How to do Speaking part 4 in the Cambridge FCE Exam
In this FCE exam, class we look at part 4 of the speaking test…
So, you’re thinking of taking the First Certificate exam? Welcome to this series of posts about the Cambridge B2 First exam, sometimes known as the FCE exam. The whole exam is divided into four different ‘papers’ – Reading & Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. This page offers a guide to the fourth part of the Speaking exam in the Cambridge B2 First Exam, what it tests, how to approach it and how to revise for it. Don’t be afraid, Speaking part 4 – let’s go!
What speaking part 4 involves
Part 4 of the Speaking Exam is another collaborative task – this time a three-way conversation between the two students and led by the examiner. The questions in this task are more detailed, opinion-based questions than the ones you have to answer in Part One. The questions will be on the same topic, or at least a related topic, to the one you dealt with in Part 3. You should listen and interact with your partner, agree and disagree with them as necessary, and provides reasons to support your own opinions.
Time
About 5 minutes in total.
What's being tested
Your ability to hold a conversation and give explanations for your opinions. Your ability to react and respond appropriately to what your partner says to you.
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How to do Speaking part 4
Listen to the examiner carefully
There are no written materials for you to look at in this exercise, so you need to listen carefully to the question the examiner asks you. If at any point you don’t understand something or you would like the examiner to repeat something, you can ask the examiner (politely!) to repeat the question. Unfortunately, you can’t ask the examiner what anything means.
Listen to what your partner says
It’s important that you pay attention to what your partner says and to react accordingly if you agree or disagree with what they say.
You don’t need to give your true opinions
Although it would be better to tell the truth and give your personal honest opinions about the topics, it isn’t necessary. What is more important is that you actually have something to say about the topics. It is entirely possible that the examiner will ask you a question about a subject that holds no interest to you at all, but you nonetheless need to say something.
Test Yourself
It is important for all children and young adults to know how to cook a few dishes. Do you agree? (Why? / Why not?)
Movies are never better than the original book. What do you think? (Why? / Why not?)
When you visit a new city or a new country, do you try to visit as many museums and monuments as possible? (Why? / Why not?)
Exercise classes are the best way for people to meet new people and make friends. Do you agree? (Why? / Why not?)
Do you think tourists should always try to be respectful of other peoples and cultures? (Why? / Why not?)
Thank you for reading our post. For more information about the Cambridge B2 First Certificate Exam (FCE) you can check out the official site here.
You’ll find more English grammar tips elsewhere on our site and if you’d like information on our English courses in Dublin, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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