can study a degree/course in …

If you want to get ahead these days, you need to have a good command of English

I’ve always loved (the sea).

I'd love to visit places untouched by man.

However, there's no place like home.

That's a big question!

I want to be a useful member of society.

I'm keen on ...

I'm an avid (traveler, reader) ...

I haven't given it much thought until now.

Analysing pictures

What strikes me about the first picture is the fact that...

This picture reminds me of...

Judging from the photograph, the children...

The man appears to be...

From what we can see here, he must...

There are many similarities...

Both pictures depict...

Both pictures are quite similar in that they show...

When you give it a closer look it reveals...

The first picture ... whereas the other picture ...

Another important difference is...

Picture ... doesn't show ... as clearly as ...

Picture ... attempts to ... but I think picture ... does this more effectively...

All pictures are interesting, but ... gives a stronger idea of...

It's difficult to tell from a photograph but this picture could have been taken in ...

I might be wrong, but I'd say that this picture ...

I would imagine/guess that this picture comes from ...

…picture ... is by far the best to show … because ...

To me, picture ... is essential for this kind of publication.

I'm surprised there is no picture showing...

A picture of ... would get the message across more effectively.

The cover would be so much better if we had a picture of ...

So let's look at the alternatives ...

The name for this escapes me at present, but it's for/it's like ...

The name for it is on the tip of my tongue ...

Expressing Opinions

As far as the problem in question is concerned ...

The main problem centres around ...

It's my belief ...

For my part ...

As I see it ...

As I was saying ...

I forgot to mention ...

I'm of the opinion that ...

To my mind ...

To my way of thinking ...

I am convinced that ...

I am inclined to believe that ...

Don't get me wrong but shouldn't we ... ?

Judging by ... they must be ...

... is a separate issue.

Moving on to ...

Taking everything into account ...

I couldn't agree more.

I agree up to a point.

I think I see what you mean, but ...

I'm in two minds about it. / I'm ambivalent about ...

I don't see eye to eye with you here ...

That's true in a way, I suppose, but ...

I don't feel convinced ...

That's one way of looking at it. On the other hand ...

It brings us to the question / idea / problem of whether ...

Perhaps we should put ... first? What do you think?

A strong point in favour of ... is that ...

What do you think should go next?

Are you happy with this order then?

Would you go along with that?

Adding to what your partner has said…

Just following from what X was saying, I also feel ...

While generally agreeing with X, I must say that ...

Adding to what X has just said, I think ...

I can sympathise with what X said but ...

One thing X didn't mention is ...

Surprising, as it may seem, I don't support X's view on ...
Perhaps it should be also emphasised that ... / it should be pointed out that ...

How to Write a CPE Report

How to Write a CPE Review

How to Write a CPE Letter

How to Write a CPE Article

How to Write a CPE Essay

CPE Writing: Sample Responses

For a range of sample responses to CPE writing tasks, click here.

Review Writing: Key Vocabulary

Register: Informal/neutral Use: all your colourful vocabulary: Phrasal verbs/idioms/impressive collocations.	Forms and conventions: Title: for films/books/restaurants use the name/title or if think up an imaginative title using an idiom/expression.
Planning, 6 step system: 1.        Read task, underline content points. 2.        Divide content points into paragraphs: Intro, décor, ambiance, service, food, recommendation. 3.        WHAT do you want to say? Add your notes to each paragraph in simple form. 4.        HOW are you going to say that? Brainstorm advanced grammar and vocabulary for each note. 5.        Forms and conventions: Title paragraph titles, fixed introduction. 6.        Write! Remember word limit is: 280-320	Introduction: Personal anecdote to grab attention. Introduce name of book/film, restaurant + location, course, TV show etc. Seldom do I find the time to…, however when I do take time out of my hectic schedule, I like nothing more than… Being a bit of a film buff/book worm/foody, the news that … had opened a new restaurant/released a new film/book had me itching to try/see/read it. So last week I popped down with a friend to check it out. Having never seen/read/tried… before I approached … with a sense of trepidation, not knowing what to expect. Soon however, all my fears were allayed.
Book reviews: Vocab to describe the book in general: a page-turner / a white-knuckle ride / a tearjerker / a laugh a minute / I couldn’t put it down. Vocab to describe specific parts: a slow start / a gentle introduction /gripping climax / nail-biting conclusion / cliff-hanger ending/ a shocking twist in the tail Setting: The book is set in _______(place/time) The action takes place in ______ (place/time) the present day (now) an alternate reality where vampires / wizards walk the earth a sleepy village in the USA the bustling city of New York Plot: The plot centres around / focuses on (the adventures / lives of _________) The plot follows the adventures of _________(character name) Characters: Villain / hero / heroine / anti-hero / main character / protagonist The characters are believable / well-crafted / a bit 2 dimensional.	Film/TV reviews: General: An all-star cast heavily influenced by the films of.. glowing reviews startling originality suspense builds up a polished performance a bold experiment an accomplished actor an unmitigated disaster (bad film) a dazzling display of his/her talents made a lasting impression on me. Brought a tear to my eye Like watching paint dry (boring) I was on the edge of my seat (exciting) A blockbuster (big commercial film eg Superman) … sets off an amazing chain of events Gripping film (exciting) The director/author evoked a magical atmosphere … awakened my interest in… Hold my attention Capture the audience’s imagination. Spectacular set-pieces (main action scenes) … is cast in the role of… … is miscast in the role of… …gives a(n) (un)convincing performance as… The film is let down by a clichéd script.
Restaurant review: Hearty meal Wholesome food Piping-hot Succulent/juicy (meat) Creamy With a kick (spicy) Crunchy/crispy Well-seasoned Packed with flavour A steaming plate of.. Hungry/starving/ravenous/famished Bustling eatery(restaurant) Lively atmosphere Service with a smile A plate piled high with.. Mouth-watering To die for Heavenly To lick your lips in anticipation Roast Pan-fried Grilled Steamed Freshly-baked	Restaurants cont. Make a pig of one’s self To feast/gorge on (eat a lot of) To eat/drink to your heart’s content Devour/gobble up Savour Nibble Bite Lick Aromas wafting from the kitchen Cheap – economical/reasonably-priced Expensive – pricey/costs an arm and a leg €20 a head (per person)
Killer Lines: Were I to sum up … in one word, it would be… … left a lot to be desired (wasn’t good enough) …more than lives up to the hype (is as good as everyone says it is) … is by far and away the best … you’re likely to … this year … really raises the bar (sets a higher standard) … sets the benchmark for other (others will be judges against how good it is) … ticks all the right boxes … holds up well in comparison with … …comes off badly in comparison with …	Grammar check list Have you included? ·         An inversion (not only/no sooner/seldom) ·         An inverted conditional (Were we to…) ·         A participle clause (Being…/Having gone…) ·         A double comparative (The more we… the more) ·         A cleft sentence (What is most crucial is…) ·         Idioms ·         Phrasal verbs

