CURSO CAMBRIDGE EXAM PREP - B2 FIRST CERTIFICATE The Whale Room Circular Learning

1. PEOPLE WATCHING
B2
PRACTICE 2 - PERSONALITY, RELATIONSHIPS & LIFESTYLE

2. In-class practice:
People watching
Reading & Use of English Part 2
Speaking + All parts & tips
Virtual Campus:
OVERVIEW
Writing part 2

3. SPEAKING PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Personal information
- Several topics Simple introduction questions.
- Present, past or future tenses questions
- 3 minutes Ice-breaker
THE KEY:
- Give a good
fi
rst impression.
- Focus on good pronunciation, and giving a complete
and spontaneous answer.
- No need to give long answers
- AVOID HESITATING & REPEATING YOURSELF
SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
KNOW
HOW

4. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
What are your pet peeves?
I'm sick of ...
I'm fed up with ...
I can't stand ....
... drive(s) me mad
... freak(s) me out
... get(s) up my nose
... get(s) on my nerves

5. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
How do you approach con icts with family and friends?
snap out of (anger)
resist the temptation
spit it out
take revenge
bite your tongue
give somebody some slack
compromise on
back down
give somebody some slack
compromise on
back down
give in
give up
bury the hatchet
let it go
make up
come to terms

6. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
How do you cope with stress or anger in tough situations?
take a breath
count to ten
take it easy
have a breather
switch off
unwind
take your mind off
(something)
let your hair down
lose control
lose your temper
be about to explode
be on the edge
be in bits
steam you up
rattle your cage

7. SPEAKING PART 2 - LONG TURN
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- 1 minute without interruption
- 2 PICTURES that you have to compare
- ANSWER the given task
- Give your own opinion
- 30 seconds comment after your partner’s long turn
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Speak for as long as possible, the examiner will stop you
- IMPORTANT: Answer the question!
- Listen to your partner but do not interrupt
- AVOID HESITATING AND REPEATING YOURSELF
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
KNOW
HOW
STRUCTURE
Common theme
Comparison
Speculation
Answer the question

8. How might this people be feeling?
What could they have done differently in order to avoid this situation?
3. Speculation
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
It seems/appears to me that ...
They might /may / could ...
I might be wrong, but I think ...
I can't be certain, but I guess..
Both pictures present/show …
These two pictures share the fact that...
1. Identify the common theme
In picture A, as well as in B, ….
In contrast to picture A, picture B presents...
In picture A one can spot ..., whereas in picture B ...
Unlike picture A, picture B ...
2. Compare & Contrast: similarities & differences
As for (+ question)
In relation to the question... Regarding the question...
4. Answer the question
STUDENT
A

9. What daily situations do you nd stressful?
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
STUDENT
B
That's a great question
I don't really acknowledge such situations in my daily life, but...
Let me think for a while
It's so hard to name it
I can't remember anything particular, but in principle..
Certainly, there must have been plenty of such situations
Gaining time to think

10. What might these people be angry in these situations?
How might they be feeling?
3. Speculation
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
It seems/appears to me that ...
They might /may / could ...
I might be wrong, but I think ...
I can't be certain, but I guess..
Both pictures present/show …
These two pictures share the fact that...
1. Identify the common theme
In picture A, as well as in B, ….
In contrast to picture A, picture B presents...
In picture A one can spot ..., whereas in picture B ...
Unlike picture A, picture B ...
2. Compare & Contrast: similarities & differences
As for (+ question)
In relation to the question... Regarding the question...
4. Answer the question
STUDENT
A

11. How can people cope with negative emotions?
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
STUDENT
B
One thing which works for most of us is ...
Some may like to ... whereas others prefer to ...
Some people will resort to ...
Enumerating ideas

12. SPEAKING PART 3 - INTERACTION
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Interaction between candidates
- You will be given a discussion question and 5 written prompts
- 2 - 3 minutes conversation
- Discuss, make and respond to suggestions
- Negotiation between candidates
- The interlocutor will ask you to summarise at some point.
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Focus on giving your opinion
- Support your opinions with reasons
- Respond to your partner's opinions and suggestions
- Easier if you purposely disagree with your partner.
- You don’t need to come to an agreement.
- PREPARE PART 3 & 4 together!
SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+1min to summarise
KNOW
HOW

