Speaking Vocabulary

SPEAKING VOCABULARY
Speaking Practice Test: Part 1 questions

Work
Do you work or study?
What do you do for living?
Did you have any difficulty getting your present job?
Do you enjoy your work?
Which part of your job is exciting?
What are the main tasks in your job?
Do you plan to continue/stay in this job for a long time?
Would you like to change this job?
Which is more important your job or the people you work with?
Studies
Do you work or are you a student?
What subject are you studying?
Is it a difficult subject?
Why did you choose this subject?
What do you like most about this subject?
Whats the most interesting aspect of your subject?
What do you plan to do when you finish studying?
School
At what age do most people leave school in your country?
Do you think its a good age to leave school?
What was your favourite subject at school? Why?
What do you think are the most important subjects at school?
Hometown/city
What city or town are you from?
Is it a big city or a small town?
Is it a rural or urban area?
Tell me about your home town/city.
Describe your neighbourhood.
Is it a good place for people with young children?
Can you describe the people of your home town/city?
What do most people do for work in your home town/city?
What is your home town/city it famous for?
Do you think it is a good/interesting place to live in?
Home
What sort of home do you live in?
Do you live in a house or a flat?
How long have you lived in your home?
What do you like or dislike about your home?
What is your favorite room? Why?
Is there anything youd like to improve about your home?
Do you do household chores? What are they?
What type of chores did you do as a child?
Family
Do you have a small or large family?
Do you spend a lot of time with your family?
What do you enjoy doing most with your family?
When did you last celebrate a special event with your family?
How do families help each other in your country?
Do you think attitudes to families are changing?
Food
Who do you eat your main meals with?
When do you have your main meal of the day?
Do you prefer to eat at home or in restaurants?
Do you think home-cooked meals are healthier?
On what occasions in your country do people eat special meals?
What dishes are popular in your country?
Is it important for families to eat together where you live?
Do you think it is good for people to eat together as a group?
Describe a traditional dish from your country.
Friends
Do you have a small or large circle of friends?
How often do you see your friends?
What things do you like doing together?
How important is it to have close friends?
What makes a good friend?
Free Time
How much free time do you have?
How do you spend your free time?
What kinds of things do you like doing in your free time?
Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people?
Do you think people have enough free time these days?
What do you usually do on weekends?
What did you do last weekend?
Do you have plans for the next weekend?
Holidays
Are there many public or national holidays in your country?
Do you think there are enough public holidays?
Do you like going away on holidays?
Where did you go on your last holiday?
Describe a place you like to go to during your holidays.
What is the most interesting place youd like to visit on your holidays?
Transport
Which form of transport do you usually use?
How do you prefer to travel on long journeys?
Do people use public transport where you live?
What are the benefits of public transport?
Are there any problems with public transport?
Hobbies / Photography
What kind of hobbies are common in your country?
Do people collect things as a hobby?
Did you ever collect anything when you were a child?
Is photography a common hobby in your country?
Do you like taking photographs?
What kind of photographs do you like?- Why?
When you go on holiday, do you prefer to buy postcards as souvenirs or to take your
own photographs?
Sports
Do you like doing sports?
Do you prefer to play or watch sport?
Are there many sports clubs where you live?
Did you play any sports when you were a child?
Is there any sport you would like to learn?
Which sports are the most popular in your country?
What are the benefits of doing sports or physical exercise?
What is the impact of exercising on our health?
Swimming
Is swimming popular in your country?
Should young people, especially children, learn to swim?
Can you swim?
When did you learn swimming?
Do children learn to swim at a young age in your country?
Do you like swimming? Why / why not?
