This document outlines the structure and tasks for Part 1-4 of the First Certificate in English Speaking exam. In Part 1, examiners will ask candidates brief questions about themselves. In Part 2, candidates will describe and compare two photos, speculating about their content. They will then answer a question about their partner's response. Part 3 involves discussing travel problems shown in pictures, evaluating their seriousness and solutions. Part 4 extends the discussion with additional examiner questions.

1. FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH
SPEAKING PART
Mª Ascensión Villalba Varona
Lda. Filología Inglesa –
Drd. en Nuevas Tecnologías Web 2.0

2. PART 1
( 3 minutes)
The examiner will ask you both to talk briefly about yourselves by
answering questions such as:
• First of all, we’d like to know something about you.
• Where are you from?
• What do you like about living in your town?
• What is there for young people to do in your area?

3. PART 2
(2 or 3 minutes)
You will each be asked to talk for a minute without interruption.
You will each have two different photographs to talk about. You must
compare, contrast and speculate.
You will also have to answer a question after your partner has spoken.
1 MINUTE
COMPARE
CONTRAST
SPECULATE
QUESTION

4. PART 2: FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE
Compare and Contrast
there's no difference between ... / they're much the same ...
it's a bit like ... / as against ... / However. …..
Nevertheless... / Although... / Notwithstanding...
On the one hand / On the other hand,... / for all that …
in contrast to ... / in spite of this / in spite of the fact that
all the same … / having said that ... / At the same time …
Speculating
I’d say he’s about ready to quite his job.
It might need some oil.
He could be in the garden.
It looks like a miniature motor.
Perhaps he needs some time off work.
Maybe they want to come and visit this summer.
It’s difficult to say, but I’d guess that it’s used for cleaning
house.
I’m not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the
mountains.
Linking expressions
In addition, / In fact, / In other words,
For instance, / That is to say, / Moreover
For example, / Similarly / Besides,
Nevertheless / What’s more / Because of this
Even so, / On the other hand
Giving opinions
Personally, I would say that…
I’m not really very interested in …
It’s very hard to say, but …
If I had to choose …, I would .....

5. Describing each of the pictures
1. You might start by giving a brief description of each of the pictures.
2. You do not have to describe them in detail.
If you are not sure what the picture is, use your imagination and say what you think it is. It doesn't matter if you are
wrong.
3. There are different ways in which you can refer to the pictures.
Describing:
The first/second picture/photo shows ...
This picture must have been taken outdoors/indoors/ in a park / in a bedroom
Comparing and contrasting:
Use most of the comparing and contrasting functional language.
However. Nevertheless... On the one hand / On the other hand,... Although...
Speculating:
I’d say he’s about ready to quite his job.
It might need some oil.
He could be in the garden.
Use other speculating functional language.
Giving your opinion:
In my opinion, ... For me, ... I think that ... I prefer A to B. / I like A more than B. / I like A, but I dislike B. / A is more ...
than B

6. PART 3
(3 or 4 minutes)
You will be asked to discuss something together woithout interruption by the
examiner.
You will have a page of pictures to help you.
Travel Problems (discuss and evaluate)
Have a look at the picture which shows different problems people may have when
they travel.
How serious are these problems for the people involved?
What can people do to avoid these problems?

7. 1.- Starting a discussion
Why don’t we start by … ?
Shall we … first?
Let’s begin with … (shall we?)
We could start by talking about …
2.- Introducing the topic
First of all, I would like to say that
…
I would like to begin by …
Many people think that …
Why do some people believe … ?
3.- Involving the other person
What do you think (about) …?
Do you agree with that?
What would you say?
4.- Interrupting/Showing you
want a turn
Can I just say … ?
Sorry to interrupt, but …
Yes, and as well as that
5.- Adding an opinion
Apart from that …
And there’s another thing..
Not only that …
Actually …
So far …
6.- Advantages
The main advantage is that
Another advantage is that
Disadvantages
Another disadvantage is …
Last but not least, …
7.- Bringing the discussion to an
end
So let’s decide which …
Shall we make a decision?
Anyway, we have to decide …
8.- Giving opinions
For me, one of the most important….. is ……
I just think that what matters is …….
The most important factor for me is ….
Personally, I would say that…
I’m not really very interested in …
It’s very hard to say, but …
If I had to choose …, I would .....
PART 3: FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE

8. PART 4
(3 or 4 minutes)
The examiner encourages you to develop the discussion in Part 3 by
asking questions such as:
•Do you like ‘adventure’ holidays?
•Has anything like this ever happened to you? How did you react?
•How dangerous is it to go on safari holidays?