Exam material 502 Speaking Test Parts 3 and 4 7 tests Source: Advanced TRAINER Cambridge and CAE Practice Tests Plus Pearson Second Impression 1 Part 3 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three). Here are different means of transport, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. Now, talk to each other about the advantages and disadvantages of each of these means of transport for holiday travel. Now you have about a minute to decide which of these types of transport will be most popular for holiday travel in the future. Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 2 car train What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these means of transport for holiday travel? motorcycle plane ship Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 3 Part 4 5 minutes (8 minutes for groups of three) •To what extent do you think concerns about the environment should affect people’s transport choices today? •What is your opinion about the provision of public transport in your area? •To what extent do you think the invention of the aeroplane has improved the lives of ordinary people? •Do people really need to travel as much as they do? •Would you agree that travelling to your destination can be one of the most enjoyable parts of your holiday? Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 4 Part 3 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three). Here are different aspects of life, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. Now, talk to each other about how each of these aspects of life has changed over the last seventy years. Now you have about a minute to decide whether they have changed for the better or the worse. Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 5 dancing preparing meals How have each of these aspects of life changed in the last 70 years? industrial labour entertainment writing to people Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 6 Part 4 5 minutes (8 minutes for groups of three) •Whose life do you think has most improved over the last hundred or so of years – men’s or women’s? •Which period in history would you most like to experience? •Which invention of the last century do you think has had the most impact on your own life? •What do you think life would have been like for children in the past compared to now? •In what ways do you think people’s lives will be different from our own in another hundred years’ time? Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 7 Part 3 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three). Here are some situations in which people need to make different decisions, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. Now, talk to each other about why the people need to be making these decisions. Now you have about a minute to decide what the people might be taking into consideration as they make their decisions. Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 8 shopping for clothes a careers fair Why might people need to be making decisions in these situations? hiking along country pathways choosing a dish from a menu deciding on a newborn baby’s name Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 9 Part 4 5 minutes (8 minutes for groups of three) •How important is it to think for a long time before coming to a decision? •What factors do governments have to take into account when making decisions affecting a whole country? •Do you think that parents should help their children make important decisions, even when the children are grown-up? •Do you believe that people really have free will when it comes to making decisions, or are we influenced by factors we’re unaware of? •What sorts of people is it useful to take advice from when making important decisions and why? Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 10 Part 3 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three). Here are different kinds of jobs people do, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. Now, talk to each other about the appeal of each of these jobs. Now you have about a minute to decide which job deserves the highest payment. Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 11 politician surgeon What is the appeal of each of these jobs? football player teacher judge Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 12 Part 4 5 minutes (8 minutes for groups of three) •Do you think it is better to do one job for life or to have a series of different jobs? (Why?) •Do you think it is important to have a career which offers opportunities for promotion? (Why? / Why not?) •Would you say it is better to work for a small or a large organization? (Why?) •Do you think it is true that many people are influenced by the work their parents do when they choose a career? (Why? / Why not?) •What aspects of work are most likely to bring people job satisfaction, in your opinion? (Why?) Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 13 Part 3 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three). Here are different ways of keeping in touch with people, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. Now, talk to each other about which you think is the best way to keep in touch with friends. Now you have about a minute to decide whether you think social networking sites on the Internet will eventually take over all other ways of keeping in touch with friends. Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 14 writing letters face to face Which is the best way to keep in touch with friends? through social networks by telephone by email Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 15 Part 4 5 minutes (8 minutes for groups of three) •Do you think the popularity of the Internet is preventing young people from developing good social skills? •Do you think you actually need to meet someone regularly in order to stay close friends? •What are the qualities you look for in a friend? •To what extent do you feel it is important for friends to share the same values? •What advice could you give someone moving to a new town about making new friends? Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 16 Part 3 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three). Here are some aspects of city life, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. First, talk to each other about what advantage or disadvantage of city life each aspect suggests. Then decide whether you think the advantages of city life outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa. Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 17 cafes and restaurants heavy traffic What advantage or disadvantage of city life does each aspect suggest? nightlife shopping public transport Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 18 Part 4 5 minutes (8 minutes for groups of three) •What can be done to help solve the problems of pollution in modern big cities? •To what extent do you think that people in cities today have lost touch with nature? •People in cities are much less likely to know their neighbours than people who live in the country. In what ways does this affect their lives? •Do you think it is possible for people who live in cities to have a sense of community? •How do children brought up in the city differ from those brought up in the country? Source: Advanced TRAINER. Cambridge (6 tests) 19 Part 3 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three) College life Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three). Here are some aspects of college life that a college has chosen to use in its brochure, and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task. Now, talk to each other about how important each aspect is. Now, you have about a minute to decide which aspect of college life is most important for new students to know about. Source: CAE Practice Tests Plus. Pearson. Second Impression 2008 (Adapted) 20 grants and scholarships attending lectures How important are these aspects of college life? sports facilities doing research individual tutoring Source: CAE Practice Tests Plus. Pearson. Second Impression 2008 (Adapted) 21 Part 4 5 minutes (8 minutes for groups of three) • Which is more important for young people nowadays, going to college or getting a job? • Some people say that students have an easy life. What do you think? • How long do you think a course at college or university should last? • Do you think it’s important to study academic subjects or should students only learn vocational skills? • Who should pay for students doing university courses? • Should everyone have the chance to go to university whatever their age? Source: CAE Practice Tests Plus. Pearson. Second Impression 2008 (Adapted) 22 Source: Advanced TRAINER Cambridge and CAE Practice Tests Plus Pearson Second Impression 2008 23
