FCE Speaking Test

Part 1 Questions
First Certificate Speaking Questions
I just spent a few hours going through all my FCE materials and typing out all the questions I could
find from part 1 of the speaking test.

They are from past exams, official Cambridge test preparation books, and so on.

I've organised them into topics, but sometimes one question could go in different sections. I chose
the one that seemed most logical to me.

Starters
 What is your name? / Where are you from? By the way, it’s a good idea to be able to
spell your name!

Where You Live Now and Your Home Country

 Is it easy to meet new people where you live?
 What's the best place to spend a free afternoon in your town?
 How expensive is it to go out in the evening where you live?
 Could you tell me something about the area where you grew up?
 Could you describe your family home to me?
 What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited near ….?
 Is there anything you would like to learn about your country?
 Which area of your country would you like to get to know better?
 What do you like about living there?
 Tell us about a festival or celebration in [your home country].

Daily Life
 Tell us about a day you’ve really enjoyed recently.
 Are you planning to do anything special this weekend?
 How much time do you spend at home?
 What did you do on your last birthday?
 Do you like cooking?
 What’s your favourite food?
 What’s your favourite day of the week?
 What’s your favourite part of the day?
 Which time of year is your favourite?
Education and Work
 Do you use the internet to learn new things?
 Do you prefer working on your own or with other people?
 What do you think would be the most interesting job to do?
 Do you find it easy to study where you live?
 What were the most important things you learned at primary school?
 Would you prefer to work for a big or small company?
 What kind of work would you really like to do in the future?
 Are you happier doing mental or physical work?
 Can you remember your first English lessons?

Travel and Holidays

 Where would you most like to go on holiday in future?
 Do you prefer traveling by train or plane?
 Do you plan your holidays or decide everything spontaneously?
 Have you ever used English while traveling?
 Is there a good public transport system in your country?

Entertainment
 Do you ever go to concerts?
 How important is TV to you?
 How much TV do you watch in a week?
 Do you like the same TV programmes as your parents?
 Tell us about a TV programme you've seen recently.
 Do you enjoy going to parties?
 How often do you read newspapers?
 Do you like shopping?
 Where do you like listening to music?
 Do you like going to the cinema?
 Tell me about your favourite film star.
 Tell us about a film you really like.
 Do you enjoy playing computer games?
 Do you use the internet much?
 What do you use the internet for?
 Do you ever listen to the radio?
Family and Friends
 Who are the most important people in your life?
 What do you enjoy doing with your friends?
 Who do you spend your free time with
 Have you done anything interesting with your friends recently?
 Who are you most like in your family?
 Do you and your friends share the same ideas?
 Tell me about your best friend.
 Tell me about a good friend of yours.
 Do you normally go out with family or friends?
 Tell me a little about your family.

Free Time
 How much time do you spend at home nowadays?
 Do you have a favourite newspaper or magazine?
 What's the most exciting thing you've ever done?
 Tell us about a TV programme you’ve seen recently?
 What’s the difference between reading the news in the newspaper and watching it on TV?
 Who do you spend your free time with?
 Do you prefer to be outside or inside when you have free time?
 What do you most enjoy doing when you're at home?
 Is your routine at weekends different from your daily routine?
 What do you spend your time doing?
 Do you enjoy reading?
 What sort of books do you read?
 Does anyone you know have an interesting hobby?

Sports
 Are you interested in sport?
 Is there a sport or hobby you enjoy doing?
 Is there a sport you’d really like to try?
 What sports do people play most in your country?
 How much exercise do you take each week?
 Do you like to be physically active or do you prefer relaxing?

The Future
 Is there anything you'd love to be able to do in the future?
  Do you plan to study anything in the future?
 What are you going to do this weekend?
 Are you going to do anything special this weekend?
 Do you think computers will replace newspapers and TV in the future?
 Which country would you most like to visit in the future?
 Do you think you'll go there one day?

And don't forget the most important question - if you give a short answer, the examiner will probably
ask 'WHY'?

Are you interested in sport?

Yes.

Why?

Speaking Test Part 2

(It's easy when you know how.)

Part 2 Overview
Part two of the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Speaking test is called the 'Long Turn' because you and
student B take turns to give long speeches. You get two colour photos. You have to talk about them
on your own for a minute. When you finish, the examiner asks the other student (student B) a
question about your photos - student B should talk for about 30 seconds.

