This document provides tips for preparing for the 3rd level oral exam. It outlines 3 parts to the exam: 1) Finding similarities and differences between two pictures by asking questions; 2) Summarizing a text and giving your opinion on the topic; 3) Discussing personal experiences by asking and answering questions on selected subjects. For each part, it lists example questions and responses. It also provides guidance on how to structure responses, such as starting with an objective summary of the text before giving an opinion. Participants are advised to avoid direct statements and instead use language that explains the perspective of the author or invites the other person's viewpoint.

1. TIPS TO PREPARE THE 3rd LEVEL ORAL TEST
PART 1- Finding SIMILARITIES and DIFFERENCES between two pictures (INTERACTION)
REMEMBER: you mustn’t describe your picture. Instead, you must ask questions in turns. Ask
your partner for details about his/her picture to find similarities and differences between them.
Possible QUESTIONS Possible ANSWERS
Where was your photo taken? It’s hard/difficult to tell. It could be ….
When was your photo taken? I think it could have been taken in summer because…
Are there any people/animals in the picture?
How many people are there?
Yes, there are / No, there aren’t.
There’s ONE PERSON / There are TWO PEOPLE
What are they doing in that picture? They + present progressive
How old are they? They seem to be in their twenties / middle-aged…
What do they look like? They are quite young / tall / slim….
How are they feeling? They look happy / absent-minded /entertained…
What are they wearing? They are wearing summer clothes / a shirt and shorts…
What can you see in the background? It’s hard to see / There is a … / There are some…
WHAT ABOUT YOUR PICTURE?
PART 2- SAY what your text is about and GIVE YOUR OPINION and the reasons why you agree or
disagree with your partner; propose solutions to the topic you are discussing. (INDIVIDUALLY &
INTERACTION)
REMEMBER:
When you SUMMARIZE the text…
DON’T say Instead, TRY to say
My text TALKS about…
My text SAYS that…
The text EXPLAINS US…
The MAN WRITES…
My text IS ABOUT….
The text EXPLAINS THAT…
The person who wrote this text thinks /says…
The author of this text explains that…
When you GIVE YOUR OPINION…
DON’T say Instead, TRY to say
ARE you agree with that opinion? DO you agree WITH that opinion?
What do you think?
In my opinion / To my mind / As I see it…
PART 3- Start always with the FIRST QUESTION (a personal experience). Then, select two or three
subjects and ASK your partner questions about them. Also ANSWER his/her questions. (INTERACTION)
When you EXPLAIN a personal experience (first question)…
DON’T Instead, TRY to say
DON’T GIVE YOUR OPINION!!! In my experience…
It once happened to me that…
I know someone who…