B2 – FCE – First for Schools

Teacher: Maria Bernadete Rios Penha de Araújo

Task information for Part 3

Part 3 is divided into 2 parts.

Part 1 - Discussion
01. In the first part you and your partner will be given a paper with 5 written
prompts and have to answer a question.
02. You have about 2 minutes to discuss the question talking about the 5 prompts
giving your opinion about them.
03. The question is in the centre with the 5 prompts around the sides.
04. You have to talk with your partner and make a decision.
05. You have to discuss all the 5 prompts, but don’t worry if you haven’t
discussed all of them in the time available. However, you should continue the
discussion until the examiner interrupts you.
06. Make sure you express your opinions clearly and give reasons for what you
say.
07. You have to:
. give opinions and justify them
. agree or disagree
. make suggestions
. reach a decision through negotiation

Part 2 – Decision-making task

01. After you’ve finished talking to your partner, the examiner will ask you and
your partner a question about the subject you’ve just discussed. You have to
try to reach agreement about something.
02. You have about 1 minute to discuss this question with your partner.

Tips for Part 3 – Part 1

01. Like in part 1 and part 2, your score depends on:

. Grammar
. Vocabulary
. Discourse management (whether you can speak fluently and coherently)
. Pronunciation

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02. Now in part 3, your score will also depend on interactive communication.
This means that your score depends how you communicate with your partner.
This means it’s important to work with your partner and speak together.
03. The examiner wants to know:
. Can you begin a conversation?
. Are you able to listen and respond to your partner in an appropriate way?
. Can you keep the conversation going?
. Can you ask your partner questions?
. Can you take turns with your partner, speaking when it’s your turn but also
giving your partner the chance to speak?

04. Use the question in the middle to help you focus on the task.

05. Useful phrases and expressions

1. It’s a good idea to ask your partner if they would like to start the
conversation. It will show the examiner that you can begin a conversation
and, at the same time giving yourself more time to think about the task.
You could simple say:
. Would you like to begin?
. Shall I start?
. Shall we talk about this one to start with?
. Shall I go first?
. Would you like to start or shall I?
. Shall we begin with this one?

2. How to start talking:

. I think … might be a good idea.
. Personally, I think …
. In my opinion, …

3. Some phrases to agree with your partner:

. I say your point.
. You make some great points.
. I couldn’t agree with you more! You’re absolutely right.
. … sounds a good idea.
. I completely agree with you.

4. Some phrases to disagree:

. Use polite phrases and keep the conversation moving. This will make you
sound more fluent.
. I can see what you mean, but …
. I’m not sure I agree.
. I get your point, but …
.That’s one way of looking at it. On the other hand …
. I know what you mean, but …
. Well, maybe though …
. Yes, that’s true, but …
. I think I’d rather …

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06. Here are some good ways to improve your interactive communication score:

1. Take short turns when speaking with your partner, this way the
conversation moves quickly and you can discuss more of the written
prompts:
. Don’t speak for too long: expressing an idea and then ask your partner
a question.
. When your partner speaks, comment on what he says and then ask a
new question.
This way you’ll sound natural and engaged. This will improve your score.

2. Use body language – it’s an important part of expressing yourself:

. Turn towards your partner and make eye contact. Remember, you’re
talking to your partner, not to the examiner. This will also make the
conversation more natural and help you to relax.
. You must show that you are interested in what your partner says. You
need to pay attention to what they say so that you can respond
appropriately.

3. Expressions to interact with your partner:

. Which do you prefer … ?
. What’s your opinion on … ?
. What do you think?
. What do you think about … ?
. Do you think it’s a good idea to … ?
. What do you think of this idea?
. Let’s talk about the next one.

4. Express your opinions

. It’s good to agree and disagree with your partner. This will help you to
express your opinions and have a more natural conversation
. Make sure you disagree politely so that you don’t offend your partner.
e.g. . I’m not sure that a dress and high heels would be a good choice for
going out with friends. I think that jeans and a jumper could be a lot
more comfortable and you could make them look stylish, too.

5. Ask questions
. It’s always a good idea to ask your partner questions.
. A good time to ask a question is after you disagree with your partner. This
moves the conversation forward and helps you to

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 e.g. I’m not sure that jeans and a jumper could be a lot more comfortable
and you could make them look stylish, too. What about shorts and a
T-shirt? When do you think people might wear them?
Asking your partner a question after you disagree with them moves the
conversation forward and stops any possible arguments. It will also give
you higher score in your interactive communication mark.

06. How to due with difficult partners

If your partner won’t stop talking about the same point, you interrupt them,
and you could say:
. That’s an interesting point, but what about his idea?
. OK, let’s discuss this point next.
. Shall we move on to this point now?

These sentences will give you a higher score because you are interacting
with your partner and moving the conversation forward.

07. Sample questions and answers:

Examples of answers to the question given:

1. This isn’t a good answer, because there is no interaction with the partner:

“I think that all of these inventions are very important in modern society and
we use most of them every day. However, I don’t think it’s as important to
have separate mobile phones and computers as nowadays we have smart
phones which are like small computers.”

2. This is a good answer:

“That’s a good point, however, I don’t think it’s as important to have separate
mobile phones and computers as nowadays we have smart phones which
are like small computers. What’s your opinion on this?

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 Tips for Part 3 – Part 2

Answering the question in Part 2 of the exam.

. You have 1 minute to answer these questions and with some sort of conclusion.
You and your partner have to try to get to an agreement.

. Listen again to the examiner and then begin the decision-making by saying, for
example:
. So, which do you think would be best?
. Which shall we go for?

. Try to decide which to choose, for example:

. Shall we do this one?
. I’m in favour of that one.

. If you agree, say something like:

. Right, that’s what we’ll do.

. If you can’t decide, you can say:

. Shall we leave it at that, then?
. Let’s agree to disagree.
e.g. “Which of these inventions do you think is the least important?
. Here is one example, but not a very good one:
“In my opinion the dishwasher is the least important because it’s not
necessary to use one to clean your plates and things. What do you think?”
Why isn’t it a good answer? Because you answered the question too early.
Remember that you have about 1 minute to answer the question.

. It follows a good answer:

“From what you said earlier, I liked your idea that computers are less
necessary these days because everyone has smart pones and tablets. Do
you think that this means that computers aren’t important any more?

This is a good answer because you’re discussing the question in depth with
your partner. You’re asking questions and referring back to your partner’s
past answers. This shows the examiner that you can have a complex
conversation. This would give a high score in the interactive communication.

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Summary:
1. Listen carefully to the instructions and look at the diagram with your
partner.

2. Start the discussion.

3. Begin by talking about one of the things, giving your opinion, or perhaps
making a suggestion.

4. Talk briefly about each thing. Reply to your partner’s ideas and give
reasons for your suggestions, opinions and preferences. If you disagree
with him or her, be polite.

5. Remember to interact with your partner.

6. Make sure you speak for about the same length of time as your partner.

7. Listen to the examiner again and then begin the decision-making.

8. Try to decide which to choose.

9. If you agree, say: Right, that’s what we’ll do.

10. If you disagree, you can say Shall we leave it at that, then? or Let’s
agree to disagree.