Speaking Success: A Guide to the B2 First (FCE)

The exam’s structure, and all four parts of the Speaking test — practised by Philo and Sophia.

•The Speaking test, at a glance

The B2 First Speaking test lasts 14 minutes and is taken in pairs (occasionally in a group of three), with two examiners present: the Interlocutor, who talks to you and runs the test, and the silent Assessor, who only listens and grades. It has four parts:

1. Interview
2 min
2. Long Turn
4 min
3. Collaborative Task
4 min
4. Discussion
4 min

Speaking is one of four skills tested across the whole B2 First exam (alongside Reading and Use of English, Writing, and Listening) — but the rest of this guide is about Speaking’s own four parts, below.

1Interview (2 minutes)

The examiner asks each of you questions about yourself: your home, your studies or work, your free time, your plans. At B2, examiners want more than a fact: a short answer with a reason, an example, or a comparison.

ExaminerPhilo, do you prefer studying alone or with other people?
PhiloMostly alone, to be honest. I concentrate better in silence, especially when I’m reading something difficult. But before an exam, I find it really useful to test myself with a friend.
ExaminerSophia, what kind of holidays do you enjoy?
SophiaI’d choose a quiet island over a big city every time. I like holidays where I can read, swim and do absolutely nothing for a few days — which is quite rare for me.

Tip

2Long Turn (4 minutes)

Each of you is given two photographs and a question printed above them. You talk on your own for about one minute: compare the two photographs and answer the question. You don’t need to describe everything in them. Your partner then answers a short question about your photographs for about 30 seconds. Then you swap.

Comparing

  • "Both photos show…"
  • "In the first photo…, whereas in the second…"
  • "The main difference is that…"
  • "Unlike the people in the first photo…"

Speculating

  • "They might be…"
  • "It looks as if…"
  • "They must be feeling…"
  • "I’d say that…"

Answering the question

  • "As for why they’re doing this…"
  • "I imagine they’ve chosen to… because…"

Partner’s 30 seconds

  • "Personally, I’d prefer…"
  • "I think I’d choose…, because…"

Remember

Worked example — two photos of people spending time outdoors

The examiner’s question: “What are the people enjoying about spending time outdoors in these situations?”

Philo Both photos show people outdoors, but in very different situations. In the first one, a family is having a picnic in a park, whereas in the second, a group of young people are climbing a mountain. The family look really relaxed — I imagine they’re enjoying the chance to spend time together without any distractions, and the children seem to be having fun running around. The climbers, on the other hand, must be exhausted, but I’d say they’re enjoying the challenge and the sense of achievement. They might also be enjoying the view, which must be spectacular from up there. So the main difference is that the family are there to rest, while the climbers are there to push themselves.
ExaminerSophia, which of these activities would you prefer to do?
SophiaPersonally, I’d prefer the picnic — climbing looks exciting, but I’m not very good with heights, and I’d spend the whole time looking down.

3Collaborative Task (4 minutes)

The examiner gives you both a question in the centre of a page, surrounded by five written prompts — for example, Why do people choose to live in a big city? with prompts such as jobs, entertainment, transport, education and meeting people. You discuss the prompts together for about two minutes. Then the examiner asks a second question, and you have about one minute to try to reach a decision (for example, which reason is the most important). You don’t have to agree, but you must really discuss.

Starting and moving on

  • "Shall we start with…?"
  • "Let’s move on to…"
  • "What about this one?"

Involving your partner

  • "What do you think about…?"
  • "Would you agree?"
  • "How do you feel about that?"

Agreeing and disagreeing

  • "That’s a good point."
  • "I couldn’t agree more."
  • "I’m not so sure about that."
  • "I see your point, but…"

Reaching a decision

  • "So, which one do you think…?"
  • "Shall we go for…?"
  • "It seems we agree that…"
  • "Let’s agree to disagree."

Beyond “I think”

A few alternatives to vary your language at B2

Instead of “I think”

  • “As far as I’m concerned…”
  • “It seems to me that…”
  • “I’d say that…”

Instead of “good idea”

  • “That makes a lot of sense.”
  • “That’s worth considering.”

Instead of “but”

  • “However,…”
  • “Then again,…”
  • “On the other hand,…”

Worked example — why do people choose to live in a big city?

SophiaShall we start with jobs? It seems to me that’s the main reason most people move to a city.
PhiloThat’s a good point. There are far more opportunities in a city like Alexandria than in a village. What do you think about entertainment?
SophiaI’m not so sure that’s as important. Young people might move for the theatres and the festivals, but older people probably care more about transport and education.
PhiloI see your point. Then again, education is also about opportunities, isn’t it? It’s connected to jobs.
ExaminerNow you have about a minute to decide which reason is the most important.
SophiaFor me, it has to be jobs. Would you agree?
PhiloI couldn’t agree more. Without work, the other things don’t matter much. So we agree that jobs are the most important reason.

4Discussion (4 minutes)

The examiner asks more general questions linked to the topic of Part 3, to each of you or to both of you. The questions are more abstract: Is life better in the city or the country? Will more people work from home in the future? Give full answers, and respond to what your partner says.

ExaminerDo you think cities will become more or less crowded in the future?
PhiloI’d say more crowded, unfortunately. As long as the best jobs are in cities, people will keep moving there.
SophiaI’m not so sure. If more people can work from home, some of them might choose to live somewhere quieter. Then again, it depends on the job.
ExaminerPhilo, what do you think?
PhiloThat’s a fair point. Perhaps the answer is that cities will grow, but more slowly than before.

•How Speaking Is Scored

Examiners assess five things. Four are marked by the silent Assessor, and one — Global Achievement — is marked by the Interlocutor who has been talking to you throughout:

Grammar and Vocabulary

Using a range of simple and some complex grammar with good control, and a range of appropriate vocabulary for familiar topics.

Discourse Management

Producing extended stretches of language, with relevant ideas, clearly organised and linked.

Pronunciation

Being easy to understand, with clear sounds, word and sentence stress, and natural intonation.

Interactive Communication

Starting, responding and developing the conversation, and working with your partner towards an outcome.

Global Achievement

An overall impression of how effectively you communicated across the whole test.