FCE SPEAKING EXAM TIPS

 Speak slowly to give yourself time

to think!
 DON’T
DESCRIBE the
pictures in Part
2!
Make eye
contact!

Learn useful
expressions for Be sure to
speculating, answer the
comparing etc. question!

Ms. Meissa Z.
 FCE SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

PART 1

I’m speaking English for my own satisfaction.

I’m speaking English in order to improve my employment
prospects.
That’s a good question …
It’s funny you should ask …
Well, to cut a long story short …
Well, to be honest …
It’s difficult to say …
Let me think …
Well, let me see …
That’s a tricky one …
That’s an interesting question …
Where should I start …

… another point would be …

… and I should add that …

Ms. Meissa Z.
 FCE SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

PART 2 (1 minute to contrast & compare a photo)

(A SUGGESTED SIMPLE STRUCTURE TO USE)

Introduction:
As we can see, in Picture 1 …. and in Picture 2 ……

Compare/Contrast:
Both pictures are quite similar in that they show (similarities) …,
however, picture 1 (differences) … whereas picture 2 (differences) …

Conclusion:
To answer the question …

(It’s important to KEEP TALKING so here is an idea if you have

time left over (depending on the photo) state your preference
or say what you think about a situation in one of the photos)

Ms. Meissa Z.
 FCE SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

PART 2 Continued Similarities

Contrasting In both pictures we can see …

In picture 1 we can see … Both pictures show …

whereas/while/however in picture
2… There is/are … in both pictures.

In picture 1 we can see. In Picture 1 shows … and in Picture 2

contrast, picture 2 shows … we can also see …

Picture 1 shows … while in picture … can be seen in both pictures.

2 there is/are …
In the first picture … can be seen,
while the second picture shows …
Both pictures have something in
common; they show …
In picture 1 there is/are …
Similarly, picture 2 shows …

Ms. Meissa Z.
 FCE SPEAKING EXAM
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Reaching a Decision
PART 3/4 (Interactive – 2 Shall we agree on …?
minutes to discuss written Then we’re agreed; …
prompts and 1 minute to arrive at Can we agree on …?
a decision) Are we both agreed on …?
So shall we say …?
Why don’t we go with …
Turn Taking (to begin)
Shall I begin? Expressing your Opinion
May I start? The way I see it …
Would you like to start? If you ask me …
To my way of thinking …
Turn Taking (to change turn)
Shall we move on to …? Inviting a General Opinion
And what about …? What’s your take?
Let’s consider … What do you think?
Why don’t we look at …?
How about …? Inviting Agreement
Let’s take a look at … Don’t you think?
Wouldn’t you agree?
Wouldn’t you say?

Ms. Meissa Z.