SPEAKING Test
Part 3
Task Description
The third part is a discussion of wider issues connected to the topic in Part 2.
Watch the video to see an example from Parts 2 and 3 of the Speaking Test. Note down what happens and read the comments that are provided in the video.
The examiner will ask questions to guide you and may ask you to expand or comment on related themes or compare, contrast or speculate about them. They will interact with you, and may lead the discussion into more abstract or 'difficult' areas towards the end, in order to really challenge your language range and skills. If they do this, you have already done very well, so try not to panic!
Skills Tested
- Continuing a conversation related to the topic you talked about in part two.
- Explaining and justifying your opinions or describing a personal experience.
- Further describing, comparing, contrasting or speculating.
- Fluency, clarity, pronunciation and intonation.
- Accuracy and range of grammatical structures and vocabulary.
What you should do
- The practice you do for Part 2 will stand you in good stead for Part 3 by increasing your speaking confidence and expanding your vocabulary and sentence structure range.
- Try to read an English language newspaper or magazine regularly (e.g. South China morning Post, Time, Newsweek or The Economist, available in CILL or online links below). Notice especially the language used to discuss current affairs topics and give arguments and opinions (e.g. the editorial sections and letters page). This will keep you well informed and improve your grammar and vocabulary, as well as giving you reading practice.
- Try also to watch some English T.V or watch online videos. This will improve your listening skills and build your knowledge of topics that may come up in the speaking or writing papers.
- Choose a topic from Part 2. Think about what kind of questions the examiner could ask related to that topic and decide what your opinion is on any controversial or conversational aspect. It's a good idea to practise with a partner, discussing any issues you can think of in relation to a topic, as the examiner will participate in Part 3 to encourage you to speak.
- Practise using conditional tenses (if...then) and the language of speculation and hypothesis.
Links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/ More English practice from the BBC
http://www.scmp.com The South China Morning Post online.
http://www.economist.com The Economist (British news magazine) online
http://www.newsweek.com Newsweek (U.S magazine) online
http://www.time.com Time (U.S magazine) online