Part 1: Probable questions
Going out: How often do you go to the cinema/theatre/musical? Which do you prefer?
What was the last film you saw? Is there a film you would like to see?
Food: How often do you eat out? Do you like to cook? Would you prefer to eat out or stay
at home? What kind of food do you usually eat?
Free time: How do you like to spend your free time? What TV programmes do you watch?
How much TV do you watch? Do you use the internet much?
Tenses: What are you going to do next weekend? What did you do last weekend? What do
you normally do at the weekend? What did you do your last birthday?
Hobbies / Sports: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? Do you play any sports?
How often do you do it? What are the benefits of doing sport? Do you read any
books/magazines? What was the last book you read? What was it about?
Studies: Why did you choose to study English? Are you currently studying English?
How long have you been studying? Did you go to university? What did you study? Why are
you taking the FCE?
Travelling: Is tourism a good or bad thing? Could you live in another country for the rest of
your life? Have you ever got lost while traveling? Would you rather go to crowded or
secluded area?
Part 2: Useful vocabulary:
Comments on the first image (with a speculation)
In the first picture I can see
In this picture there are/is
Looking at the first picture I can see
In the background / foreground we see
Which might indicate/show
They may be having/playing/working…
Maybe the reason they are … is because ….
It must be …. (to say that something is certainly true)
It might (not) be … (to say that it’s a possibility)
It can’t be … (to say that it isn’t true)
Other ways of speculating: Looks as if / though + noun phrase
There seem/ seems to be + noun
Comparison/contrast to the second image and speculate
Whereas in the second picture
However in the second picture
Similarly in the second picture
They look/ they might be feeling
Both pictures depict / show …
In this one … and in the other one …
I think that in both pictures people look / are feeling …
Neither of them …
Highlighting difference
On the one hand, on the other hand …
The principal difference between these images is
The main focus of the first image is…whereas
Unlike …, this looks like
After looking at these images, the biggest difference is
In contrast
Answer the question
In regards to the question
Concerning the question
The main theme is…. And consequently…
Talking about preferences and personal opinions
I think I’d prefer …. As
Personally, I …
If I had to choose I would …
It’s very hard to say, but ..
Part 3: Key expressions:
What do you think?
What are your views on?
I’m not sure I agree
I have some doubts as to whether….
I get your point but…
I guess sometimes
I actually have no idea, I’ll take your word for it!
Could you elaborate?
Let me get this right? You think…..
Give me a sec
Just a moment
I’m sorry I didn’t catch that
Great point, but
Fair enough
You may be right actually
Apparently
According to….
Perhaps but…
Examiner: In this part of the test, I’m going to give you each two photographs and I’d like
you to speak about your photographs on your own for a minute and also answer a short
question about your partner’s photo.
So Candidate A, it’s your turn first. Here are your photos. They show people who have
just moved into new flats.
I’d like you to compare the photographs and tell me the advantages and disadvantages
of living alone or with other people.
Candidate A speaks… 1 minute later.
Examiner: Thank you. Now, Candidate B – Would you prefer to live alone or with other
people –20 seconds.
_________________________________________________________________________
____
Examiner: Thank you, now Candidate B, here are your photographs. They show two
different methods of study.
I’d like you to compare the photographs and tell me the differences between studying
alone and studying with other people.
Alright?
Candidate B speaks… 1 minute later.
Thank you. Now, Candidate A – Which method do you prefer? -20 seconds
Thank you.
Do you use social media?
Do you consider social media essential to daily communication?
What is the primary function of social media?
Does it have a negative impact on society?
Should children be allowed to use social media?
Is there an age when you are too old or too young to use it?
Should people try and limit their access to social media?
Would you consider it a distraction or even a hindrance in school?
Should teachers encourage or disparage the use of communicating via Facebook etc.?
Why/ Why not?
