Cómo triunfar en el B2 First (FCE): Speaking Part 1

Como probablemente ya sepas, el Speaking B2 First (FCE) consta de 4 partes, pero en este post, me centraré en la Parte 1 del examen de Speaking del FCE, proporcionando una descripción más detallada, así como ejemplos de tareas y respuestas que podrían ser útiles o comunes en esta parte del examen. Recuerda ver el vídeo al final, también.

Descripción de la Parte 1 del Examen de Speaking del FCE

La primera parte de esta prueba de Speaking es, básicamente, una entrevista sencilla con el examinador y tu compañero, que dura solo 2 o 3 minutos. Al igual que el resto de los exámenes de Speaking de Cambridge English, este comienza con algunas preguntas que el examinador os hará a ti y a tu compañero. Se espera que deis respuestas adecuadas a las preguntas que se os planteen.

Tipos de Preguntas y Temas

Aunque hay algunas preguntas que se suelen hacer a todos los candidatos, la mayoría giran en torno a diferentes temas. Estos son, en términos generales, los temas sobre los que se construyen las unidades típicas de los libros de texto. Por ejemplo: reciclaje y medio ambiente, la vida en la ciudad, viajes, amistades, salud y deportes, etc.

¿Son difíciles estas preguntas? No, normalmente no. Sin embargo, esto obviamente depende de tu nivel. Pero en general, los candidatos sienten que esta es la parte más fácil del examen.

Ejemplos de Preguntas

A continuación, se presenta una lista de preguntas de ejemplo para la Parte 1 del Speaking del FCE. He elaborado esta lista en torno a diferentes temas que podrían aparecer fácilmente en un examen de Speaking de B2. Espero que te resulte útil.

• Typical Opening Questions
  • What is your name?
  • Where are you from?
  • What do you like about living in…?
  • How long have you been studying English?
  • What do you like about studying English?
• Work & Study
  • What do you do?
  • What would make a job interesting for you?
  • What kind of skills do you need in your job?
  • How easy or difficult is it for young people to get a job?
  • Would you like to do the same job for ever?
• Personal Background
  • Where do you come from?
  • In how many different places have you lived during your life?
  • Can you describe your neighbourhood?
  • Do you come from a big or a small family?
  • Would you like to live in the same place for a long time?
• Travel and Holidays
  • How do you normally spend your holidays?
  • Do you prefer to spend your holidays with friends or with family?
  • What’s the last foreign country you visit it? Did you like it?
  • Have you ever been to a city that has disappointed you? Where was it?
  • What’s the most interesting place you have visited? Why?
  • Do many tourists visit your city?
  • What’s your favourite means of transport? Why?
• Entertainment: Reading, Movies, Going Out, etc. 
  • How do you normally spend your free time?
  • Do you have many things in common with your friends?
  • Can you describe the last book you read? Was it good?
  • Do you like science fiction literature? Why (not)?
  • Do you prefer to read a book or to watch a movie?
  • How often do you go to the cinema and who do you go with?
  • Do you prefer to go out with your friends or with your family?
• Food, Health & Sport
  • Is it expensive to eat out in your city?
  • Do you prefer to eat out or to cook for yourself? Why?
  • Do you think that people should take better care of themselves? Why?
  • What sports do young people like doing in your country?
  • Would you rather watch at home sports or take part? Why?
  • When was the last time you attended a live sports event in your city?
  • Do you support any team in particular?
• Clothes, Fashion, Music & Other Trends
  • What type of clothes do people wear in your country?
  • Do students in your country care much about fashion?
  • Do you like to wear fashionable clothes? Why (not)?
  • How often do you go shopping for clothes?
  • Are there any trends that have a negative impact on people’s lives?
  • What are the current trends in the area where you live?
  • What type of music do you like?
  • Is there a band that is particularly famous in your country nowadays?
• The Environment
  • Do you, your friends or your family recycle household waste?
  • Is recycling rewarded in some way by the state in your country?
  • What are the main environmental issues affecting your country at the moment?
  • What is the weather like in your city?
  • What kind of wildlife surrounds the area in which you live?

Cómo Responder a las Preguntas de la Parte 1 del Speaking de B2

Al realizar la primera parte del examen de Speaking del FCE, debes esforzarte realmente por responder de forma concisa pero con una respuesta completa. Ten en cuenta que los examinadores esperan que produzcas un lenguaje apropiado para un nivel B2 (intermedio alto) o superior, por lo que debes mostrar lo que sabes.

Así que ahora te diré QUÉ NO HACER y QUÉ HACER en su lugar con varios ejemplos de preguntas y respuestas.

Veamos algunos ejemplos de preguntas y estilos de respuesta correctos e incorrectos:

• Where do you come from?
  • WRONG: I come from Ronda. (1)
  • RIGHT: I come from a beautiful city in the south of Spain called Ronda.
• What do you like about the place where you live?
  • WRONG: I like the weather, the monuments, the people and my neighbourhood. (2)
  • RIGHT: What I like most about Granada is that it has a very nice climate and many beautiful monuments.
• Do you, your friends or your family recycle household waste?
  • WRONG: Yes, we do. (3)
  • RIGHT: Yes, of course. Recycling is extremely important so we try to recycle everything.
• What sports do young people do in your country?
  • WRONG: Football, basketball, handball and tennis. (4)
  • RIGHT: The most popular sports in Spain are, without a doubt, team sports like football or basketball.
• Is it expensive to eat out in your city?
  • WRONG: Yes, very expensive. The other day I went out with some friends to a bar, before going to the pub, and we had a problem with the bill and we had to pay more because the waiter had made a mistake. (5)
  • RIGHT: Well, it really depends on where you go; some restaurants can be expensive, but there are also some inexpensive places.
• What type of music do you like?
  • WRONG: I normally listen to rock music or rap or… (6)
  • RIGHT: I normally listen to rock music or rap or pop, not much else, really.

Básicamente, debes evitar los siguientes errores típicos en cualquier examen de Speaking:

1. Respuestas muy breves: I come from Ronda. (Esto podría ser apropiado, ¡pero si puedes añadir más información, hazlo!)
2. Enumerar cosas: I like the weather, the monuments…
3. No justificar tus respuestas: Yes, we do.
4. Usar frases sin sujeto ni predicado: Football, basketball, handball and tennis.
5. Hablar de eventos no relacionados o hablar demasiado.
6. Dejar tus respuestas incompletas.

Examen Real de Speaking B2 First (FCE) Parte 1

El siguiente vídeo es un examen real de Speaking del FCE Parte 1. Esto significa que puedes confiar en la estructura, el tipo de preguntas, la duración, etc. Sin embargo, tampoco significa que el desempeño de los candidatos sea brillante.

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