Then student B gets two photos and has to talk about them for one minute. When that is over, the
examiner asks you a question, and now you have about 30 seconds to answer.
1. Interaction Diagram

In this part of the test, nobody should interrupt you, and you shouldn't talk when the
other student is talking.

2. More Detail

The photos are always different but the process is always the same. The examiner will
ask you to COMPARE the photos AND SAY something about them.

Study these examples from past exams:

Compare the photographs and say why they have chosen to travel in this way.
Compare the photographs and say why you think the people are talking.
Compare the photographs and say what the people are enjoying about doing these
things.

See the pattern? So the first thing you should learn is how to compare things, and
make sure you answer the second part of the question.

Read my article about useful language for speaking test part 2 for some ideas.

FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 2 USEFUL PHRASES

Do you want a list of useful phrases for the FCE speaking test? Here's a great list, but
we also explain HOW to use all the sentences. Great, right?

Here are some useful phrases you can use in part 2 of the FCE speaking test. I've also
written some example sentences so you can see how to use them properly. All my
example sentences are based on these photos.

The top picture shows...

The bottom picture shows...

[The top picture shows a man riding a bicycle, while the bottom picture shows a man riding a
motorbike.]

In one photo there are...

In the other photo there are...

[In one photo there are some wonderful, snow-covered trees while in the other photo there are cars
in the background.]

In the picture above it looks as if...

In the one below it looks like...

[In the picture above it looks as if a bear is chasing the man while in the one below it looks like the
man is chasing somebody else.]
Both pictures show...
In both pictures there are...
They're both quite similar because they both show...

[Both pictures show men traveling on their own.]

There are... in both photographs.

[There are men riding alone in both photographs.]

This picture shows... but that one...

[This one shows a cold country but that one looks quite hot.]

In one respect the pictures are quite similar because...

[In one respect the pictures are quite similar because the men look very fit and sporty.]

One difference between the pictures is that...

[One difference between the pictures is that we can see other cars and people in this picture.]

The biggest difference between them is that this one... but the other one...

[The biggest difference between them is that this one has a bear in it but the other one doesn't have
any bears.]

This one looks more ... than that.

[This one looks more fun than that.]

Doing ... isn't so ... as...

[Riding a motorbike in a busy city isn't so healthy as riding a bike in the fresh air.]

In my opinion...
I'd say that...
I think...
It seems to me...
My view is that...

[My view is that this bear has been photoshopped into that picture. There's no way that's a real
picture. It seems to me that the maker of FCE Exam Tips tried to make this more interesting by
putting a bear in the photo.]

Another thing that's different is...

Something else that's different is...

[This is a cold place, whereas this place looks hot. Another thing that's different is that this
motorbike looks quite old and cheap, while the bike seems quite expensive.]

They're alike in another way, too.

[Both men look strong and healthy. They're alike in another way, too - they are both adventurous
and don't mind traveling alone.]

3. Common Mistakes
 Most FCE students describe the photos. Nobody asked you to describe them! You are asked
to compare - there's a big difference. Describing has ONE element - This man is riding a
bike. Comparing has TWO elements - This picture shows a man riding a bike while this one
shows a motorbike.
 If you forget a word or make a mistake, don't worry. Just keep talking. You have to talk for
one minute. Mistakes are normal. Keep going!

How about an example?

Compare the two photos and say what might be good or bad for the people traveling in these
ways.

BAD:

There is a man riding a bicycle. He has a helm. Um... helm. Hat? Helmhat? Helmet! Yes, he has a
helmet. This man is on a motor bicycle. There is a yellow taxi behind him. Um... I finished.

(Problems: described the photos - didn't compare - wasted time on one word - didn't say what might
be good or bad.)

GOOD:

Both pictures show men on their own. In the picture on the top there's a man on a bicycle while in
the other picture he's got a motorbike. In the first photo he's out in the countryside somewhere,
maybe in Scandinavia. In contrast, this man is in a city and it looks quite dusty and polluted. Here in
the first image, though, we can see it looks clean and the air seems fresh.

I think there are good things about traveling by bicycle - it's good exercise and it's very healthy. And
cheap! On the other hand, riding a motorbike doesn't give any health benefits and it's much more
expensive because you have to buy petrol.

What about the downsides of the bicycle? I suppose it isn't very safe because cars don't respect
you. But that's the same on the motorbike sometimes. Oh, the bike is quite slow - much slower than
the motorbike. That's the really good thing about the motorbike - the speed, and it's easy to find a
parking space!

