CAE

Speaking Paper

Parts 3 & 4

Source: CAE Practice Tests (HEINLE)

Practice Tests

Part 3 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes (5 minutes for groups of three).

Your pictures show aspects of modern times.

Talk to each other about which two of these pictures you would choose to illustrate that modern life has both advantages and disadvantages.

What aspects of modern life do these pictures show?Which two would you choose to illustrate that modern life has both advantages and disadvantages?

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

•Which aspects of life in the past, which no longer exist, do you think were positive? Could they be revived? (Why? / Why not?)•Should developments in technology be restricted in any way? (Why? / Why not?)•What sort of difficulties do young people face today that previous generations did not have to confront, or not to the same extent?•Why do older people sometimes become nostalgic about the past?

Part 3 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes (5 minutes for groups of three).

Your pictures show how motivation is part of modern life.

First, talk to each other about the importance of motivation in each of these situations, and then decide in which one a powerful sense of motivation can have a positive, and in which a negative effect.

How important is motivation in these situations?In which situation might motivation have a positive effect and in which one might it have a negative effect?

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

•When do you think it is important for people to be motivated? Are there any times when being motivated is undesirable?•It is often said that motivation is important in education. Do you agree? (Why? / Why not?)•What factors motivate people to achieve something? Are these factors internal or external?•How can people motivate themselves?

Part 3 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes (5 minutes for groups of three).

Your pictures show examples of pride.

Talk to each other about the different sorts of pride suggested by these pictures, and then decide which two pictures you would choose to illustrate that pride has different forms.

In what way are the people proud?Which two pictures would you choose to show that pride has different forms?

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

•When was the last time you felt proud of something you had achieved?•Do you think there are forms of pride that can be harmful?•Would someone who never felt proud of himself or herself be unhappy?•Are there times when you feel proud of other people? Can you give an example?

Part 3 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes (5 minutes for groups of three).

Your pictures show different forms of transport in a certain city.

The tourist board in this city is publishing a brochure to attract visitors, and it has been decided to put three photographs on the cover, showing different forms of public transport. Which three photographs should be used in order to give that this is an interesting city to visit?

Which three photographs should be used on the front cover of a tourist brochure in order to give the impression that this is an interesting city to visit?

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

•Should private cars be banned from city centres? (Why / Why not?)•What do you think could be done in your area to encourage people to use public transport?•Some cities encourage people to take passengers in their cars to reduce congestion. Do you think this is a good idea, and would it work in your area? (Why / Why not?)

Part 3 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes (5 minutes for groups of three).

Your pictures show the need for time management.

Talk to each other about how these problems could be helped by better time management, and then decide which situation would benefit most and which would benefit least from better time management.

How could these problems be helped by better time management?Which situation would benefit most and which would benefit least from better time management?

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

•Do you think it is a problem if someone is often late for appointments and meetings? (Why / Why not?)•Which aspects of modern life where time is managed badly do you find most annoying?•Does modern life make us too anxious about puntuality? (Why / Why not?)•When was the last time you were late, and what caused you to be late?

Part 3 3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)

Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about three minutes (5 minutes for groups of three).

Your pictures show examples of outward appearance people present to the world.

Talk to each other about what each person is expressing by his or her appearance, and then decide which two pictures you would choose to demonstrate the wide variety of messages that appearance can give out.

What is each person expressing by his or her appearance?Which two pictures would you choose to illustrate the wide variety of messages that appearance can give out?

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

•In what sort of situations do you think someone’s appearance is most important?•Do you think it is possible to ignore fashion? (Why? / Why not?)•To what extent do you judge a person by his or her appearance?•How important is appearance to someone who cares what other people think of them?

Source: CAE Practice Tests (HEINLE)