This document contains sample materials for the speaking section of an English proficiency exam. It includes 8 practice tests with sample questions and role plays. Each test has two parts: Part 1 involves responding to general questions about topics like home, school, activities and plans. Candidates have 2 minutes to answer. Part 2 involves comparing two photos and answering a follow up question. Candidates have 1 minute to discuss their photos and 30 seconds to respond to their partner's photos. The role plays focus on comparing situations and experiences. The tests provide an overview of the exam format and types of questions assessed in the speaking section to help candidates prepare.

1. Exam material
403
Speaking Test Parts 1 & 2
8 tests
1Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

2. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following as
appropriate.
• Where do you live? What do you enjoy about living there?
• What is / was your favourite subject at school? Why?
• What are / were your teachers like?
• Do / Did you get much homework every week? When do / did
you do it?
• What do you enjoy doing after school / work?
• What job do you hope to do in the future?
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge
2

3. Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a short
question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people having
meals. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why they might be having a
meal together.
(Candidate B), which of these meals would you prefer?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show people and animals. I’d
like you to compare the photographs and say why these people might enjoy their
jobs.
(Candidate A), which of these jobs do you think would be more difficult?
3
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

4. Why might these people be having a meal together?
4First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

5. Why might these people enjoy their jobs?
5Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

6. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories,
as appropriate.
• What do you like doing on holiday?
• Are you going to play any sport this weekend?
• What kind of magazines do you read? Why?
• Do you prefer texting your friends or phoning them? Why?
• What was the last film you saw? What did you like or dislike
about it?
• What countries would you like to visit in the future?
6
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

7. Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a short
question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people
playing musical instruments. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say how
the people in these situations might be feeling.
(Candidate B), which musical instrument would you like to start learning to play?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show people on holiday. I’d like
you to compare the photographs and say why you think the people are enjoying
their holidays.
(Candidate A), which of these places would you prefer to visit?
7
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

8. How might the people in these situations be feeling?
8Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

9. Why do you think the people are enjoying their holidays?
9First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

10. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories,
as appropriate.
• What do you most enjoy doing in your free time? Why?
• What did you do last weekend?
• Do you use English at all when you aren’t at school? Why? Why
not?
• Do you think English will be useful for you in the future? Why?
Why not?
• What do you think are the best ways for people to practise their
English?
• Which countries would you most like to visit and why?
10
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

11. Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a short
question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people
swimming in different places. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say what
the people might like about swimming in these different places.
(Candidate B), do you like swimming indoors?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show people learning in
different ways. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say what the
advantages are of learning in these different ways.
(Candidate A), which of these ways of learning would you prefer?
11
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

12. What might the people like about swimming in these different places?
12Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

13. What are the advantages of learning in these different ways?
13First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

14. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories,
as appropriate.
• How do you usually spend your evenings during the week?
• Who do you prefer to spend your free time with - family or
friends?
• What did you do last weekend?
• Which new sport would you like to take up one day?
• How good is the place where you live as to leisure facilities for
teenagers are concerned? Why?
14
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

15. Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a short
question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people eating
in different ways. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say what the
advantages are of eating in these different ways.
(Candidate B), where do you prefer to eat?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show different types of
entertainment. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why people enjoy
these different types of entertainment.
(Candidate A), do you like going to the cinema?
15
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

16. What are the advantages of eating in these different ways?
16Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

17. Why do people enjoy these different types of entertainment?
17
First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

18. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories,
as appropriate.
• What do you most enjoy doing in your free time? Why?
• What did you do last weekend?
• Do you use English at all when you aren’t at school? Why? Why
not?
• Do you think English will be useful for you in the future? Why?
Why not?
• What do you think are the best ways for people to practise their
English?
18
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

19. Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a short
question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show students in
different lessons at school. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say how you
think students feel about these types of lessons.
(Candidate B), which of these lessons would you rather take part in?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show students enjoying music.
I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why you think people are having a
good time.
(Candidate A), which of these situations would you prefer to be in?
19
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

20. How do you think students feel about these types of lessons?
20

21. Why do you think these people are having a good time?
21First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

22. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories, as appropriate.
• Where are you from? What do you like about living there?
• What time do you get up / go to bed on a school day?
• What time do you get up / go to bed at the weekend? Why?
• How did you come to school this morning?
• What are you going to do after school today?
• What is your favourite day of the week?
22
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

23. Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a short
question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show teenagers and
animals. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say how you think the
teenagers are feeling.
(Candidate B), which of these situations would you rather be in?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show young people making
things. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why you think they are
doing these things.
(Candidate A), which of these groups of people do you think is doing a more
difficult task?
23
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

24. How do you think the teenagers are feeling?
24First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

25. Why do you think they are doing these things?
25First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

26. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories,
as appropriate.
• Tell me about the house or flat you live in.
• If you could change one thing about the house or flat you live
in, what would it be?
• How convenient is your home in terms of public transport and
other facilities?
• Who do you think you are most like in your family? In what
ways?
• Do you see yourself as doing the same job as anyone else in
your family? Why do the jobs done by others in your family
appeal or not appeal to you?
26
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

27. Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a short
question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people doing
different outdoor activities at the weekend. I’d like you to compare the photographs
and say what the people are enjoying about these activities.
(Candidate B), which of these activities would you like to try?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show people doing different
things in the mountains. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say how you
think the people are feeling in these different situations.
(Candidate A), which time of year would you prefer to visit the mountains?
27
Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

28. What are the people enjoying about these activities?
28Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

29. How do you think the people are feeling in these different situations?
29Source: First for Schools TRAINER Cambridge

30. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Leisure time
• Do you spend most of your free time with friends? What do
you do?
• Do you prefer to be outside or inside when you have free
time? Why?
Likes and dislikes
• What is your favourite part of the day? Why?
• Do you enjoy shopping? What sorts of things do you not
enjoy buying?
Science and technology
• How much do you use the Internet? What do you use it for?
• Do you enjoy playing computer games? Why (not)?
Source: FCE ESOL examinations (2008) Books 1 & 2 30

31. Places to live
Asking questions
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you
to talk about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer
a short question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show different
places where people live.
I’d like you to compare the photographs and say what are the advantages and
disadvantages of living in different places.
(Candidate B), would you like to live near the sea?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your two photographs. They show people asking
questions in different situations.
I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why you think it’s important to
ask questions in these situations.
(Candidate A), would you like to work as a teacher?
Part 2 (a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second
response from the second candidate)
Source: FCE ESOL examinations (2008) Books 1 & 2 31

32. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the different places?
32Source: FCE ESOL examinations (2008) Books 1 & 2

33. Why is it important to ask questions in these situations?
Source: FCE ESOL examinations (2008) Books 1 & 2 33