useful expressions for FCE exam speaking parts 1,2 and 3

1. Useful phrases for
FCE speaking test

2. hello!
We are
PLUTO
We are here because we
love to give
presentations.
You can find me at:
pluto.cntt@gmail.com

3. 1. Asking for
clarification

4. “
 Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.
 I don’t really understand
 Can you say that again, please? I’m not (quite)
sure what I have to do.
 Can I ask a question?
 Do you want me to…?
 Could you please ask the question in another
way?
 I’m sorry, could you explain the meaning of the
word…?

5. 2. Correcting
yourself

6. “
 What I mean is…
 What I meant was…
 What I’m trying to say is…

7. 3. Expressing
your likes and
dislikes

8. “
 I (really) like/love/enjoy…
 I don’t (really) like…
 I’m not very keen on…
 I much prefer…
 I’d prefer…
 I’d (much) rather…
 The thing I like best is…

9. 4. Compare and
constrast
Part 2

10. “
 They both show/have/etc…
 They’re both quite similar because they both
show/have/etc…
 There are…in both photographs
 Both of them have got… in them.
 The top one looks more … than the bottom one.
 The one on the left is/shows/has… but the one
on the right is…
 This one is not as…as…the other one.
 It’s quite difficult to compare them.
 This picture reminds me of…whereas the other
one…

11. 5. Expressing your
opinions/feelings/reactions

12. “
 I don’t think he’s very happy/ she’s going
to buy anything
 I’m not sure whether people enjoy it/
people believe
 I think it’d be better if they chose…/we
didn’t go…
 I think we should … pay less/choose…
 It makes me angry/worried/smile/want
to…
 I find it really interesting/ awful
 It looks a bit strange/ difficult
 She looks as if she’s enjoying it/ she hasn’t
slept.

13. 6. Agreing or disagreeing
with your partner
Part 3 and Part 4

14. “
 I agree
 That sounds like a good idea
 You’re right!
 That’s true
 I’m not sure about that
 I don’t (really) agree
 Yes, but

15. 7. Involving your partner
Part 3

16. “
 What do you think?
 Do you think we should…?
 Why don’t we…?
 Perhaps we should…
 Let’s decide about…, shall we?
 What shall we do first?

17. 8. Expressing ‘for’ and
‘against’ views

18. “
 The good/ bad thing(s) is/ are…
 One advantage/ disadvantage is…
 On the other hand…

19. 9. Speculating

20. “
 He might be on holiday/ explaining something
 I think this would be good for him/ might not
help in the situation/ could cause problems.
 What would happen if people didn’t do
anything?
 What if there were no opportunity to change?
 Perhaps/ Maybe he’s studying for an exam.

21. 10. Reaching a conclusion
with your partner
Part 3

22. “
 (What) have we decided then?
 So, let’s decide which one…
 I think that’s it, don’t you?

23. ANY
QUESTIONS?
You can find us at:
pluto.cntt@gmail.com

24. thanks!