4. Practice
It's easy to practice - you just need two photos on a similar theme. Make sure they have people in.

I just typed the word 'travel' into google image search. The first two photos are PERFECT:

They've both got two people, but the first one looks like two friends and in the other it looks like a
couple. The first shows a trip to the countryside while the second is in a city.

What sort of question would the examiner ask?

Compare the two photos and ...

 say what is good and bad about these types of holidays

 say what the people are looking at and why
 say why they have chosen this sort of holiday.

Easy, right?

Now you know how to make your own exam-style questions, you can practice whenever you want.

5. The Follow-Up Question

Let's say student B was given the photos from part 4. He would talk for one minute, and then the
examiner would ask you a question about the photos.

Something simple like:

Which of these holidays would you prefer?

You should talk for about 30 seconds. How many sentences can you say in half a minute. Three?
Four? Let's say you can say three sentences in 30 seconds. You could say something like this:

Well, that's a very difficult question because I like both types of holiday. It's very interesting going
somewhere outside of the city because I like to get some fresh air and see some dramatic things.
But probably my first choice would be to go to a city, because there are also nice things to see but
then I can get an ice cream whenever I want.
Part 3 Overview
In part 3 you given a spider web with five keywords linking to a question. It looks like this:

You get about 15 seconds to read everything, then you have to discuss it with your partner for 2
minutes. When the 2 minutes is over, the examiner will stop you and he will ask another question.
You discuss that question for another minute.

1. Interaction diagram

You speak to your partner, and listen to what they say.

2. About the 2015 changes

In 2015 Cambridge changed the First exam. They changed the name and they made some
improvements to different parts of the test.

In the old version of Speaking part 3, candidates had 3 minutes to discuss the 5 topics AND say
which was the most important. This led to a lot of messy conversations where students started by
deciding what the most important thing was and talking nonsense for 2 and a half minutes.

The new version is better - you have 2 minutes to explore the 5 topics, and THEN another minute to
decide which is most important or the best.

3. Collaborative task

This part of the exam is called the Collaborative Task. To collaborate means to work as a team.
Imagine you had a discussion with a friend or work colleague in your own language - you wouldn't
talk for two minutes while the other person said nothing (at least I hope you wouldn't) and you would
listen to what the other person said and be interested in it (at least I hope you would).
So - treat your partner like an EQUAL - give them equal chance to speak and be prepared to agree
and disagree with them in a respectful way.

Have you ever played chess with a clock? You make your move, hit the button, your clock stops
ticking and your partner's clock starts. It would be very useful to have one of these clocks while
practicing this part of the exam. At the end you should both have spoken about the same amount of
time. (Of course 5 or 10 seconds difference is no big deal.)

Another way to think of it is like a tennis practice - you hit the ball to your partner with the goal of
playing for as long as possible.

You will get a good grade if you ask questions and react to what the other student says.

You will get a bad grade if you are selfish, don't listen, or try to monopolise the conversation.

4. What if my partner is shy or aggressive?

There's normally no need to worry about this.

First, you can find a speaking test partner and register for the exam together. Then you will know
who your speaking test partner will be. Problem solved.

Second, if you do end up with an aggressive speaking partner, you will have lots of time in parts 1,
2, and 4 to show your speaking skills. In part 3, try your best to politely interrupt and to be sociable -
the examiners will notice and you will gain points while the other student is losing them.

If your partner is too shy, just give them opportunities to talk as normal, wait a few seconds for an
answer, then answer them yourself if needed. You know - exactly what you would do in your own
language.

5. I can't talk about 5 points in detail in 2 minutes!

True! And you don't have to. In fact, you probably shouldn't. it's much better to have a really good,
deep conversation about three of the topics than to race through and mention five. The good
discussions in my classes tend to hit 3 or 4 topics.

6. Help! We don't agree about anything!

it doesn't matter - it's all about opinions. There are no right or wrong answers, only good or bad
discussions. If you disagree, explain why. Try to persuade your partner that your way is right. But
also, when your partner says something good, react. 'Oh, that's a good point, I hadn't thought of
that.'
Cambridge are only interested in the quality of the discussion and the quality of your language (your
grammar and vocabulary). You won't lose points if you say something crazy like:
“We shouldn’t build new parks because tourists hate green spaces. We should build more concrete
buildings if we want to attract more tourists.”
In fact, those sentences are relevant to the task (providing parks is one of the 5 topics) and there's
some good vocabulary.

