This document provides an overview and tips for the speaking and reading/use of English sections of the Cambridge English: First exam. It outlines the structure and expectations for each part of the speaking exam, including part 1 (interview), part 2 (long turn), part 3 (interaction), and part 4 (discussion). It emphasizes the importance of organization, giving complete answers, avoiding hesitation, and supporting opinions. For the reading/use of English section, it describes part 5 (multiple choice comprehension questions on a long text) and part 6 (filling gaps in a text), highlighting strategies like skimming, identifying relevant information, and ensuring coherence.

1. FAIR PLAY
PRACTICE 5 - SPORTS, HEALTH AND NUTRITION
B2

2. FAIR PLAY
Virtual campus:
In-class practice:
Reading & Use of English Part 5 & 6
Speaking + All parts & tips
Writing Part 2 - An informal letter
OVERVIEW

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
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total

4. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Do you prefer individual sports or team
Given a choice, I always ...
I opt for ...
I'd much rather do ...
I prefer ... to ...
My choice is always ...

5. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Would you like to be a professional athlete?
Frankly speaking ...
To tell you the truth ...
As simple as it sounds
Strange as it may seem ...

6. SPEAKING PART 1
2/3 min in total
Have you ever taken part in any type of sports
It was ...
I started preparing ...
The day before ...
The day of the
competition ...
I was feeling ...
I couldn't even ...
I expected ...
Finally ...
Eventually...
The winner was ...
get the
fi
rst base
win through
score a hit

7. SPEAKING PART 2 - LONG TURN
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- 1 minute without interruption
- 2 PICTURES that you have to compare
- ANSWER the questions
- 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 questions!
- Listen to your partner but do not interrupt
- AVOID HESITATING AND REPEATING YOURSELF
KNOW
HOW
STRUCTURE
Common theme
Comparison
Speculation
Answer the question
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment

8. Why might these people have chosen these places to do sports?
3. Speculation
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
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
1 MIN

9. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor exercise?
STUDENT
B
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
30 SEC
It really depends on ...
It's not so black and white
I can't choose between ..., because
Both options are equally attractive to me.
Either of these options is ..
Neither of these options is ...
Mixed opinion

10. Why might these people chosen these activities?
How do they bene t from these sports?
3. Speculation
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
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
1 MIN

11. Have you ever considered taking up an extreme sport?
STUDENT
B
SPEAKING PART 2
1 min long turn
+ 30 sec comment
Speculation about
future possibility
I'd love to ...
One day I'll ... for sure!
Never say never!
I might ...
I may ...
I doubt I'll ever ...
I can't see myself doing it.
30 SEC

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!
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+ 1 min to summarize

13. Reasons for taking up sports
SPEAKING PART 3
2 min conversation
+ 1 min to summarize
Why might people decide
to take up a sport?
Competition
Relaxation
Social activity
Health Physical appearance
I'm not quite convinced ...
I'm not quite certain ...
I wouldn't say ...
I have doubts whether ...
It can't really be the case that ...
Expressing doubt:

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
KNOW
HOW
SPEAKING PART 4
4 min conversation

15. Do football players deserve such high salaries?
SPEAKING PART 4
4 min conversation
I guess we all agree that ...
It is widely known...
Everybody recognizes ...
Nobody doubts ...
No one would argue / question ...
Making a general
assumption

16. What should happen to people who use doping in sports
SPEAKING PART 4
Making a general
assumption
I guess we all agree that ...
It is widely known...
Everybody recognizes ...
Nobody doubts ...
No one would argue / question ...
4 min conversation

17. Is it safe to take up sports at elderly age?
SPEAKING PART 4
Making a general
assumption
I guess we all agree that ...
It is widely known...
Everybody recognizes ...
Nobody doubts ...
No one would argue / question ...
4 min conversation

18. What impact might sport have on children?
SPEAKING PART 4
Making a general
assumption
I guess we all agree that ...
It is widely known...
Everybody recognizes ...
Nobody doubts ...
No one would argue / question ...
4 min conversation

19. Reading & Use of English: Part 5 - Multiple choice
Comprehension | Long text
READING & UOE
1h 15 min / 7 parts
What to expect:
A long text
6 multiple choice questions
Options A, B, C, D
KEY:
Skim the text - general meaning
2. Read each question carefully
3. Underline the part of the text which
answers the question.
4. Avoid word-spotting! This exercise is
tricky!
5. Draw conclusions from paragraphs: don't make decisions
based on one sentence!
5. Find reasons for your choices!

20. Reading & Use of English: Part 6 - Gapped text
READING & UOE
1h 15 min / 7 parts
What to expect:
One long gapped text
•6 sentences removed
•Usually: non
fi
ction text
KEY:
Read the whole text to understand the narrative
2. Pay attention to where the spaces are located: Pay
attention to what is before and after the gap.
3. Read the sentences and choose
4. Decide why the other sentences don’t
fi
t
5. Read the text again and make sure it makes sense.
6. There is ONE extra sentence.
Coherence | Global meaning