Are there enough places to swim where you live?
What are the benefits of swimming?
Health & Fitness
What do you do to stay healthy?
Is it easy to keep fit where you live?
What do you think is more important, eating healthily or doing exercise?
Do you have a good public health system in your country?
Is there anything youd like to improve about it?
Music / Concerts
What kind of music do you like?
Did you learn to play a musical instrument when you were at school?
Do you like to hear music in restaurants and shops?
Have you ever been to a concert?
When did you last go to a live concert?
Who was the star in this concert?
Did you like him/her? Why?
How often do you go to concerts?
What kind of live performances does your hometown offer?
Do you prefer attending a live concert or listening to recorded music?
Dancing
Do you like dancing?
Have you taken dancing classes in your childhood?
Why do you like dancing?
Do you like to watch people who can dance?
On what occasions do people usually dance in your country?
Art
Do you enjoy going to art exhibitions?
Do you have a favourite artist or painter?
Did you like painting when you were a child?
Were you good at art at school?
Do you think art is an important subject in schools?
Film / Theatre
Do you like watching films?
What kinds of films do you enjoy?
Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
Do people go to the cinema or the theatre in your home town?
How often do you watch films / go the cinema?
When was the last time you went to the cinema or the theatre? What did
you see?
When you were a child what kind of movies did you like to watch?
Would you like to be in a film / play? Why / why not?
Television
Do you watch much TV?
When do you usually watch TV?
Who do you normally watch TV with?
What kind of TV programmes do you like the most?
Do you have a favourite TV programme/series at the moment?
What TV programmes do you remember from your childhood?
Reading
Do you read a lot?
What kinds of things do you like to read?
What is your favourite time for reading?
Is reading popular in your country?
Languages
What languages do you speak?
Do you think its important to learn a foreign language?
When did you start learning a foreign language?
Do you enjoy learning languages?
Do you think young children should learn to speak a foreign language at school?
Are there any languages you would like to learn? What are they? Why?
What activity do you find most useful for learning English?
What do you find most difficult about learning English?
Animals
What do people use animals for in your country?
What is your favorite animal?
Is it common to have pets in your country?
Do you have a pet? Did you have a pet as a child?
What kind of animals make typical pets?
What wild animals are there in your country?
What is the attitude of people to animals in your country?
Names
What is your full name?
What should I call you? How do you prefer to be called?
Do you like your name?
Does your name have a special meaning?
Who chooses a name for a baby in your culture?
How important is name selection in your country?
How do you remember names?
What do you find easier to remember: names or numbers?
Numbers
Does any number have a special meaning in your country?
What are the most important numbers that someone should remember?
Are you good at remembering numbers?
How do you remember numbers?
What do you find easier to remember: names or numbers?
Computers
Do you use a computer at work or at home?
What do you use a computer for?
Do you like using computers?
When did you learn to use a computer?
What is the importance of computers nowadays?
What jobs do computers do better than people?
Weather
What is the climate like in your country?
Are there any problems with the climate in your country?
What is your favourite type of weather?
What kind of weather do you dislike?
Would you prefer to live in a hot or cold country?
What is the best/worst weather for travelling in?
Gifts / Flowers
Do you like giving gifts?
When do people give each other gifts in your country?
What type of gifts do you give to people?
Do you like flowers?
How often do you buy flowers?
For which purpose are flowers used in your country?
Are flowers used in local festivals or national celebrations?
Colours
What are your favourite colours? Why?
Do colours have any special meaning in your country?
What colour would you choose for decorating your house?
Are colours important to you when youre shopping for things?
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 1 - Health

