C1 ADVANCED COLLABORATIVE TASKS

The third part of the CAE exam is based on interaction with your partner. You need to focus on developing a simple, yet fluent conversation with your partner, in which, the examiner will assess your ability to “initiate and respond, develop a topic, negotiate an outcome”.

There are some simple things that you can do to make this part of the exam a lot easier:

1. Practice question formation and ask all types of questions (short, full, negative, question tags)
2. Context. If you give the situation a context it is much easier to discuss. Make the situation personal and act it out like a role-play.
3. Hypothetical tenses. Use hypothetical grammar forms (2nd and 3rd conditional, wish, if only) to help develop the content.
4. Make your points and give reasons for your answers. It is important to use examples like past experiences to reinforce your opinions.
5. Disagree! At the beginning, it is much easier if you purposely disagree with your partner. See phrases for agreement and disagreement (HERE)

This part of the exam is informal. You can interrupt and use colloquial forms to make your points. Try to relax and enjoy this part of the exam. If it seems like a natural conversation with a friend, it will get a much better grade. This part of the exam is not concerned with accuracy, but interaction and fluency. You want the examiner to think that you speak English on a daily basis and that you enjoy using it.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Interactive communication

Interacts with ease, linking contributions to those of other speakers. Widens the scope of the interaction and negotiates towards an outcome. This means that the candidate can both interact with their partner and the interlocutor with ease. All factors contribute to this part of the evaluation, including body language, eagerness to speak and attitude. You must make sure that you have practiced the exam format and that you complete each task to the required level.

CHECK OUT OUR POST ON THE C1 ADVANCED SPEAKING EXAM (HERE)

HOW IT WORKS:

Discuss the situation with your partner for two minutes, then you will have one minute to give a conclusion. You should focus your attention on these grammar points: cleft sentences, conditionals, modal verbs, wish and relative clauses

EXAM QUESTION:

Practice this question with a partner and try to come to a conclusion

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about life events

• moving out of the family home
• having a kid
• starting a new job
• going to university
• making a new friend

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

1. Some people say that humans hate change. What do you think?
2. Do you prefer to stick to the same activities or to mix it up?
3. What is the most interesting event that changed your life for the better?
4. What is the most dramatic event that changed your life for the worse?
5. Who has had the biggest influence on the way you lead your life?

DOWNLOAD THIS QUESTION HERE

EXAM QUESTION:

Practice this question with a partner and try to come to a conclusion

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about people’s career choices

• Financial constraints
• time
• location
• family values 
• peer pressure

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

1. Some people say that money is all that matters in making a choice about your career. Would you agree?
2. Do you let your friends and family influence your life decisions?
3. Who has had the biggest impact on helping you to decide what you want to do for a living?
4. How far do you agree that all jobs can be worthwhile of you do them well?
5. Would you prefer to be good at a mediocre job or be mediocre at an important job?

DOWNLOAD THIS QUESTION IN PDF HERE

EXAM QUESTION:

Practice this question with a partner and try to come to a conclusion

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about relationships and family related issues

• Siblings
• Housemates
• Workmates
• Neighbours
• Parents and teenage offspring

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

1. Some people say that it is tough to work with friends or family. Do you have a similar opinion?
2. Do you prefer spending time with friends or family when you want to have a good time?
3. Your siblings are the most important people in your life and those that are most likely to stick by you during times of trouble. Has this been your experience?
4. Your parents should guide you to make good decisions, not try to be your friends. Do you agree?
5. Do you share the opinion that blood is thicker than water and your family is the most important thing in life?

DOWNLOAD THIS QUESTION IN PDF HERE

EXAM QUESTION:

Practice this question with a partner and try to come to a conclusion

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about what would make the world a better place

• Effective leadership
• An end to world poverty and hunger
• An end to war
• Protecting endangered wildlife 
• Scientific research

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

1. Some people seem to believe that war is necessary. Do you agree?
2. Is our democratic political system broken and destined to failure?
3. Who holds the key to making the world a better place?
4. Most people seem to think that the world isn’t fair. What do you reckon?
5. Would you prefer to conserve the environment or improve our quality of life?

DOWNLOAD THIS QUESTION IN PDF HERE

EXAM QUESTION:

Practice this question with a partner and try to come to a conclusion

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about human advancement and standard of living

• Transportation
• Energy production
• Communication
• Entertainment
• Health and well-being

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

1. In which ways has technology made our lives easier?
2. How far would you say that technology has made us negative and superficial?
3. Some people say that humans are doomed as they cannot do anything in moderation. Do you agree?
4. Do you think that the way we are communication nowadays is becoming trivial?
5. Is it easier to keep amused nowadays than it was in the past?

DOWNLOAD THIS QUESTION IN PDF HERE

EXAM QUESTION:

Practice this question with a partner and try to come to a conclusion

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about consumerism and our possessions

• Mobile/cell phone
• Credit card
• Computer
• Private transportation (car)
• Stylish clothing

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

1. For some reason, many people keep trying to buy happiness. Do you think this is possible?
2. Would you prefer to have spare money or a loving family?
3. Why are some people so obsessed with shopping and purchasing things they don’t need?
4. What things would you struggle to live without?
5. How can our attachment to possessions cause troubles in our personal relationships?

DOWNLOAD THIS QUESTION IN PDF HERE

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about friendships

• Correspondents
• Social Networks
• Finding a hobby in common
• Arranging events
• Videocalls

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

• What makes keeping close friends so important?
• Some people say you are lucky to have just a hand full of close friends in your life. What do you think?
• Would you rather have plenty of friends or just a few close ones?
• Why do some people value their friends over their family members?
• What kinds of experiences are great for making friends?

DOWNLOAD THIS TASK IN PDF HERE

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to talk about opportunity and chance

• Luck
• Confidence
• Contacts
• Perseverance
• support

Discuss the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

• Does luck exist or do we make our own luck?
• Is there anything that you stand no chance of achieving?
• Why is it so awkward to set goals in life?
• Could you shed some light on what you dream to achieve in life?
• How far do you agree with the belief that we control little in our life and everything happens for a reason?

DOWNLOAD THIS TASK IN PDF HERE

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

Here are some ideas for you to talk about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Now. I’d like you to social issues

What is then biggest challenge that we face when it comes to standard of living?

• crime and disorder
• overpopulation
• the rise in the cost of living
• environmental issues
• depression and stress

Now, you have about one minute to decide what the greatest issue is.

Discuss these questions:

• To what extent is education the key to social change?
• Some people say that we suffer more stress that in the past. Would you agree?
• How concerned are you about climate change?
• Is crime something that affects your day to day?
• Do you think the aging population will cause issues in the future?

DOWNLOAD THIS IN PDF HERE

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.

I’d like you to imagine that you are talking about healthy diets. Some people think it is a good idea to follow a healthy diet and others disagree. Here are some of the ideas you could be thinking about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.

Why might it be a good idea to stick to a healthy diet these days?

• cost
• fitness
• illnesses
• mood
• education

Now, talk to each other about why people should follow a balanced diet.

…………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you. Now you have about a minute to decide which is the most important reason to stick to a healthy diet.

…………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you.

Discuss these questions:

• Do you stick to a healthy diet?
• Some people say that you can compensate a poor diet with exercise. Would you agree?
• How come some people eat unhealthily?
• Do people know enough about nutrition these days?
• Why do some companies encourage us to eat unhealthy food?

DOWNLOAD THIS IN PDF HERE

Click here to find OUR KEY PHRASE LIST for better interactive communication

C1 ADVANCED: COLLABORATIVE TASK ABOUT FOOD