PET
Speaking Reference
What to expect in the exam
• It lasts 10-12 minutes.
• Sometimes it is on a different day from the written papers.
• You normally do it in pairs.
• There are two examiners:one speaks to you and the other
just listens.
• In Parts 1 and 3, you talk on your own.
In Parts 2 and 4, you talk with your partner, not the
examiner.
• You are not given time during the exam to make notes or
think about your answer.
• Paper 3 is 25% of the marks for the whole PET exam.
Part 1
• The examiner asks you some simple questions
about yourself.
• You will be asked to spell a word such as your
name or country.
• Questions may be about your life at present,
things you’ve done in the past or plans for the
future.
• You may also be asked about your interests,
your likes and dislikes, your opinions…
How to do Part 1
• If you don’t undestand something, politely ask the
examiner to repeat it. (sorry, I didn’t catch that/could
you say that again, please?/could you repeat that,
please?)
• Say more than just yes or no in your answers.
• Speak clearly and loudly enough for the examiners
and the other candidate to hear you.
• Use a range of grammatical structures, including verb
tenses.
• Try to use as wide a range of vocabulary as you can.
• Phase 1
• Examiner
•
• Good morning / afternoon / evening.
• Can I have your mark sheets, please?
•
• (Hand over the mark sheets to the Assessor.)
•
• I’m ………… and this is ………… .
• He / she is just going to listen to us.
•
• Now, what’s your name?
• Thank you.
•
• And what’s your name?
• Thank you.
•
•
•
• Candidate B, what’s your surname?
• How do you spell it?
•
• Thank you.
•
• And, Candidate A, what’s your surname?
• How do you spell it?
•
• Thank you.
• School-age students
• Do you study English at school?
• Do you like it?
• Where do you live / come from?
• Thank you.
•
• (Repeat for Candidate B.)
•
• Phase 2
• Examiner
• (Select one or more questions from the list to ask each candidate. Use candidates’ names throughout. Ask Candidate B
first.)
Back-up prompts
• Do you enjoy studying English? Why (not)?
•
• Do you think that English will be useful for you in the future?
•
• What did you do yesterday evening / last weekend?
•
• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
• What’s your favourite school subject?
• Tell us about your English teacher.
• Tell us about your family.
• Do you have brothers and sisters?
•
•
• Thank you.
•
•
•
Part 2
• The examiner describes a situation and asks
you and the other candidate to talk about it
together.
• There is a large page with pictures on it to help
you with some ideas.
• You give your own opinions about an imaginary
situation-it isn’t a role-play.
• You keep talking together until the examiner
tells you to stop.
Part 2 tests your ability to
Discuss a situation, taking turns with the other
person.
Do things such as make suggestions, agree or
disagree and give reasons.
Shall I start, (or Yes, why not?
will you?) Yes, please.
Would you like
to start, (or shall Of course, please
I?) start!
TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT EACH PICTURE IN
TURN, REPLYING TO WHAT YOUR PARTNER
SAYS AND GIVING REASONS FOR YOUR OWN
SUGGESTIONS, OPINIONS AND
PREFERENCES. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO AGREE
OR DISAGREE (POLITELY) WITH WHAT HE OR
SHE SAYS. Created by
MAKING SUGGESTIONS
AGREEING WITH
SUGGESTIONS
How/What That’s a good
about….? point!/That
We could/she sounds good.
could….. What do you
think of….?
That’s a Let’s…./What
(very)good if…?
idea!
Yes, I
Perhaps we completely
should…? agree with you!
….would be useful.
Do you agree? Yes, that’s true! I
So shall take your point.
we…..,then? Created by
DISAGREEING POLITELY
WITH SUGGESTIONS
I’m afraid I have
I think it might
to disagree with
be better to…
you there..
I think I’d I’m not so keen
rather… on…..
You may be
I take your right, but….
point but….
I see what you I’m not so sure
mean, but don’t about that
you think..? Created by
GIVING REASONS
…because… For one thing….
The thing is…
I think the Yes, but isn’it
problem is that… true that..?
Created by
MAKE THE CONVERSATION
ALONG QUICKLY:
What do you
think of this one? Shall we go on to
the next one?
CONCLUDING
OK. Which do
you think would OK, we agree.
be the best? That’s the one
we’ll choose…
Shall we go for
that one?
So which shall
Right, let’s go for
we choose,
that one.
then?
Created by
PART 3
• THE EXAMINER INTRODUCES THE TOPIC
(PEOPLE AT WORK) AND ASKS BOTH
CANDIDATES TO TALK IN TURN ABOUT A
COLOUR PHOTOGRAPH FOR ABOUT 1
MINUTE.
• THE EXAMINER STOPS CANDIDATES AFTER A
MINUTE.
• EACH CANDIDATE HAS A DIFFERENT
PHOTOGRAPH TO TALK ABOUT.
WAYS OF TALKING ABOUT THE
PHOTOGRAPHS
• In this photo I can see…
• It looks like+noun/It looks+adjective..
• It could/might be….
• There seems/appears to be…
TRY TO SAY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT THE
PHOTO - WHERE IT IS, WHAT’S HAPPENING,
WHERE THINGS ARE, WHAT’S THE WEATHER
LIKE, THE TIME OF THE DAY.
Describing photos. Think about the
following:
• Who are the people?
• Where are they?
• What are they doing?
• Why are they doing this?
• What are they wearing?
• What can you see in the background?
• What’s the weather like?
• What season is it?
Part 4
• The examiner will ask you to have a general
conversation with your partner about a topic
which is connected to the photographs you
both described in part 3.
• In this general conversation, you will need to
talk about your own likes and dislikes,
experiences and opinions and ask your
partner about his/hers.
Part 4
• You will usually need to consider two parts in your discussion,
e.g. I’d like you to talk together about the types of television
programmes you like to watch and when you like to watch
them.
• Turn your chair to face your partner.
• Begin the conversation by talking about one part of the
question but remember to invite your partner to join. E.g. What
do you think?
• Listen carefully to what your partner says and reply in a suitable
way, e.g. I’m not so sure, I …
• After three minutes the examiner will stop you by saying: Thank
you. That’s the end of the test.
What’s your take on How do you feel about
this? this?
What are your
thoughts on this?
How about/What Where do you stand
about…? on this?
Created by
How about/What I’m not so keen on ….
about…?
That’s a good point!
You’re absolutely right.
I take your point but…
I was just going to say
that.
We see eye to eye.
I’m not so/really sure Created by
about that! Me too/Me neither.
So am/do/can I.
Neither am/can/do I.