Part 1 - sample questions
What do you do to stay healthy?
Is it easy to keep fit where you live?
What do you think is more important, eating healthily or doing exercise?
Do you have a good public health system in your country?
Is there anything youd like to improve about it?
Part 2 sample task card
Describe something you do to keep healthy.

You should say:
what this activity is
when you do it
and how often you do it
and explain why you think its a good way to look after your health.
Part 3 sample questions
1.
What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?
2.
Do you think people worry more about their health as they get older?
3.
Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that they are
damaging to their health?
4.
How can children be encouraged to adopt healthy eating habits?
5.
Do you think people have become more health conscious in recent years?
6.
Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?
Useful Vocabulary
Healthy activities / habits things that are good for your health
taking regular exercise
playing sport(s)
(going) swimming
(going) cycling
going to the gym
doing yoga / pilates / tai chi
eating fresh fruit and vegetables
eating organic foods
eating regular meals
drinking water
having a balanced diet
Unhealthy habits things that are bad for your health
smoking
binge drinking (excessive amounts of alcohol)
taking drugs
eating too much salt / fat / sugar
being overweight
Health Collocations
a health farm
a health centre
a health club
a health service
a health risk / hazard
a health check
a health problem
a health visitor
a health inspector
health food
health insurance
healthcare
health and safety (rules / regulations / guidelines)
a healthy lifestyle
a healthy diet
a healthy appetite
a healthy economy
a healthy bank balance
a healthy profit
a healthy attitude
a healthy respect
Verb + Noun Collocations
to look after your health
to take care of our health
to maintain your health
to be in good / poor health
to regain your health
Verb + Adjective Collocations
to feel healthy
to look healthy
to be healthy
to keep / stay healthy
Useful Linking Expressions
Adding more detail
In (actual) fact,
Actually,
More to the point,
Indeed,
To be more precise / exact,
Sample Answer
Qu.6 Could governments do more to promote healthier lifestyle options?
Yes, in my opinion the government has a big responsibility to try to persuade people to live more
healthily. I think they could provide more education in schools to teach children how to eat more
healthily and show them the importance of taking physical exercise. In fact, its the parents too that
also need to be re-educated on these issues. Another thing, I think there should be more
government warnings on TV showing people the dangers of obesity and poor diet, for
example. Actually, they do have some that show the health risks of smoking and drinking, which
are quite powerful, but not really about healthy eating. Finally, there could be more public facilities to
help people keep fit, like swimming pools, gyms and sports centres. More to the point they
need to be affordable so that everyone has the opportunity to use them.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 2 - Work
Part 1 - sample questions
Do you work or study?
What do you do for living?
Did you have any difficulty getting your present job?
Do you enjoy your work?
Which part of your job is exciting?
What are the main tasks in your job?
Do you plan to continue/stay in this job for a long time?
Would you like to change this job?
Which is more important your job or the people you work with?

Describe the job you would most like to have.
You should say:
what this job would be
where you would work
which qualifications you would need
and explain why you would like to have this job most.

1.
Which jobs are most respected in your country?
2.
Do you think that some jobs are still more suited to either men or women?
3.
Do you think schools provide enough advice and support about future careers?
4.
What changes have there been in recent years in employment in your country?
5.
Do you agree that salaries should reflect the level of contribution to the community that
the job makes?
6.
Do you think more and more people will work from home in the future?
Useful Vocabulary
Work
to apply for a job / post / promotion
to get / have a part-time/full-time job
to work in [field / place]
to work for [a company]
to specialise in [field]
to be a qualified [job]
to work shifts / unsociable hours
to get / have an interview
to be shortlisted
to be demoted / promoted
to be transferred / to put in for a transfer
to be fired / sacked / dismissed
to be made redundant
to retire / to be retired
to get a pension
the perks of a job (benefits)
to work from home (home-working)
to be self-employed / to work for yourself
to work / do flexi-time / overtime

Sequencing ideas
firstly / first of all,
secondly,
thirdly,
then
another point / reason / example is
lastly / finally, .
overall,
Sample Answer
Qu. What changes have there been in recent years in employment in your country?
I think there have been many changes in the types of jobs that people do nowadays compared to 20
or 30 years ago. First of all there are much fewer jobs related to heavy industry such as mining or
ship-building or even manufacturing. Secondly, there has been a big increase in the number of
jobs in the service and leisure industries like shops, gyms, and hotels. And finally, since the launch
of the internet there has been a big surge in the number of jobs related to IT, such as web
development and design.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 3 - Travel
Which form of transport do you usually use?
How do you prefer to travel on long journeys?
Do people use public transport where you live?
What are the benefits of public transport?
Are there any problems with public transport?

Describe an interesting journey you have been on.
You should say:
where you went
how you travelled there
who you went with
and explain what was so memorable about the journey.

