The document summarizes the format and content of the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Speaking exam. The exam consists of 4 parts totaling 15 minutes: Part 1 is a short conversation with an examiner; Part 2 involves describing pictures individually and responding briefly; Part 3 is a two-way discussion requiring collaboration on a task; Part 4 involves justifying opinions on topics related to Part 3. The document provides examples of tasks, timing, assessment criteria, and useful language expressions for Parts 2-4 of the Speaking exam.

1. 1
CAE
by Matifmarin
Summary for CAE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015
 NextNext
Paper 4: Speaking
4 Parts in total.
15 minutes.
2 Examiners
Only one speaks.
2 or 3 candidates.

2. 2
CAE
by Matifmarin
Summary for CAE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015
 NextNext
Paper 4: Speaking
Part 1: Conversation between Interlocutor and each candidate (3 minutes)
Candidates take it in turns to answer spoken questions that focus on
interactional and social language.
Part 2: Individual ‘long turn’ (1 minute) and response from second
candidate (30 seconds). Total time 4 minutes.
Each candidate is given three pictures and asked to talk about them,
using the prompt questions on the page. The second candidate gives
a brief response. Tasks focus on discourse organisation, comparing,
describing, expressing opinions and speculating.
Part 3: Two-way discussion between candidates (2 minutes) and
decision-making task (1 minute) Total time 4 minutes.
Candidates collaborate on a task, using written prompts, with the
focus on sustaining the interaction by: sharing ideas, expressing
and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting,
speculating, evaluating and negotiating to reach a decision.
Part 4: Discussion related to the task in Part 3 (5 minutes)
Candidates answer spoken questions that focus on: expressing
and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing.
ASSESSMENT
Candidates are assessed on their performance throughout (from 0 to 5 marks.)

3. Dos and DON’Ts: Speaking
• DO
• Show you can communicate
effectively.
• Give full and extended
responses.
• Raise the level of your
language above the mundane.
• Listen carefully to what the
examiner has asked you to do.
• Speculate on the content of the
visual material, even if you are
unsure about what they are
illustrating.
• Involve your partner in the
conversation and create
opportunities for them to speak.
• Don’t merely describe the
visuals.
• DON’T
• Don’t panic if you cannot
remember, or do not know, a
particular word. Just keep going
and paraphrase instead.
• Don’t let your partner always
‘take the lead’. You also must
initiate at times.
• Don’t waste your
opportunities to show the
examiners what you can do

4. PART 1
Summary for CAE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015

11. PART 2
Summary for CAE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015

12. Task type and format: An individual “long
turn” for each candidate with a brief
response from the second candidate. In
turn, the candidates are given three pictures
to talk about.
Focus: Organising a larger unit of
discourse; comparing, describing,
expressing opinions, speculating.
Timing: A 1-minute “long turn” for each
candidate, plus a 30-second response from
the second candidate.

13. Example:

14. Useful expressions
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... (represent)
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...

15. 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.
It 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 ...

16. PART 3
Summary for CAE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015

17. Task type and format: A two-way
conversation between the candidates.
The candidates are given spoken
instructions with written and visual stimuli,
which are used in a decision-making task.
Focus: Sustaining an interaction;
exchanging ideas, expressing and
justifying opinions, agreeing and/or
disagreeing, suggesting, speculating,
evaluating, etc.
Timing: 4 minutes

18. Example:

22. PART 4
Summary for CAE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015

23. Task type and format: A
discussion on topics related to the
collaborative task (spoken
questions).
Focus: Expressing and justifying
opinions, agreeing and/or
disagreeing.
Timing: 4 minutes

24. Example:
.. Some people say that computers are helping to create a
generation of people without social skills. What’s your opinion?
.. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping by
computer?
.. How far do you agree that the computer is the greatest
invention of modern times?
.. A lot of personal information about all of us is now kept on
computers.
Do you find this worrying? …… (Why? / Why not?)
.. In future, what role do you think there will be for people who are
not interested in technology? …... (Why?)

25. Useful expressions
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 emphasized that ... / it should be
pointed out that ...