7. What's the best way to do it?

 LISTEN to your partner. Don't just wait for your turn to speak. Be interested in what they are
saying and politely agree or disagree. If you disagree, try to persuade them to change their
idea, but don't spend too long doing that.
 Refer back to things you already said.
 Say a couple of sentences then ask a question. Never answer your own questions!
 Try to look at your speaking partner more than the paper.
 Some students turn their chair a little bit - towards the other student. This helps them to
remember who they should talk to.

8. What are some useful phrases I should learn?

Maybe this helpful article will come in handy?

FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 3 USEFUL PHRASES (WITH EXAMPLES)

Useful phrases for part 3 of the FCE Speaking test, with examples of how to use them.

Would you like a list of phrases you can use in the speaking exam? You would? Then you're in luck!

I've split the phrases into different sections, and at the bottom of the page is an example
conversation which uses some of the phrases in a natural way.

Getting Started

Which one shall we start with?

What do you think, Bob?
Bob, I think you know a lot about [topic]. What's your opinion on it?

Moving to the Next Item

Shall we move onto [topic] now?

So what about [topic]?
I wonder if we can compare [current topic] to [new topic]?
What about this one? [pointing to topic]
What do you think about this idea?
How do you feel about that one?
We're running out of time, so let's move on.
We still need to discuss [topic].
Ah, that connects with the next topic.
[Topic] is pretty similar to the last one - maybe we can skip it for now?

Ending Your Turn

What do you think?

Don't you agree?
Do you have anything to say about that?
Do you have anything to add to that?
Did I forget anything?

Interrupting

Sorry to interrupt but...

Just a second...

Agreeing

Right.
Good point.
I fully agree.
I was just thinking that!
I was just going to say that!
That's just what I was thinking.
I couldn't agree more.
You're totally right.

Disagreeing (with reasons)

Maybe, but what about...?

I think it would be better to...
I'm not so keen on that.
I don't really agree with you there.
Weeeeeell maybe, but...
Yeah, but, the thing is...
The problem with what you said is...
For one thing...[reason 1] And for another... [reason 2]

Reaching a Decision

Well, I think it's definitely not [topic]

We can eliminate [topic] right away. Don't you think?
So then, what do you think is the best one?
I guess you think we should choose [topic]?
Are we both in favour of [topic]?
Okay, so we agree.
I don't think we're going to agree on this!
Let's agree to disagree!

Example Collaborative Task

This example was taken from Ready for First, which you can read about on our FCE Books and
Apps page.

If the image is too small, it says:

What problems might arise in these relationships?

 Brothers and sisters

 Boyfriends and girlfriends
 Flatmates
 Parents and teenagers
 Work colleagues

Let's listen to students Anna (A) and Barbara (B).

A- Which one shall we start with?

B- I'll talk about brothers and sisters first. Um... one of the problems I had with my sister is that she
spends hours in the bathroom.
A- Oh, I know that one!
B- It's not like a big problem but it was a bit annoying.
A- I totally agree - in my case it was my brother who took these really long baths and made a total
mess.

B- Are there any other problems in that relationship?

A- Maybe about money when their parents die. A lot of families fall out over that topic, sadly. But
that's depressing. Shall we move on?
B- Sure!
A- Actually, maybe boyfriends have the same problem with their girlfriends. You know, taking so
much time in the bathroom.
B- Sorry to interrupt but I think that's a bit of a stereotype. It's not really true in my opinion.
A- I have to disagree with you. Honestly, my girlfriend just disappears into the bathroom for hours.
Sometimes I hear the hairdryer.
B- Well, maybe. But I think money can be a big problem in relationships. Some men hate it when
their girlfriend has a higher salary. It depends on the culture and background a little bit, but I've seen
it quite a few times. And they argue about who should pay for bills and such things.
A- That connects with the next topic - flatmates. It's always tricky to decide who should pay which
bills. And who should do which chores, too.
B- That's just what I was thinking. And it's true for brothers and sisters and boyfriends and
girlfriends, too. Everyone argues about money and chores!

A- I feel like parents and teenagers is exactly the same... so let's skip it for now and talk about work
colleagues?
B- Great idea.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Do you need more explanation of how to use the phrases?
Let me know in the comments below.