1.
What methods of transport are most popular in your city / country?
2.
What are some of the problems of long-distance travelling?
3.
Has the way people travel changed much in the last few decades?
4.
Do you agree that governments should do more to encourage greener methods of
transport?
5.
What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?
6.
Do you think that transport problems are worse in urban or rural areas?
Useful Vocabulary
Popular methods of transport in cities
by metro
by tram
by bus
by motorbike / scooter / moped
by bike
on foot
to go by bus
to catch the metro
to take the tram
to go on the motorbike
to cycle
to walk
Other methods of transport
by plane
by train
by coach
by boat / ferry
Transport problems
long delays (in airports)
lost luggage
cancellations (of flights / trains)
missed connections
traffic-jams / congestion
roadworks / diversions
breakdowns / accidents
pollution
Solutions to inner-city congestion
road access charges in city centres
bypasses / ringroads
park and ride schemes
free rental of city bikes
more cycle lanes
more frequent buses
cheaper public transport
more pedestrianised streets
more electric trams
more accessible metro system

Giving examples
for example
for instance
such as
like / as
another example / way
Sample Answer
Qu. 5 What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?
There are many ways that congestion could be reduced in big cities. In my city, for example, they
have introduced a bike rental system where members can pick up a bike at one point and drop it off
at another. Its proving to be very popular and as a result more cycle lanes are also being provided.
Another example, which unfortunately doesnt exist in my city, is a park and ride scheme where
you leave your car outside the city in a carpark and then take a free bus into the centre. Another
way to prevent people bringing their cars into the city would be to charge a special fee to access
the centre, like they do in London, though I guess this wouldnt be quite so popular with the
residents.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 4 - Tourism
Are there many public or national holidays in your country?
Do you think there are enough public holidays?
Do you like going away on holidays?
Where did you go on your last holiday?
Describe a place you like to go to during your holidays.
What is the most interesting place youd like to visit on your holidays?

Describe a holiday you would like to go on.
You should say:
what place you would like to go to
how you would like to get there
what you would like to do while you were there
and explain why you would like to go on this holiday.

1.
Which places in your country do visitors enjoy visiting most?
2.
What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday?
3.
Have there been any recent changes in the types of holiday that are popular in your
country?
4.
What kinds of benefits might a significant increase in tourist numbers bring to a
location?
5.
What are some of the negative effects of a dramatic increase in tourism?
6.
What developments affecting international travel might there be in the future?
Useful Vocabulary
Positive aspects of holidays (personal)
chance to unwind
spend quality time with family / friends
get away from work / stressful environment
have a change of routine / scenery
visit new places / experience new things / cultures
broaden your horizons
visit family or friends abroad
Positive aspects of holidays (commercial)
creates new jobs in tourist industry
attracts media attention to the resort
ensures good level of infrastructure
improves services for local residents
provides revenue to protect /maintain local heritage
Negative aspects of holidays (personal)
loss of earnings (if self-employed)
can be stressful (to be out of your comfort zone)
can be difficult to cope in foreign country / unfamiliar place
may encounter travel problems (plane/train delays / traffic jams)
may not have access to health facilities
may lose your luggage
may not be able to speak the local language
Negative aspects of holidays (commercial)
can cause overcrowding
tourists may not respect local customs/traditions
can cause excess of litter / noise
may cause damage to local environment
area becomes too built-up due to increase of hotels/shops etc
may cause increase in prices of local services and goods

