B2 PREPARATION - CEP de JAÉN 2016/2017

SESSION 9: AN OVERVIEW OF THE INTERACTIVE PHASE

The focus of this unit is the interactive phase of the exam. Before we move into the topic
itself, let’s consider some IMPORTANT POINTS THAT MUST BE COVERED:

During the interactive phase, the candidate must always:

1. Take control of the interaction.

2. Maintain the discourse by asking for information and commenting on responses.
3. Encourage comment and opinion from the examiner.
4. Take, offer and give up turns when appropriate.
5. Take the opportunity to use as broad a range of Grade 9 language functions as
possible. (See Language Reference)

And when appropriate:

1. Express abstract ideas.

2. Express regrets, wishes and hopes.
3. Express assumptions.
4. Paraphrase.
5. Evaluate options.
6. Hypothesise.
7. Evaluate past actions or course of events.

WARNING!!! THERE ARE 5 MISTAKES TO AVOID IN THIS PHASE

1. Don’t interrupt the instructions.
2. Don’t focus only on 1 word from the prompt.
3. Don’t just ask 1-word questions.
4. Don’t talk about yourself, talk about the examiner’s situation.
5. Ask questions to find out more information before you give advice or make comments.

The Interactive phase only lasts four minutes, so there is a lot for you to do within a short
frame time. This unit will provide some conversational strategies to help you comfortably
approach the Interactive phase.

The examiner will introduce this phase by saying:

“For the next part, I’ll tell you something. Then, you have to ask me questions to find out
more information and make comments. You need to keep the conversation going. After four
minutes, I’ll end the conversation. Are you ready? ”

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B2 PREPARATION - CEP de JAÉN 2016/2017

SAMPLE PROPMPTS

1. After I left school, I moved away from my home town, but some of my friends stayed. I
wonder who made the better decision.
2. Recently, my local government decided to close down the swimming pool. I think there
should’ve been more consultation about it.
3. My friends gave up their well-paid jobs a couple of years ago and went to live on a
farm in the country. Now they’re regretting this decision.
4. My sister told me that she wishes the computer had never been invented. She
remembers how much easier her life was without them. Perhaps she’s right.
5. If I’d taken more notice of my teachers when I was growing up, my life would be very
different now.
6. A large, new supermarket has just opened in my area. At first I thought it would be
great, but now I wish it had never been built.
7. When my friend was 17, he had to change schools because his parents moved to a
different town. I wonder if this was fair.
8. The town I live in has changed dramatically over the last few years. I’m now wondering
whether such developments are always positive.
9. Sometimes I wonder what it might have been like to grow up with lots of brothers and
sisters.
10. My friend’s been feeling really upset. She told me she made two bad decisions last
year and wishes she could change them now.
11. For the past few years, I’ve been sent a birthday card with a romantic message, but
I’ve no idea who might have sent them. It was funny at first but now I’m getting
concerned.
12. Every year, at some point, like lots of other people, I look back and remember what
went well and what didn't and try to make plans for the coming year. I've just had my
annual review.
13. My family and I usually prefer independent holidays which we organise ourselves. Last
year we tried something different.
14. My friend and I both witnessed the same road accident a few weeks ago and
remembered what had happened very clearly but we gave the police two very
different versions of events.
15. My cousin's been offered a new job. He says he was given a very strange interview so
doesn't know whether to take the job or not.
16. I complained to my boss the other week about my salary and now I'm beginning to
wish I hadn't said anything.
17. When my/my sister's family got a new pet last year, many changes had to be made to
family life. Some members of the family weren't as happy as others.
18. When I was on holiday recently, I bought a typical souvenir of the region which I loved
at the time but when I got it home, I had second thoughts about it.
19. If I'd taken music more seriously when I was younger, I think I might have been quite a
good musician/singer.

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