Article Writing

An article

-          is a piece of writing usually intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine or journal

-          is written for a wide audience, so it is essential to attract and retain the readers’ attention

-          may include amusing stories, reported speech and descriptions

-          can be formal or informal, depending on the target audience

-          should be written in an interesting or entertaining manner

-          should give opinions and thoughts, as well as facts

-          is in a less formal style than a report

An article can

-          describe an experience, event, person or place

-          present an opinion or balanced argument

-          compare and contrast

-          provide information

-          offer suggestions

-          offer advice

A realistic article should consist of:

1.        an eye-catching title which attracts the readers’ attention and suggests the theme of the article. (Think about why you read a magazine or newspaper article recently - what made you read it?) Articles can also have subheadings before each paragraph.

2.       an introduction which clearly defines the topic to be covered and keeps the reader’s attention.

3.       the main body of two to four paragraphs in which the topic is further developed in detail.

4.       the conclusion - summarising the topic or a final opinion, recommendation or comment.

REMEMBER

Before you begin writing it is important to consider:

-          where is the article going to appear - in a newspaper or magazine?

-          who are the intended readers - a specific group such as students or teenagers, or adults in general?

-          what is the aim of the article - to advise, suggest, inform, compare and contrast, describe, etc.?

These three points are the deciding factors in the layout of your article, its style, language and level of formality.

Determine the information you are going to use and organize your ideas carefully into paragraphs.

Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence.

The article could be formal, semi-formal or informal, depending on your intended audience.

Use vocabulary and descriptive language appropriate for the article. Linking words and expressions, and a variety of vocabulary will only improve your work and make it more interesting.

DO NOT use over-personal or over-emotional language or simplistic vocabulary.

DO NOT talk about yourself. You are writing for the general public, not a close circle of friends.

Your opinions are only interesting to other people if you can make them amusing, justify them or explain them.

Use of English: Part 2

3 - The Goulburn Valley

Essay Writing Task

Read the two texts below.

Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible and include your own ideas in your answers.

Tackling Traffic Congestion Policy-makers employ a wide range of measures to tackle the problem of traffic congestion. Enforcement schemes such as setting strict speed limits on major roads and the use of congestion charges in city centres are two such examples as are vehicle exclusion zones or parking restrictions in busy pedestrian areas. However, it also makes sense to encourage motorists to become less reliant on their car. This can be achieved by making public transport more efficient and promoting the benefits of car-sharing with work colleagues, thus reducing weekly fuel bills. And the increasing number of cycle lanes on many roads is further evidence of how to win the hearts and minds of motorists in the fight against congestion.

The Joy of Motoring Recent research into the attitudes of motorists shows we are still more than happy to get behind the wheel. Despite rising fuel costs, insurance premiums and frequent traffic jams, 9 out of 10 of us still enjoy driving. Whether it’s visiting friends and relations, taking the family for a day out or even commuting to work, the car remains first choice for many people. Experts argue that unlike public transport, the car leaves us in charge of our own destiny, giving us the freedom to travel when and where we want. The car also gives us the opportunity to express ourselves. The kind of vehicle we drive tells the world something about who we are or what we aspire to be. Cars are not simply a means of transport but also something we wear.

(240-280 words)