FCE — Speaking Practice 1

Speaking can't be auto-graded the way Reading or Listening can — this is a real practice set for two students (or a student and teacher) to run together, with the examiner's actual questions and timing.

For the teacher/examiner: run this with a timer. Part 2 needs two photos on a related theme — use your own photos, a magazine, or a phone search matching each prompt below; the exact images don't matter as much as the theme and the language they push students to use (speculation, comparison, description).

Part 1 · Interview · 2 minutes

Getting to know you

The examiner asks each candidate a few personal questions in turn. Answer naturally in 2-3 sentences — not one word, not a speech.

Tell us about a hobby you really enjoy doing.
What kind of music do you like listening to?
Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema? Why?
What is your favourite time of the year, and why?

Part 2 · Long turn · ~3 minutes total

Different kinds of travel

Candidate A — compare these two photos of people travelling, saying what the situations have in common and what the people might be enjoying about travelling in this way. You have about a minute.

Photo 1: a group of friends laughing while riding in a comfortable train carriage

Photo 2: a single person riding a bicycle along a quiet country road with a backpack

Candidate B — after A finishes, you have about 30 seconds: which of these ways of travelling would you prefer?

Then switch roles with a new photo set:

Photo 1: a family setting up a tent at a busy campsite

Photo 2: people checking into a large, modern hotel

Candidate B — compare these two photos of people staying in different places on holiday, saying what the situations have in common and why the people might have chosen these places. You have about a minute.

Candidate A — after B finishes, you have about 30 seconds: do you prefer relaxing holidays or active ones?

Candidate A (1 min) → Candidate B (30 sec) · Candidate B (1 min) → Candidate A (30 sec)

Part 3 · Collaborative task · 3 minutes

Improving a local park

The examiner gives you a question and some ideas to discuss. Talk together about the different ideas for about 2 minutes.

How would these ideas improve a local park for everyone?

building a cafe

adding more sports facilities

creating a children's play area

planting more trees and flowers

putting on outdoor concerts

Now you have about 1 minute to decide which two ideas would be the most popular with local people.

Part 4 · Discussion · 4 minutes

Further discussion

The examiner will ask you some questions related to the topic of parks and free time. Discuss them together, giving your opinions and reasons.

Why do you think some people prefer spending their free time outdoors rather than indoors?
Do you think it's important for towns and cities to have green spaces? (Why? / Why not?)
Some people say young people don't spend enough time outdoors these days. Do you agree?
What do you think is the best way to encourage people to exercise more outside?

FCE Speaking Practice 1

Getting to know you

Different kinds of travel

Improving a local park

Further discussion