This document contains instructions and prompts for several speaking test parts from an FCE practice test. It provides scenarios and questions for test takers to discuss in pairs or groups, with topics ranging from concentration, achievements, volunteer work, difficult situations, work experience, and planning fundraising events. For each discussion, they are given time to review the prompts before speaking about the topics and questions provided.

1. FIRST
Speaking Test
Parts 3 & 4
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson (Adapted)

2. Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two
minutes (3 minutes for groups of three).
Here are some situations in which people need to concentrate
on what they are doing, and a question for you to discuss. First
you have some time to look at the task.
Now, talk to each other about why people would need to
concentrate on what they are doing.
Then decide which activity concentration is most important
for.
Part 3
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

3. Why do people need to
concentrate on what they
are doing in these
situations?
acting
studying for an
exam
flying an
aeroplane
rock climbing
playing video
games
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson

4. Part 4
• Sometimes, people don’t like to concentrate. Why do
you think this is?
• Do you think young people find it easier to
concentrate on things than older people? Why (not)?
• Do you think that learning languages requires a lot of
effort and concentration? Why (not)?
• How important is it for people to have time to relax
and forget the pressure of work or studies?
• What do young people do to relax in (candidate’s
country)?
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• And you?
4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

5. Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about
two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three).
Here are some people who have achieved success in
something, and a question for you to discuss. First you have
some time to look at the task.
Now, talk to each other about how important these
achievements are.
Now you have about a minute to decide which person might
have had to work the hardest.
Part 3
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

6. How important are
these achievements?
graduating
learning to walk
winning a sports
competition
making a
delicious meal
winning an
Oscar
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson

7. Part 4
• Tell us about something you’ve done which you
are proud of.
• Do you think winning is important in sport or is
taking part enough?
• What would you most like to achieve in the
future?
• Would you like to be rich or famous? Why
(not)?
• Which person do you most admire? Why?
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• And you?
4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

8. Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two
minutes (3 minutes for groups of three).
Imagine a group of teenagers want to do some volunteer work. Here
are some jobs they would like to do, which involve contact with
animals, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time
to look at the task.
Now, talk to each other about what skills are needed to do these
jobs.
Now you have about a minute to decide which two jobs would be
most enjoyable for the teenage volunteers.
Part 3
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

9. What skills are
needed to do these
jobs?
fisherman
dog walker
shepherd
zookeeper
veterinarian
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson

10. Part 4
• Tell us about animals you like or dislike.
• Do you think animals should be kept in zoos?
Why (not)?
• How important do you think it is to protect
wildlife?
• Which do you prefer, working outdoors or
working in an office? Why?
• Do you think it is a good idea to do volunteer
work? Why?
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• And you?
4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

11. Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about
two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three).
Here are some difficult situations that young people may
have to deal with, and a question for you to discuss. First
you have some time to look at the task.
Now, talk to each other about how difficult these situations
may be for the young people and who might be able to
help them.
Now you have about a minute to decide in which situation a
friend’s advice would help the most.
Part 3
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

12. How difficult are these
situations for young
people and who might be
able to help?
being broke
cooking for
themselves
moving house
buying clothes
breaking up
with a partner
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson

13. Part 4
• How important is it to have good friends who can
give advice?
• Do you think young people are better able to deal
with problems than older people?
• How much do you think parents can do to help
their children?
• Do you think young people may worry too much
about their appearance?
• Do you think it is possible to enjoy life and not
worry about anything?
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• And you?
4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

14. Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two
minutes (3 minutes for groups of three).
Imagine that a large department store is offering students
the opportunity of doing some work experience there.
Here are different jobs, and a question for you to discuss.
First you have some time to look at the task.
Now, talk to each other about what skills the students might
learn by doing these jobs.
Now you have about a minute to decide which two jobs would
give them the most valuable experience for the future.
Part 3
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

15. What skills might the
students learn by doing
these jobs?
cleaning
shop assistant
shelf-filling
window dressing
customer
information
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson

16. Part 4
• Do you think it is a good idea for teenagers to
do work experience?
• How easy do you think it is for young people to
find a job nowadays?
• Is it better to try different jobs or to stay in the
same job for a long time?
• How enjoyable is it to shop in large department
stores?
• Some people say TV ads make us buy things
we don’t need. What do you think?
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• And you?
4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

17. Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two
minutes (3 minutes for groups of three).
Imagine that a group of students want to organise an event to
raise money for their college library. Here are different events,
and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at
the task.
Now, talk to each other about how easy or difficult it might be for
the students to organise these events.
Now you have a minute to decide which one is likely to attract the
largest number of people.
Part 3
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

18. How easy or difficult
might it be for the
students to organise
these events?
a rock concert
a party at a disco
a fashion show
a football match
a barbecue
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson

19. Part 4
• Do you think teenagers are responsible enough to
organise events like these?
• Many young people do volunteer work in their
free time. Do you think it is a good idea?
• How important do you think it is to raise money
for good causes?
• When organising a big event, how important is it
to plan ahead?
• How can parents encourage their children to be
generous and help other people?
Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson
• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• And you?
4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

20. Source: FCE Practice Tests Plus 2. Pearson