9. Got any more tips?

 Don't introduce the task. There's really no point saying 'So, Bob, today we have to talk about
attracting more tourists to our town.' Everyone in the room knows what the task is!
Repeating it is just a waste of time.
 In part 1, don't talk about what the most important or best thing is. That is normally the
question for part 2. If you look at the example question at the top of this page, it says 'Why
would these ideas attract more tourists to the town?' Not 'what's the best way to attract more
tourists'. It's a very important difference! Always focus on what the question says.
 If your speaking partner is talking about the wrong thing, bring them back to the task. Say,
'that's very interesting but we should talk about why more tourists would come'.

10. What about the second part?

Everything we said about the first part (2 minutes) applies to the second part (1 minute). You have
to take turns, respond to your partner, agree and disagree, and so on.

The only difference is the task. It's normally something like 'now decide which of the 5 topics is the
most important'.

DON'T start by saying what you think is the most important!

This may seem crazy at first, but look:

- I think providing parks will bring the most tourists because they will have a place to relax,
especially in Summer.

- I totally agree.

END CONVERSATION

There's another 45 seconds left! What are you going to discuss? Nothing useful, that's for sure!

How about this:

- I think the answer definitely isn't putting up security cameras. It might make some people feel safer
but mostly it's just ugly and maybe people will think the city isn't so safe if there is such a need for
cameras. What do you think?

- I totally agree. I think tourists don't want the NSA watching everything they do.

[Great! Now we have 40 seconds left.]

- I think building a nightclub would bring some tourists but would put off some others.
- Yes, especially older ones. The best solution has to be something that's right for teenagers, their
parents, and the elderly. Right?

- Absolutely.

- So I think maybe providing parks will bring the most tourists because they will have a place to
relax, especially in Summer.

- And as you said, it's something for people of all ages.

You see how starting with something that isn't the best leads to a better conversation?

TOP TIP

Refer back to what you said in part 1.

'Well, as Bob said earlier, the answer definitely isn't putting up security cameras.'

Part 4 Overview

In this part of the test you have about 4 minutes to talk about the topics from part 3 in more detail.
You are tested on your ability to give opinions, give reasons for your opinions, and your ability to
politely discuss things with your partner.

1. Who Talks?

The examiner asks you a question. You answer it. But it's not the same as part 1. It's more like part
3 - you should respond to your partner's answers, and you should ask for their opinions.

2. Top Tips
 The questions in part 4 are not written down, so you have to listen carefully. If you don't
understand the question, ask the examiner to repeat it.
 Look at the examiner when you give your answer, but then look at your partner when you
are talking to each other.
 Always explain your answers. 'Yes I think having computers in schools is a good idea
because the children get used to using technology and it will make it easier for them to get a
job in the future.' If you don't explain your answers, the examiner will always ask 'why?' It's
much better if you say why on your own.
 'I don't know' is a BAD answer. You can say, 'Oh, what a question! I never thought about it
before, but maybe...' That gives you a little bit of time to think of something to say.
 Be interested in what your partner says. Agree or disagree with them as in part 3. There are
no right or wrong answers, only good or bad conversations. You can practice this if you're
 taking an FCE course - in the class always ask your partner's opinions on topics and always
ask 'why?'
 Use some interesting vocabulary, and try to use a variety of words. e.g. instead of 'good' you
might say amazing;interesting;costly;over-rated or another word you have learned. All those
words fit in this sentence: 'Giving iPads to schoolchildren is a(n) ______________ idea.'
 When the exam is over, say goodbye but don't ask how well you did. They aren't allowed to
tell you and it just puts them in an embarrassing situation. Also, don't start laughing or
speaking your own language until you have left the room - it's not a job interview but there's
no reason to make a bad impression.

3. Which Questions Do They Ask?

They will ask questions about the topics from part 3. Some possible topics are:

 Travel
 Your Home Country/City
 Learning English
 Shopping
 Free Time
 TV
 Work

I have created a HUGE list of the kinds of questions that are asked in part 4. The guide also has
suggestions on how to answer those questions. Sounds useful? You bet! Go take a look:

40 FCE SPEAKING PART 4 QUESTIONS (WITH MODEL ANSWERS)

Finish the Speaking test on a high note - impress the examiners by giving full answers to their
questions. Start practicing here.

40 Questions to Help You Prepare for the Speaking Test

Here's a list of questions from past First Certificate exams, Cambridge textbooks, and so on. I've
also written sample answers, because I'm an amazing person. You, of course, should think up your
own answers. [Don't memorise answers - it will give a bad impression. Use these questions to
practice.]