13. STRESS TRIGGERS SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+1min to summarise
What might trigger stress
in these people?
Adults
Teenagers
Children
University students Elderly people
I guess we can agree on that?
How about you?
Isn't it (Question tag) ...
but I'd like to hear your opinion
... wouldn't you agree?
Asking for opinion:

14. SPEAKING PART 4 - DISCUSSION
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- General conversation based on the topic in part 3
- Both of you will have to give your opinions.
- IT’S THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE
CAPABLE OF DISCUSSING ISSUES IN DEPTH
THE KEY:
- Organise your speech
- Focus on developing the conversation
- Listen to the questions carefully and answer them according to your
opinion BUT ALWAYS: Support your opinions with reasons
SPEAKING PART 4
4 min conversation
KNOW
HOW

15. Has life become more stressful due to the rapid growth of technology?
SPEAKING PART 4
4 min conversation
Fist and foremost ...
Moreover...
Furthermore...
In addition...
What is more ...
For instance
..., say, ...
To set an example
To illustrate the point
If we take a look at ...
In contrast
Contrastively
On the other hand
Although
Even though
Surprisingly*
Addition Example Contrast
Connecting ideas

16. What might be the long-term consequences of prolonged stress?
SPEAKING PART 4
4 min conversation
Fist and foremost ...
Moreover...
Furthermore...
In addition...
What is more ...
For instance
..., say, ...
To set an example
To illustrate the point
If we take a look at ...
In contrast
Contrastively
On the other hand
Although
Even though
Surprisingly*
Addition Example Contrast
Connecting ideas

17. Do women have better stress-management skills than men?
SPEAKING PART 4
4 min conversation
Fist and foremost ...
Moreover...
Furthermore...
In addition...
What is more ...
For instance
..., say, ...
To set an example
To illustrate the point
If we take a look at ...
In contrast
Contrastively
On the other hand
Although
Even though
Surprisingly*
Addition Example Contrast
Connecting ideas

18. Reading & Use of English: Part 2 - Open Close
READING PART 2
10 minutes
Vocabulary | Grammar | Phrasal verbs | Prepositions
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- A text with 8 gaps
- Fill the gap using ONE word
THE KEY:
- Skim the text - general meaning
- Think of a single word that makes sense
- There may be more than one possible answer
- Make sure the spelling is correct
- Read the full text again
KNOW
HOW
1p
Same
C1

19. Reading & Use of English: Part 2 - Open Close READING PART 2
10 minutes
Stress (1) ..... often called a 21st century illness but it has always been with us if perhaps with different names. These days we
regard stress (2) ..... a necessary evil of modern living. Yet stress is not negative and without (3) ..... we would not enjoy some of
the highpoints in life (4) ..... as the anticipation before a date or the tension leading up to an important match. All these situations
produce stress but (5) ..... you can control it and not the other way around, you will feel stimulated, not worn out. However, unlike
these situations, (6) ..... are generally positive and easier to deal with, sitting in a train that is running late, (7) ..... stuck in a traf
fi
c
jam or working to a tight deadline are much harder to manage and control and can be a signi
fi
cant cause of stress. Stress is now
recognised as a medical problem and as a signi
fi
cant factor causing coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and a high
cholesterol count. Patients are often unwilling to admit to stress problems since they feel they are a form of social failure and it is
important that symptoms (8) ..... identi
fi
ed in order to avoid unnecessary suffering.

20. Writing: Part 2 - YOUR CHOICE
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Choose from 3 questions
Types of texts:
An article, an informal letter/email, a report, a review.
Skills: Describing, explaining, reporting, giving information,
suggesting, recommending, persuading.
THE KEY:
Read the rubric and the prompts carefully
Read the three questions carefully
Choose the one that suits you best (Language demands and interests)
Avoid the questions if you are unsure of what is required!
KNOW
HOW
20p 140-190
words
WRITING PART 2
40 min
1h 20 min part 1& 2
Same
C1