Adding more reasons / examples
in addition (to)
furthermore,
as well as
also
not only but also
both and
besides
Sample Answer
Qu.2 What are some of the benefits of going away on holiday?
There are many benefits of going on holiday. Besides giving you a chance to unwind and relax,
it also allows you to spend some quality time with your family, not only in a different environment
but more importantly, away from the routine pressures of work and daily life. In addition to this,
it also gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizons by visiting new places and experiencing
a different way of life.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 5 - The Environment
What is the climate like in your country?
Are there any problems with the climate in your country?
What is your favourite type of weather?
What kind of weather do you dislike?
Would you prefer to live in a hot or cold country?
What is the best/worst weather for travelling in?
Describe an environmental problem. You should say:
what it is
how long it has existed
how it affects peoples lives
and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future.
1.
Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?
2.
What are the main causes of these environmental problems?
3.
Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment?
4.
What measures can individuals take to protect the environment?
5.
Do you think large companies and business orginisations should be more
environmentally friendly? Why? How?
6.
How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?
Useful Vocabulary
Environmental Problems
destruction of the rainforests (deforestation)
melting of the icecaps
extinction of many species (loss of biodiversity)
destruction of the ozone layer
global warming / the greenhouse effect
rising sea levels
pollution of land, sea and air
increase of natural disasters eg, earthquakes, landslides, floods
Causes of Environmental Problems
excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, eg carbon dioxide
chemical and industrial waste
emissions from cars and planes
improper dumping of household waste
overuse of non-renewable fossil fuels
genetic modification
over-consumption
over-urbanisation
Solutions to Environmental Problems
recycling
using renewable sources of energy, eg solar heating, wind-farms
replanting trees
cutting carbon emissions
cleaner waste disposal
sustainable consumption and development
buying products with less packaging
buying organic products
buying products made from recycled material / renewable sources
using natural remedies as alternative medicine

Explaining causes
caused by
due to
because of
a result of
Explaining effects
leads to
results in
causes
Sample Answer
Qu.1 Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?
I think people in my country are most concerned about future shortages of fresh drinking water,
which I suppose is both a result of poor water management and general global warming. I think
everyone is feeling the effects of the latter problem which is causing us to experience more
extreme temperatures, for example, much colder winters and much hotter summers. The long hot
summers are particularly worrying in the south of the country where there is a real risk of
drought due to the consistent lack of rainfall.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 6 - Technology
Do you use a computer at work or at home?
What do you use a computer for?
Do you like using computers?
When did you learn to use a computer?
What is the importance of computers nowadays?
What jobs do computers do better than people?

Describe a piece of technology that you find useful.
You should say:
what it is
what you can do with it
how often you use it
and explain why you find it so useful

1.
What are some of the main uses of technology for communication?
2.
Do you agree that some people use technology for communication too much?
3.
What differences are there between the attitudes of older and younger people to
technology for communication?
4.
Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in
schools?
5.
Would you agree that the rapid development of digital technology has had a positive
impact on the world of work?
6.
Do you think that the rate of technological expansion will slow down in the years to
come?
Useful Vocabulary
Uses of internet for communication
sending emails
sending text messages
tele-conferencing
video conferencing
online chatting
social networking
blogging
posting messages on forums
using an intranet system
Advantages
offers immediate communication
cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face meetings
allows global communication without the need to travel
more convenient / people can communicate on-the-move
allows friends and family overseas to stay connected
gives everybody the chance to have a public voice
Disadvantages
people may lose real social skills
people may spend less time socialising face-to-face
people may become more introverted
people may become adicted to social network sites
people spend too much time in front of a screen
Technology and Education
interactive whiteboards
e-learning
online degrees
self-access centres / study
online tutor
blended learning (online + face-to-face)
Advantages
offers more flexibility for the learner
allows people in rural areas the same study opportunities
cheaper for students (no travel / accmmodation costs)
students & teachers are less bound by time and space
Technology and Work
automated processes
automated manufacturing
automated customer services
high-tech computer systems
computerised filing / administrative systems
huge databases
intranet system / internal emailing
Disadvantages
has made some jobs redundant
gives customers less personal service
requires staff to be technically skilled
may cause security issues /files may be lost
requires a lot of investment
breakdowns in the system may cause severe problems

Giving reasons
due to (the fact that)
because of
because
as a result of
thats why
Sample Answer
Qu. Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?
I think the growth of the internet has had a major impact on current teaching methods and Im sure
general standards have improved as a result. I strongly believe that the motivation for both
learning and teaching has increased because of the phenomenal amount of information now
available to both students and teachers. On the other hand, due to a danger of information
overload, some people may be put off using technology in the classroom, wishing for a return to
more traditional methods.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 7 - Free Time
How much free time do you have?
How do you spend your free time?
What kinds of things do you like doing in your free time?
Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with other people?
Do you think people have enough free time these days?
What do you usually do on weekends?
What did you do last weekend?
Do you have plans for the next weekend?

Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free time.
You should say:
what kind of activity it is
how often you do it
what equipment you need to do it
and explain why you enjoy doing it.

1.
What kind of free-time activities are typical in your country?
2.
Have there been any recent changes in the types of leisure activities that people fnd
popular?
3.
Do you agree that its important for people of different ages to do leisure activities
together?
4.
In your opinion, who is responsible for encouraging children to take up different leisure
pursuits parents or teachers?
5.
Do you think people have less time for leisure activities now compared to the past?
6.
Do you think that technology will have a significant impact on the types of leisure
activities we will enjoy in the future?
Useful Vocabulary
Popular Outdoor Leisure Activities
playing / practising / doing sport(s)
rambling / hiking / walking
running/ jogging
cycling
fishing
horse riding
(wind) surfing
(ice) skating
sailing / canooing / kayaking
skiing
snowboarding
skateboarding
hanging out / meeting up with friends
eating out / going to restaurants or cafes
Popular Indoor Leisure Activities
going to the gym / keeping fit / doing exercise
doing yoga / pilates / aerobics
doing martial arts (karate/judo)
swimming
going to the cinema / theatre
playing a musical instrument
acting (amateur dramatics)
dancing (ballet / tap / ballroom / hip-hop / freestyle / latin)
singing (in a group / choir)
playing computer games
surfing the internet
cooking
reading
playing board games
doing puzzles
listening to music

Natural fillers
I suppose
I guess
Let me think
Let me see
Um, well
Er, Im not sure
like, you know
I dont know
Sample Answer
Qu. Do you agree that its important for people of different ages to do leisure activities together?
Um well I think in some cases it could be important for people of different ages to do leisure
activities together. For example, parents or even grandparents can enjoy doing fun things with their
children or grandchildren, like, you know, things that dont require a lot of physical ability such as
playing games, reading or cooking. I guess that sometimes it is very important for older people to
do things with younger ones, especially more difficult skills that need to be taught like I dont
know martial arts or playing a musical instrument.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 8 - Entertainment
Cinema
Do you like watching films?
What kinds of films do you enjoy?
Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
Do people go to the cinema or the theatre in your home town?
How often do you watch films / go the cinema?
When was the last time you went to the cinema or the theatre? What did you see?
When you were a child what kind of movies did you like to watch?
Would you like to be in a film / play? Why / why not?
Television
Do you watch much TV?
When do you usually watch TV?
Who do you normally watch TV with?
What kind of TV programmes do you like the most?
Do you have a favourite TV programme at the moment?
What TV programmes do you remember from your childhood?

Describe a film you found interesting.
You should say:
when you saw this film
why you decided to see this film
what happened in the film
and explain why you found this film interesting.

1.
Is the cinema a popular form of entertainment in your country?
2.
Which do you think is more enjoyable, watching films in the cinema or watching films at
home?
3.
Do you think that films shown in cinemas should have an educational value?
4.
Is it important for governments to support film-making in their countries?
5.
Do you think the Internet has already had a big impact on the entertainment industry?
6.
In what ways do you think that entertainment media may develop in the future?
Useful Vocabulary
Cinema (advantages)
the thrill of watching something on the big-screen
more exciting/intense atmosphere
big screen really brings the characters to life
able to appreciate the cinematography
can enjoy a night out with friends
the excitement of watching a premiere screening
Watching TV (advanatges)
can sit in the comfort of your own home
can choose what you want to watch
can flick through the channels
can invite your friends round
can watch a variety of programmes
can switch it off if you get bored
Film-making
social responsibility to make educational/informative films
good media for reaching wide audiences
has high impact on the public
can get worldwide recognition
can deliver social messages
can bring widespread attention to social/world problems
Technology & Entertainment (examples)
online gaming / games / gambling
downloading films / videos (YouTube)
downloading music (iTunes)
computer game consoles (PlayStation / Wii)
social networking (Facebook / Twitter)

