Speaking
- 1 reading text
Work with a partner. One of you is the examiner and reads the questions, the other answers. Time each part. Then change roles.
Part 1, four to five minutes
- Let's talk about where you live. Do you live in a house or a flat? What do you like most about it? Is it a good area for young people? Would you like to live somewhere else in the future?
- Now let's talk about study. What subject do you enjoy most at school? Why? Has that changed since you were younger? What do you plan to study after school?
- Let's move on to free time. What do you usually do at the weekend? Do you prefer to spend time indoors or outdoors? Has the way you spend your free time changed in the last few years?
Part 2, three to four minutes
Describe a place you go to in order to concentrate.
You should say:
• where it is
• when you go there
• what you do there
and explain why you are able to concentrate in that place.
You have one minute to prepare. You may make notes.
You should speak for one to two minutes.
Part 3, four to five minutes
- Concentration and modern life: Do you think people find it harder to concentrate now than in the past? Why might that be? What effect does this have on the way people work?
- Places and behaviour: How much does the place someone is in affect how well they work? Should schools design classrooms differently? Are public libraries still important?
- The future: Do you think people will work more from home in future? What would be lost if offices disappeared? How might schools change in the next twenty years?
You cannot give yourself an accurate band, but you can check the things that are mechanical. For Task 1: did you cover all three bullet points, reach 150 words, and match your opening to your closing? For Task 2: did you state a position in the introduction, keep it in the conclusion, write four paragraphs, and reach 250 words? Every yes is a mark protected. Then give the writing to your teacher for the judgements you cannot make yourself.