CAE/FCE Speaking

Exam
Strategies and Techniques

There are 4 parts ( and 2 candidates Candidate A & Candidate B)

Part
Part
Part
Part

1:
2:
3:
4:

THE INTERVIEW
INDIVIDUAL LONG AND SHORT TURNS
TWO-WAY COLLABORATIVE TASK
THREE-WAY DISCUSSION

Part 1: THE INTERVIEW

A set of about 5-7 questions
a)

Personal questions
Examples:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Whats your name?

Where do you come from?
What do you like/ dislike about the place you live in?
How old are you?
Whats your job?
Why are you here today?

b)

General interest questions

Detailed answers (15-30 seconds)
A short introduction
Arguments that completely sustain the answer (NEVER SAY ANYTHING WITHOUT
EXPLANING WHY)
Examples:
1. How long have you been studying English?

2.
3.
4.
5.

Have you got any hobbies?

Whats difficult when it comes to choosing a career?
Can we really ignore our past?
What could be done to help students not drop out of school?

Part 2: INDIVIDUAL LONG AND SHORT

TURNS
Lasts 3 minutes

4 stages:
Candidate
Candidate
Candidate
Candidate

Sets of

As long turn (1 minute)

Bs short turn (30 seconds)
Bs long turn (1 minute)
As short turn (30 seconds)

pictures

Long turn 1) compare and contrast sets of pictures

- 2) answer a question

Comparing and contrasting techniques:

The most striking/ obvious similarity is that

The main/ greatest/ most important/ most significant difference
between the photographs is that

100 sure

MUST SPECULATE

Examples:
1. Im not sure, but I think
2. He/She/They etc. seem/s
3. Use modal verbs: may, might, probably etc.

Short turn expressing opinions/ preferences

Time fillers

Examples:
1. Well, let me think
2. Thats an interesting question
3. To be honest, I kind of have to see about it

Expressing preference

Examples:
1. Id much ratherthan
2. I dont like the idea of, so I would prefer to
3. Im not so keen on so I would choose to