Giving more exact information
in (actual) fact
actually
as a matter of fact
to be more exact
to be more precise
Sample Answer
Qu. Do you think that films shown in cinemas should have an educational value?
No, I dont think that its necessary for all films to be educational. In fact, I think people go to the
cinema because they simply want to be entertained, not always educated. Watching a film on the big
screen is a form of escapism and so people want adventure, romance or fantasy. As far as Im
concerned, if Im looking to be educated I would choose to read a book or watch a documentary,
although actually I do also enjoy historical films which teach me something about the past.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 9 - Education
Do you work or are you a student?
What subject are you studying?
Is it a difficult subject?
Why did you choose this subject?
What do you like most about this subject?
Whats the most interesting aspect of your subject?
What do you plan to do when you finish studying?
At what age do most people leave school in your country?
Do you think its a good age to leave school?
What was your favourite subject at school? Why?
What do you think are the most important subjects at school?

Describe a teacher that had a positive influence on you.
You should say:
what subject this teacher taught
how long he/she was your teacher
what positive attributes this teacher had
and explain why you remember this teacher in particular.

1.
Is there a system of free state education in your country?
2.
Do you think school and university prepares young people adequately for real life?
3.
Do you think there is too much pressure on young people at school these days?
4.
Do you agree that there is too much emphasis on formal testing?
5.
Have there been significant changes in schooling methods in your country in recent
years?
6.
Do you think schools provide enough careers advice to young people?
Useful Vocabulary
School
nursery / primary / secondary schools / education
state school / private school
boarding school
all girls / all boys school
to go to / attend school
the curriculum
extra-curricular activities
school trips
to sit / do / take an exam
to resit / retake an exam
to revise (for an exam)
to pass / to fail an exam
to get exam results
to get qualifications / to be qualified
to leave school / a school-leaver
to drop out of school / to be a dropout
to study for [a qualification / an exam]
to be academic / to be an all-rounder
University
tertiary / higher education
colleges of higher education / technical colleges / universities
to apply for a course
to get an (un)conditional offer
to do a course in [subject]
halls of residence / student accommodation
student union / student body
an undergraduate
a graduation ceremony
to get a university degree / a Masters / a Doctorate (Phd)
to graduate from university / to graduate in [subject]
a university graduate
a postgraduate student / course
to do a postgraduate course / a Masters / a PhD (Doctorate)
to be a qualified [job title]
to qualify in [subject]
to take a gap year
to drop out of university

Introducing a contrast
However,
Nevertheless,
On the one hand . but on the other hand
Although
Despite
But,
Sample Answer
Qu.1 Is there a system of free state education in your country?
In my country there is a state education system offering free education for children from 318, although parents still have to pay for food, materials, school trips and other extra-curricular
activities. This is only one part of the system, however, because there are also private schools
and semi-private schools, which are partly funded by the state. So on the one hand it appears
that we do have free state education, but in actual fact it isnt available to everyone because places
are limited.
Speaking Practice Test: Practice Test 10 - Communication
What languages do you speak?
Do you think its important to learn a foreign language?
When did you start learning a foreign language?
Do you enjoy learning languages?
Do you think young children should learn to speak a foreign language at school?
Are there any languages you would like to learn? What are they? Why?
What activity do you find most useful for learning English?
What do you find most difficult about learning English?

Describe a conversation you had which was important to you.
You should say:
when the conversation took place
who you had the conversation with
what the conversation was about
and explain why the conversation was important to you.

