What do you need to do?

In the final parts of the B1 speaking test, you need to work with your partner to have a conversation about a topic (education, travel, work, free time etc). This part is divided into two different sections, a collaborative task and a discussion, but the topic is the same.

Collaborative task (part) 3: in this part of the exam you need to have a conversation with your partner for 2-3 minutes. You need to suggest the different options, give your opinion about the options, develop the conversation (make it more interesting) and come to a conclusion. To DEVELOP the conversation, you need to offer extra information about the topic. The best way to do it is with the 1^st or 2^nd conditional. For example, “If we buy a laptop for our friends, she can surf the internet and we can chat on Skype”. It is also important to be able to express negative opinions and also to agree and disagree. This helps you to find a conclusion and put an end to the conversation.

Discussion (Part 4)

In this part of the speaking exam you need to discuss the topic given for about 4 minutes. It is important to talk to your partner about your opinions and experiences. Ask your partner questions to encourage them to speak and help them if they have problems. It needs to be an interesting discussion so it is important to give it a good context and try to speak as if you were speaking to your friend in a natural context. You want to speak for about one minute per question. REMEMBER THAT TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION IS THE KEY!

EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 1

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

A friend of yours wants to learn a new language. 

Here are some suggestions they could think about.

Talk together about the different languages they could try and say which would be the most useful.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• What is the best thing about knowing another language?
• Is it important to have perfect pronunciation?
• Are languages easy to learn?
• Which languages have you already tried to learn?
• What is the best way to learn a language?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 2

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

A friend of yours wants to buy you a gift for your birthday next week.

Here are some suggestions they could think about.

Choose from the different options and decide what you would like most and say why.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• What is the best present you have ever received?
• Do you enjoy giving and receiving presents?
• Have you ever received a gift that you hated?
• When was the last time that you bought a gift for someone?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 3

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

A woman who is always working and only has the weekend free wants to find a way to relax. 

Here are some things they could do to disconnect.

talk together about the different things she could do in order to feel better, and say which would be best. 

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• What do you usually do in your free time?
• What is the best way to relax?
• How often do you do exercise?
• Are you keen on reading books to relax?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 4

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

A young person wants to get their ideal job and is thinking of the best way to do it. 

Here are some things they could do to prepare themselves.

Talk together about the different things they could do in order to have a good chance of getting a job, and say which would be best.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• What is your ideal job and why?
• Is it important to go to university to get a job?
• Why do many young people need to go to another country to work?
• What types of jobs are popular in your country?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 5

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

You are worried that your friend spends too much time on his phone and using technology and you want them to spend more time outdoors.

Here are some things they could do outdoors.

Talk together about the different things they could do in order to spend more time outside, and say which would be best.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• Is it easy to live without a phone?
• Why do people use their phones so much?
• Do you prefer using technology or doing other things?
• Where do you spend most of your free time?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 6

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

You and your friends want to spend some time together, but the weather is really bad. What kind of indoor activities interest you?

Here are some things you could do indoors.

Talk together about the different things to do in order to spend more time inside, and say which would be best.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• What do you normally do at home?
• Do you prefer being indoors or outdoors?
• Do you dislike any indoor activities?
• Who do you spend most of your time at home with?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 7

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

You want to do something exciting on a hot summer day, but you don’t have a lot of money to spend. 

Here are some of the things you can choose from.

Which activity would you prefer to do and why?

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• Is it important to spend a lot of money when you go out?
• Can you have fun without spending money?
• Are museums and art galeries free in your country?
• What is the most interesting free activity available?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 8

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

Your friends want to arrange an end of year trip and they want some advice on where to go.

Here are some ideas of where they could visit.

Talk together about the different places you could all visit for an end of year trip, and say which would be best.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• Where do you normally go on holiday?
• Do you prefer to go abroad or sTay in your own country?
• What do you normally do when you are on holiday?
• Who do you normally go with?
• What is your favourite place you have ever visited?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 9

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

You are going on vacation and you only have 4 days to do everything that you want, how will you spend your last day.

Here are some ideas of things you could do on the last day.

Talk together about the different things you could do at the end of your trip, and say which would be best.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• Are you keen on sightseeing?
• What can you learn from visiting museums and art galleries?
• Is it important to try the local food when you are on holiday?
• Do you think you should learn some of the local language when you are in a different country?
• What is the best way to have a good experience while abroad?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 10

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

You are trying to learn a foreign language and you want some advice about how to learn well.

Here are some ideas of things you could do to learn better.

Talk together about the different things you could do to improve the language, and say which would be best.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate.

• Why are you learning English?
• Are you fond of learning foreign languages?
• Do you find them easy to learn?
• Do you think it is important to learn a language?
• When is the best time to learn, as a child or adult?

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EXAMPLE ACTIVITY 11

Now, in this part of the test you’re going to speak together about something for about two minutes. I’m going to describe a situation to you.

You want to take up a new fitness plan, but you do not have a lot of money to spend. 

Here are some ideas to help you.

You are thinking of the best ways to stay in shape.

All right? Now, talk together.

(2-3 minutes) ………………………………………

Discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate:

• Do you prefer exercising indoors or outdoors?
• Do you find it easier to follow a balanced diet or do regular exercise?
• Who do you normally work out with?
• What are the most popular ways to stay fit in your country?
• What kinds of sports can you do where you live?

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