This post offers English learners 20 examples of collaborative task (Part 3) and the discussion (Part 4) that are in the B2 FIRST. These are the 3rd and 4th tasks in the speaking exam (HERE) that learners must carry out.
In this part of the exam the two candidates are to speak together about a situation for about two minutes. They should discuss the situation and take into account all of the 5 options provided. In the end they have about one minute to come to a conclusion (agree or disagree HERE). The way this exercise is assessed is simple (see the link for more details HERE).
The interlocutor will describe the task and then the candidates have about 15 seconds to look at the information, then the should debate the topic for about 2-3 minutes. The examiners are not involved in the task and the candidates are to interact independently until the examiner says “thank you”.
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 phones. Here are some of the ideas you might thinking about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.
| How easy might it be to live without a mobile? |
- friendship
- work
- education
- entertainment
- travel
Now, talk to each other about if mobiles are really necessary nowadays.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Thank you. Now you have about a minute to decide which is the best use of mobiles.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Thank you.
Now, discuss these questions, in order, as appropriate:
- Is it essential to own a phone?
- Why do we spend an average of 4 hours a day using our phones?
- What might be the appeal of not owning a phone?
- What do people usually use their phones for?
- Some people say that phones are ruining our lives. What do you think?