 All these questions will be followed by 'why?' if you dont' give reasons - but you should say
why without being asked.
 Many times, the examiner will ask the same question to the second student by saying 'What
do you think?' or 'And you?' But YOU can ask your partner those questions - more talking
time for you and more opportunity to show how you manage a conversation.
TRAVEL

Do you think you have to spend a lot of money to have a good holiday?

I don't know.

(Only joking! Here's a proper reply:)

No I don't think you have to spend a lot of money, but it helps. Money makes things easier: like you
can stay in the city centre instead of the outskirts. But many fun things are free, like walking beside
a river, and there are always cheap restaurants if you have time to look.

What do you think, Jack?

Some people say we travel too much these days and shouldn't go on so many holidays.
What do you think?

I think it's true we take too many flights - that's a big problem because of the pollution. But I don't
have a problem with people traveling by train - we all work very hard and need a break. Travel
broadens the mind and maybe if we meet more foreign people we won't have so many stupid
discussions about immigration.

And you, Jack?

Why do you think people like to go away on holiday?

I heard there is a new word called a staycation - it's a vacation you have in your home. Maybe that's
good because it's cheap, but probably you end up doing your taxes or something. So people need
to go away on holiday to make sure all they can do is relax and enjoy their time.

Am I right, Jack?

(I'm going to stop adding the 'Jack' questions now. I hope you get the idea!)

What do you think is the biggest advantage of living in a place where there are a lot of
tourists?

Oh, what a question! I never thought about it until now because I mostly think it's a bad thing to
have so many tourists in your town... but I suppose it's good for the shops and hotels, and maybe
some of the tourists are single and you can find true love.
WHERE YOU LIVE

What can people do to have a good holiday in your country?

Oh, they should definitely go to York. York is one of the most attractive cities in Britain and
Yorkshire is just gorgeous. And the people there are much more friendly than in other cities. So
you're very likely to have a nice time there.

What's good about living in cities in your country?

Personally I think one of the best things about living in Britain is the weather. No, seriously! I love
rainy days and I feel like everyone is a little bit less noisy when it's raining. And everyone knows that
British food is the best in the world. So we've got the best weather and amazing restaurants.

Which is the best city for people to visit in your country?

I would say York for a few days because it's so nice there, but if you have longer, like more than 4
days, then London is okay. It's got all those famous places to see and lots of things to do. Just don't
expect everyone to be friendly and polite all the time.

If you could choose to visit a city you've never been to, which one would you choose?

I really want to go to Tokyo one day - it's so big and crazy and there's a lot of things happening all
the time. Just seeing it on the TV makes it seem like a fantastic place to visit, but I don't think I'd
want to live there.

Would you prefer to live in a modern city or a city with lots of history?

I love history and a lot of modern buildings have no charm. So that's an easy answer. On the other
hand, I've lived in some beautiful buildings that had very thin windows and no insulation, so a mix of
both is best.

Are there advantages to living in a small town rather than in a big city?

In a small town you have more contact with people - if you like that then that's an advantage.
Personally I'm happy I don't have to talk to my neighbours. But having a sense of community can be
very good for your health.

Do you think it is better for children to grow up in the city or in the countryside?
Probably I'd say it's better to grow up in the countryside and then live in the city, because when
you're near a farm or a forest or something you learn about nature - the names of animals, trees,
things like that. If you just live in the city you don't really learn where food comes from and so on.

HISTORY

What do you think makes a good museum?

Good question - I don't really know because I never found a museum I liked. But if there was one
that wasn't boring, that'd be a good start. Maybe a good museum has more interactive things so
people can understand the history better.

How do you think the teaching of history in schools could be improved?

The main problem with history lessons is that sometimes they're really boring. And ten years later
you watch a movie about the thing you studied and it's actually fascinating. How do they take
something interesting and make it so tedious? So the teachers have to show students why this thing
is worth studying.

Do you agree that learning about our past is important for our future?

Of course, yes, because if we know what happened in the 1930s we can try to stop it happening
again now. I mean, nobody today would vote for a right-wing extremist who wants to kick out all the
foreign people and who is full of hate. Right? Oh.

What was the most important moment in the history of the twentieth century?

Definitely the start of the First World War, because that led to the Second World War and all the
political and social changes. If the first war hadn't happened, I think everything would have gone
differently.

What has been the most important moment in your life so far?

