This document outlines sample speaking tests from the Cambridge English: First (FCE) exam. It includes 4 tests, each with 2 parts. Part 1 involves responding to introductory questions. Part 2 involves comparing and analyzing two photographs and responding to a follow up question. The tests cover topics like hobbies, travel, family, food, and leisure activities. Candidates are expected to speak for 1-2 minutes per response and answer short follow up questions. The goal is to assess English speaking skills at an intermediate level.

1. Practice material
401
Speaking Test Parts 1 & 2
4 tests
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 1

2. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following as
appropriate.
• Do you often cook? (Tell us about something you like cooking)
• Tell us about an evening you have really enjoyed recently.
• Are you happier working indoors or outdoors? (Why?)
• What is your favourite place to study? (Why do you like
studying there?)
• Do you often read newspapers? (Which ones?)
• Do you regularly use the internet to stay in touch with people?
(How?)
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 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 choosing different things. I’d like you to compare the photographs
and say what you think is difficult about choosing these things.
(Candidate B), do you enjoy reading?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show different places
where people go shopping. I’d like you to compare the photographs and
say what you think are the advantages of shopping in these places.
(Candidate A), do you enjoy shopping?
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 3

4. What is difficult about choosing
these things?
4FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008)

5. What are the advantages of shopping in these places?
5FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008)

6. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following as
appropriate.
• How much time do you spend listening to music? (What sorts of
music do you listen to?)
• Do you like to spend your free time alone? (Why? / Why not?)
• Tell us about a holiday you’ve really enjoyed.
• Do you enjoy long train, bus or car journeys? (Why? / Why
not?)
• Do you prefer reading books or magazines? (Why?)
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 6

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 spending time outside in different situations. I’d like you to
compare the photographs and say what you think the people are
enjoying about spending time outside in these situations.
(Candidate B), do you enjoy spending time outside?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show children doing
different activities. I’d like you to compare the photographs and say how
important it is for children to do activities like these.
(Candidate A), do you enjoy cooking?
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 7

8. What are the people enjoying about spending time outside in these situations?
FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008)
8

9. How important is it for children to do activities like these?
FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 9

10. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories, as
appropriate.
• Do you spend a lot of time with your family? (What sorts of things
do you do together?)
• What do you like most about your family home? (Why?)
• Tell us about a long journey you’ve been on.
• Do you like using public transport? (Why? / Why not?)
• Tell us about the first school you went to.
• Does anyone you know have an interesting job? (What does he /
she do?
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 10

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 having a meal together in different places. I’d like you to
compare the photographs and say what you think the people are
enjoying about having a meal in these different places.
(Candidate B), do you enjoy going to restaurants?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show different places
where people like to go at weekends. I’d like you to compare the
photographs and say why you think the people enjoy going to places
like these at the weekend.
(Candidate A), do you like going to art galleries?
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 11

12. What are the people enjoying about having a meal in these different places?
FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 12

13. Why do you think the people enjoy going to places like these at the weekend?
FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008)
13

14. Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of 3)
Select one or more questions from any of the following categories, as
appropriate.
• Do you like to spend a lot of time outdoors? (What sorts of things
do you do?)
• What’s your favourite place to eat a meal? (Why do you like eating
there?)
• Do you have the same interests as other people in your family?
(What are they?)
• Could you describe the area where you grew up?
• Do you watch a lot of sport? (What sports do you watch?)
• Do you often watch films? (Why? / Why not?)
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 14

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 waiting in different situations. I’d like you to compare the
photographs and say how you think the people are feeling about
waiting in these different situations.
(Candidate B), how do you feel about waiting?
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show people doing
different things in their free time. I’d like you to compare the photographs
and say what the people are enjoying about doing these things in their
free time.
(Candidate A), do you enjoy cycling?
Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 15

16. How are the people feeling about waiting in these different situations?
FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 16

17. What are the people enjoying about doing these things in their free time?
FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008)
17

18. Source: FIRST Book 5. Cambridge ESOL (2008) 18