1.
What differences are there when using various channels of communication (face-toface, telephone, writing)?
2.
To what extent do you think the media influences how people communicate with each
other?
3.
Do you think there are differences in the way men and women communicate?
4.
Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older?
5.
Do you agree that education has a strong and positive effect on peoples ability to
communicate effectively?
6.
What impact has the growth of technology had on the way people communicate and
how do you think this will develop in the future?
Useful Vocabulary
Common forms of communication
speaking / talking face-to-face
speaking / talking on the phone / by mobile phone
sending a text message / an SMS (texting)
sending / writing a letter (snail mail)
sending / writing an email
using an electronic messenger service
social networking
sending a fax
Non-verbal forms of communication
lip-reading
using body language
using sign language
using hand gestures / signals
using facial expressions
Informal utterances
Give me a call
Call me
Send me a text / an email
Text me / email me
Drop me a line (letter/email)
Give me a buzz (call)
Give me a bell (call)
Keep / Stay in touch
Ill be in touch
Other forms of communication
making / giving a speech
speaking in public / public speaking
giving a lecture / lecturing
giving a seminar
Reasons for communicating
giving a demonstration / demonstrating
giving instructions / instructing
asking for / giving directions (directing)
asking for / giving advice (advising)
making a complaint / complaining
making small talk / building social relations
exchanging views / opinions
gossiping
Business communication
writing a report / proposal / recommendation
participating in a call conference
participating in a video conference
giving a presentation
chairing a meeting
Effective communication skills
maintaining eye-contact
projecting your voice
varying your intonation
punctuating your sentences
emphasizing / repeating key words
engaging the listener

Giving opinions
In my view,
In my opinion,
From my point of view,
In my experience,
As I see it,
Personally, I think
I believe / feel that
For me personally,
As far as Im concerned,
Sample Answer
Qu. Do you think that people become better communicators as they get older?
I think that peoples ability to communicate does improve with age because generally speaking,
people get more confident as they gain more experience of life and I believe that confidence is a
major factor. On the other hand, some people may become more self-conscious as they got older,
particularly when they reach certain stages in their life such as adolescence. For me personally,
I feel that Im a better communicator now than when I was younger.

Speaking Vocabulary

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Speaking Vocabulary

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

SPEAKING VOCABULARY

Speaking Practice Test: Part 1 questions

Do you work or study?

What do you do for living?

Did you have any difficulty getting your present job?

Do you enjoy your work?

Which part of your job is exciting?

What are the main tasks in your job?

Do you plan to continue/stay in this job for a long time?

Would you like to change this job?

Do you work or are you a student?

What subject are you studying?

Why did you choose this subject?

What do you like most about this subject?

Whats the most interesting aspect of your subject?

What do you plan to do when you finish studying?

At what age do most people leave school in your country?

Do you think its a good age to leave school?

What was your favourite subject at school? Why?

What do you think are the most important subjects at school?

What city or town are you from?

Is it a big city or a small town?

Is it a rural or urban area?

Tell me about your home town/city.

Describe your neighbourhood.

Is it a good place for people with young children?

Can you describe the people of your home town/city?

What do most people do for work in your home town/city?

What is your home town/city it famous for?

Do you think it is a good/interesting place to live in?

What sort of home do you live in?

Do you live in a house or a flat?

How long have you lived in your home?

What do you like or dislike about your home?

What is your favorite room? Why?

Is there anything youd like to improve about your home?

Do you do household chores? What are they?

What type of chores did you do as a child?

Do you have a small or large family?

Do you spend a lot of time with your family?

What do you enjoy doing most with your family?

How do families help each other in your country?

Do you think attitudes to families are changing?

Who do you eat your main meals with?

When do you have your main meal of the day?

Do you prefer to eat at home or in restaurants?

Do you think home-cooked meals are healthier?

On what occasions in your country do people eat special meals?

What dishes are popular in your country?

Is it important for families to eat together where you live?

Do you think it is good for people to eat together as a group?

Describe a traditional dish from your country.

Do you have a small or large circle of friends?

How often do you see your friends?

What things do you like doing together?

How important is it to have close friends?

What makes a good friend?

How much free time do you have?

How do you spend your free time?

What kinds of things do you like doing in your free time?

Do you think people have enough free time these days?

What do you usually do on weekends?

What did you do last weekend?

Do you have plans for the next weekend?