I think the most important day of my life was when I found a website called FCE Exam Tips. I was
studying for the First exam but wasn't confident, and after reading the website I felt like a king.
Invincible. It made me happy to learn English, and that meant I got a good job and I fell in love with
a man from England and now I live in a castle and ride ponies every day.

What items from our lives today will be in the history museums of the future?

Mobile phones, smartphones. Maybe an iPhone because that's the most iconic phone. I think those
will be interesting for people in the future because they will think 'what is this thing?' and in the
museum there will be a note that says 'this is how people used to communicate' and it won't make
any sense. They'll probably laugh at us.
LIFE AND LEISURE

If you could change one thing about your life, what would you change?

Probably my body clock. I really envy those people who get up early and they've gone jogging and
cleared their inbox before I've even got out of bed! I'm a night owl, which is okay, but sometimes I
think I'd get more done if was more like the Swiss.

Many people say life's too busy these days. Why do you think they say this?

They are right, but it's our choice to live that like. You don't have to be on Facebook and Whatsapp,
and you don't have to work five days a week and have four hobbies. Life is busy because we make
it busy, but it's possible to have a lot of things going on while being in control of your time.

Many people want to become famous nowadays. Why do you think this is?

Those famous people, we only see the good parts of their life. The movie premieres, their perfect
wedding, all that stuff. Of course people want to have the same life - the reality is that those famous
people are no happier than any of us. It's all a fantasy.

is it important to enjoy a job or do you think it's enough to be paid well?

A wise man said that if you enjoy your job you'll never work a day in your life. That's because if you
like your job it doesn't feel like work. It's almost like doing your hobby. I know some people like that
and they are happy. I also know some people who have a lot of money but hate their job. They are
always depressed. For me, it's clear.

How important is it to go on holiday every year?

It's not important to go on holiday like a big trip for three weeks. But it's important to take breaks and
to do different things. If you do the same thing every day, every week, you'll go crazy. So if a holiday
is the thing that makes you do something different, then holidays are important.

Some people say we don't spend enough time talking to each other these days. What do you
think?

I think it's not true. You see people on the train all staring at their phones and you think 'oh my god!'
But actually people are as social as ever. They meet friends, they travel together, they eat together.
It's just on the surface that things look different.
SHOPPING

Some people say there will be no need for shops in the future because we'll buy everything
online. What do you think?

Online shopping is getting more popular but there's a limit to what people will buy online. Books,
DVDs, electronics - those are things you can read about online and buy. But clothes and things you
have to touch and feel - people will always want to see them in a shop first, maybe try them on.

Do you think it's true that we buy a lot of things we don't really need these days?

I'm someone who tries to think about things before I buy, maybe take a couple of weeks to see if I
really need it. But most people aren't like that - they just spend the money without thinking. So,
sadly, yes it's true. We're just shoppers now.

Do you think that out of town shopping centres are a good idea?

Yes and no. Of course it's very convenient and they are really big so they have everything. But it's a
shame to lose the local shops and the variety of shops is much less than it used to be because the
out of town shopping malls have killed so many smaller shops. I'd like to see more local shops, but I
often go to the out of town shops so I'm not really helping.

Is it better to go shopping with friends or alone?

For me, alone, because shopping is stressful and I just want to get in and out of the shop. But going
with friends is good when you buy clothes because you need an honest opinion.

Some people say that shopping ins a leisure activity nowadays. What do you think?

Yes, it's true in many ways. Shops are designed to be a fun event, not just for buying things. You
can have a drink, sit down on comfy sofas, browse for a long time. I know a lot of young people go
to the mall the way I used to go to the park. They stay there the whole day. So yes, for some people
it's a hobby.

Do you think that advertising encourages people to spend too much money?

Yes of course! They really know how to get into people's heads and they are experts in making us
spend more money. But I think we have to take responsibility, too. Just because we see something
shiny doesn't mean we should buy it!
TV AND FILMS

Is watching TV the best way for people to spend their free time?

People know what they want and if they want to watch TV that's okay with me. I think there are
better things to do, but sometimes you need some easy, relaxing time and that's where TV is great.

What kind of TV programmes do you like best?

I really like BBC documentaries about animals. How do they get so close to the animals? It's always
fascinating and the quality of the show is so high. It looks great on my big TV.

Some people have more than one television in their home. Do you think this is a good idea?

I don't like telling people what to do. Maybe they have one television in the living room and one in
the bedroom. If they like falling asleep with the TV on, what's the problem? Maybe it's a problem to
have two TVs if it stops people from hanging out in the same room. Maybe in that situation you talk
with your family less.

