CAE

Speaking Paper

Parts 1 & 2

Source: CAE Practice Tests. Heinle (8 tests)

Practice Tests

Part 1 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of 3)

• Where do you both live?• What do you like and dislike about this area?• If you moved to another area, where would you like to live?

Part 2 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of 3)

In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you three pictures. I’d like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner’s pictures.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your pictures. Compare and contrast two of these pictures and say what could have prompted these people to dress in that way. How do you think they are feeling?

(Candidate B), which of these costumes would you feel most comfortable in? (Why?)

Now, (Candidate B), here are your pictures. I’d like you to compare and contrast two of these workplaces and say what advantages and disadvantages you could imagine for them.

(Candidate A), which of these environments would you prefer to work in? (Why?)

Why are the people dressed in this way?How do you think they are feeling?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in these environments?

Part 1 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of 3)

• What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy?• Which sports are popular in your region?• Which sports do you enjoy watching and playing, and which do you find

boring?

Part 2 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of 3)

In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you three pictures. I’d like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner’s pictures.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your pictures. I’d like you to compare and contrast two of these pictures and say what these people could be anticipating that makes them look this way. How do you think they are feeling?

(Candidate B), what sort of things do you anticipate with pleasure?

Now, (Candidate B), here are your pictures. I’d like you to compare and contrast two of these situations and say why you think the people are alone, and how you think they feel.

(Candidate A), when do you enjoy being alone, and when does it disturb you?

What could the people be anticipating?How do you think they are feeling?

Why are the people alone?How do you think they are feeling?

Part 1 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of 3)

• Would you tell me something about the members of your family?• Where are the members of your family from?• Which people from your extended family do you have most contact with?

Part 2 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of 3)

In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you three pictures. I’d like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner’s pictures.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your pictures. Compare and contrast two of them and say why you think the people are leaving and how might they be feeling.

(Candidate B), can you describe a situation when you felt very excited about leaving a place?

Now, (Candidate B), here are your pictures. Compare and contrast two of them and saywhy these people might be tired. What kind of exhaustion, mental or physical, do they feel and why?

(Candidate A), which kind of exhaustion do you find most difficult to get over? Why?

Why might the people be leaving?How might they be feeling?

Why might the people be tired?What kind of exhaustion, mental or physical, is each person feeling, and why?

Part 1 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of 3)

• What do you enjoy doing when you go away for a holiday?• How would you describe the best holiday you have had?• What sorts of things can spoil a holiday for you?

Part 2 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of 3)

In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you three pictures. I’d like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner’s pictures.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your pictures. Compare and contrast two of them and say what kind of training each of these sports requires. What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking part in a team sport, as opposed to an individual sport?

(Candidate B), which of these sports would you find most enjoyable?

Now, (Candidate B), here are your pictures. I’d like you to compare and contrast two of these homes and say what you think would be the advantages of living in each one and what might be the impractical aspects of living there.

(Candidate A), which of these homes do you think is the most practical? (Why?)

What kind of training do these sports require?What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking part in a team sport, as opposed to an individual sport ?

What might be the advantages of living in these places?What might be impractical about living in them?

Part 1 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of 3)

• When and how did you start learning English?• In what ways is knowing a foreign language useful to you now?• How do you expect language skills to be important to you in the future?

Part 2 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of 3)

In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you three pictures. I’d like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner’s pictures.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Compare and contrast two of these pictures. What are the advantages of doing these activities in a group? What might be the negative aspects of these activities?

(Candidate B), in which situations do you cooperate with others as part of a group?

Now, (Candidate B), here are your pictures. Compare and contrast two of them and say what sort of experience you imagine the people have gained and what might be the difficulties of gaining this experience.

(Candidate A), can you think of a situation where you learnt something by going through a difficult experience?

What are the advantages of doing these activities in a group?What might be the negative aspects of these activities?

What sort of experience have the people gained?What might be the difficulties of gaining this experience?

Part 1 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of 3)

• What means of transport did you use to get here today?• What sort of public transport is available in this area?• Which forms of transport do you prefer, and which do you dislike?

Part 2 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of 3)

In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you three pictures. I’d like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner’s pictures.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Compare and contrast two of these pictures and imagine what might be making these people anxious. Which situation do you think is the most stressful?

(Candidate B), which situation would you least like to be in?

Now, (Candidate B), here are your pictures. Compare and contrast two of these pictures and say what you think these people have achieved. How might they be feeling?

(Candidate A), in what situations do you find a sense of achievement most satisfying?

What might be making these people anxious?Which situation is the most stressful?

What have these people achieved?How might they be feeling?

Source: CAE Practice Tests. Heinle