How to Succeed in B2 First (FCE): Speaking Part 1

As you probably know already, the Speaking B2 First (FCE) comprises 4 parts, but in this post, I will focus on the Part 1 of the FCE Speaking test, providing a more in-depth description as well as examples of tasks and answers that could be useful or common in this part of the exam. Remember to to watch the video at the end, too.

Description of FCE Speaking Test Part 1

The first part of this speaking test is, basically, a simple interview with the examiner and your partner, which lasts only 2 or 3 minutes. As the rest of Cambridge English speaking exams, this one starts with a few questions that the examiner will ask you and your partner. You are expected to give  suitable answers to the questions you are asked.

Rebajas
Speaking First: Ten practice tests for the Cambridge B2 First
Get your copy of Speaking B2 to gain access to 10 complete B2 First (FCE) Speaking Tests and many more things: description of each part, sample answers, guidance for every part, mark sheet, author comments and tips, etc.

Types of Questions and Topics

While there are a few questions that every candidate is usually asked, most of them revolve around different topics. These are, in general terms, the themes around which typical textbook units are built. For example: recycling and the environment, life in the city, travelling, friendships, health and sports, etc.

B2 Speaking FCE Part 1

Are these questions difficult? No, not normally. However, this obviously depends on your level. But in general, candidates feel that this is the easiest part of the exam.

Sample Questions

What follows is a list of sample questions for FCE Speaking Part 1. I have put together this list revolving around different topics which could easily appear in a B2 Speaking exam. Hope you find it useful.

Rebajas
Speaking First: Ten practice tests for the Cambridge B2 First
Get your copy of Speaking B2 to gain access to 10 complete B2 First (FCE) Speaking Tests and many more things: description of each part, sample answers, guidance for every part, mark sheet, author comments and tips, etc.
  • 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?

How to Answer B2 Speaking Part 1 Questions

When doing the first part of the FCE Speaking test, you must really make an effort to answer concisely yet with a complete answer. Take into account that the examiners are expecting you to produce language which is appropriate to a B2 level (upper-intermediate) or above, so you must show what you know.

So now I will tell you WHAT NOT TO DO and WHAT TO DO instead with several sample questions and answers.

Let’s see some examples of questions and right and wrong answering styles:

  • 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.

Basically, you should avoid the following typical mistakes in every speaking test:

  1. Very brief answers: I come from Ronda. (This might be appropriate, but if it’s okay to add more information, do it!)
  2. Listing things: I like the weather, the monuments…
  3. Not justifying your answers: Yes, we do.
  4. Using phrases without subject or predicate: Football, basketball, handball and tennis.
  5. Talking about unrelated events or talking too much.
  6. Leaving your answers unfinished.
Rebajas
Speaking First: Ten practice tests for the Cambridge B2 First
Get your copy of Speaking B2 to gain access to 10 complete B2 First (FCE) Speaking Tests and many more things: description of each part, sample answers, guidance for every part, mark sheet, author comments and tips, etc.

Real B2 First (FCE) Speaking Part 1

The video that follows is a real FCE Speaking Exam Part 1. This means that you can trust the structure, the kind of questions, the duration, and so on. However, it does not mean that the candidates’ performance is brilliant, either.

If you enjoyed this post, please comment and share, and keep up with KSE Academy’s latest news on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Oh, and don’t forget to keep smiling!

1 comentario en “How to Succeed in B2 First (FCE): Speaking Part 1”

  1. Luis me gustaria que si me puedes decir enlaces para hacer speaking de hablar sin que no se de descargar, se lo agradecería muchísimo.
    Saludos cordiales

Deja una respuesta

Tu dirección de correo electrónico no será publicada. Los campos obligatorios están marcados con *