Do you think children generally watch too much television in your country?

It's hard to say how much is good and how much is bad. If the parents are happy with how much TV
the children watch then it's okay. The problem is when parents are too tired or busy to talk to their
children and they turn the TV on. Television is not a parent!

Is television the best way of following the news in the world?

Definitely not! TV stations are owned by rich men who want you to think a certain way. They choose
the news we see. The internet is better, but you have to look at a few different sites to get a
balanced view of events.

Do you think watching TV is a good way to learn a language?

It's better than nothing but the problem is people think they can turn the TV on and start learning. I
don't think that's how it works. You have to notice the words and the grammar they are using in the
TV show. You think 'oh, that's the present perfect, I wonder why they used it in this situation?' If you
do that then the TV can be helpful.

What sort of films do you never watch?

I never watch horror movies and I don't understand why other people like them! Why do you want to
be scared? Plus I have nightmares and feel weird the next day. It's not something I like at all.

Are there any films that you’d like to see again?

The other day I watched Frozen and cried like a little baby. I'll watch that one again. But the film I
watch whenever it is on is Die Hard - it's the perfect Christmas movie.

Would you prefer to be in a film or behind the camera?

What a question! I'm not good at acting and I like bossing people around, so I would rather be a
director than a movie star. I'm sure it's harder than it looks though. Most movies are terrible so being
a director must be hard work.

How important do you think it is to watch films in English?

It's not important at all, but I like movies and I like watching them in the original language. I find
American movies easier to understand than British ones, but I prefer British English.

What can you learn about a country’s culture by watching films from that country?

You can learn some things, basic things, but if you really want to learn about a country the best way
is to talk to people from that country. Or you could combine the two, and talk to people from a
country about films from that country!

THANK YOU. THAT IS THE END OF THE TEST.

4. Useful Language for Part 4

I've created an article with lots of phrases that are good to know in this part of the exam. Study the
list, learn a few phrases, use them in the exam. Easy!

Useful Phrases for Speaking Test Part 4

Useful phrases for the last part of the First Certificate speaking test, with some examples of how to
use them.

Another collection of handy phrases to use in the speaking test.

BUYING TIME

I've never really thought about that, but...

What a good question!

That's a good question.

That's an interesting question.

Oh! Let me think. Well, ...

“Why do you think many American people vote for Donald Trump?”

“That’s a very interesting question. Let me think... perhaps it’s because he has magnificent hair.”

GIVING YOUR OPINION

What I think is that...

In my opinion, ...

It's clear to me that...

One thing I'm sure of is...

I might be wrong but ...

I'm no expert but...

“Do you think it’s useful to have a careers day in school?”

“It’s clear to me that young people need help choosing a career, so a careers day might be good for
them. I’m no expert but I’m sure those days have helped a lot of people get ideas for the future.”

GIVING REASONS FOR YOUR OPINIONS

... because ....

... so it's obvious that...

... That means...

“What things do you need to think about when choosing a career?”

“The first thing is money. That means knowing how much you will be paid in the career you choose.”

ADDING REASONS

Another thing is...

Apart from that, ...

As well as that, ...

Just as importantly, ...

There's also the fact that...

And don't forget...

“Just as importantly, you have to choose a career with work that you enjoy.”

ASKING YOUR SPEAKING PARTNER

What do you think, Jack?

Don't you agree?

Do you have anything to say about that?

Jack, do you have anything to add to that?

Did I forget anything?

INTERRUPTING POLITELY

Do you mind if I add something?

I'd like to comment on that.

If I could just make a point.

TRYING TO CHANGE AN OPINION

But don't you think that...

Yes, but isn't it true that...

Okay, but on the other hand...

Maybe there's another way to think about it.

You're partly right, but...

“I think money isn’t the most important thing when you choose a career. The most important thing is
to have fun every day.”

“You’re partly right, but if you want a nice flat or if you have a family, you have to think about how
much money the job pays. Don’t you think?”

Do you know any other useful phrases that should be added to the list? Let us know in the
comments!

Your Questions Answered

Q - What is an interlocutor? It says that in my FCE coursebook.

A - That's the examiner.

Q - Do I need to have a British accent? Cambridge is in Britain, right?

A - Cambridge is in Britain but an American accent is just fine. ANY accent is fine as long as you
speak clearly and you are understandable.