What is the purpose of Part 2?
The examiner wants to hear you give a short talk about a simple topic based on your own experience, to see whether you can speak for one or two minutes on your own.
When does Part 2 begin?
When you have answered the question in Part 1, the examiner will introduce Part 2.
Do I need to time myself in the test?
No. The examiner will time all the parts of the test. When you do the Part 2 talk, he or she will stop you when you have talked for a maximum of two minutes. However, you do need to have an idea of how long two minutes is, so that you can plan your talk.
[ ON THE DAY ]
- Listen carefully to all the instructions. Ask the examiner to repeat them if you don't understand.
- You do not need to take your own paper of pen or pencil to the speaking test. These will be provided by the examiner.
- The examiner will choose the topic and you cannot change it. You should find your topic familiar and easy to talk about.
#2 Then the examiner will give you a piece of paper and a pen or pencil to make notes, and your topic. You will have on minute to prepare your talk.
What doe the Part 2 topic look like?
The text will clearly state the topic that you need to talk about and will give some points to guide your talk.
[ Underline the topic, and the point that you need to cover in your talk. ]
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Here is an example:
Describe a scientific development that has benefited mankind.
You should say:
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What if I don't understand some of the words in the topic?
You can ask the examiner to explain any words you don't understand.
How long will I have to make notes? The examiner will give you one minute to make some notes. During this time, he or she will not talk to you. The notes are not marked and will be thrown away after the test. You cannot take them out of the room.
What if I haven't got any experience of the topic? Use your imagination and invent some ideas. Remember that the examiner is testing your ability to speak English, not your views or general knowledge.
Here are six possible topics. Take two minutes to read through topics A-F and write down two ideas from your own experience for each one.
a. An activity that you enjoy.
b. An exciting experience from your childhood.
c. A person that you would like to meet.
d. A celebration that took place in your home town.
e. A job that you have done.
f. A play or concert that you have been in.
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Describe a plan you have made for your future that is not related to your studies.
You should say:
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How can I make sure I choose a good idea to talk about?
The three points often begin with How or Wh-question words such as why, who, when, whether, what or which. These points are given to help you.
Read the topic below and the start of the student's talk. What mistake has he made?
[ I think I'll talk about getting married that'll be easy. ]
[ I'm going to talk about my plan to get married. Er, I want to get married before I'm 3o... Er, it'll change my life, obviously, er, because I won't be single any more... Er, I can't think... ]
Sample Idea #1 : Think of two plans you could talk about. Take about one minute to make an idea map, like the one below, for each plan.
a. What the plan is: Buying a new guitar
Should I talk about the points in order? Here is an example:
Describe a scientific development that has benefited mankind.
You should say:
- what type of development it is
- why it was needed
- how it has been used
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What if I don't understand some of the words in the topic?
You can ask the examiner to explain any words you don't understand.
How long will I have to make notes? The examiner will give you one minute to make some notes. During this time, he or she will not talk to you. The notes are not marked and will be thrown away after the test. You cannot take them out of the room.
What if I haven't got any experience of the topic? Use your imagination and invent some ideas. Remember that the examiner is testing your ability to speak English, not your views or general knowledge.
Here are six possible topics. Take two minutes to read through topics A-F and write down two ideas from your own experience for each one.
a. An activity that you enjoy.
b. An exciting experience from your childhood.
c. A person that you would like to meet.
d. A celebration that took place in your home town.
e. A job that you have done.
f. A play or concert that you have been in.
---------------------
Describe a plan you have made for your future that is not related to your studies.
You should say:
- what the plan is
- when you think you will do it
- how it could change your life
----------------------
How can I make sure I choose a good idea to talk about?
The three points often begin with How or Wh-question words such as why, who, when, whether, what or which. These points are given to help you.
Read the topic below and the start of the student's talk. What mistake has he made?
[ I think I'll talk about getting married that'll be easy. ]
[ I'm going to talk about my plan to get married. Er, I want to get married before I'm 3o... Er, it'll change my life, obviously, er, because I won't be single any more... Er, I can't think... ]
Sample Idea #1 : Think of two plans you could talk about. Take about one minute to make an idea map, like the one below, for each plan.
a. What the plan is: Buying a new guitar
- mine's ten years old
- it's my favourite pastime
- there's a model I really like
- I'll have more time and money next year
- I need to concentrate on my studies now
- be 21 next year — a special birthday
- join a band
- play better on a new instrument
- impress my girlfriend
You can cover the points in any order. You may have more to say about sortie points than others. This doesn't matter.
What tense should I speak in?
This will depend on the instructions. The tense may change through your talk depending on the points you are given.
Sample Idea #2 : Underline or highlight all the different verb tenses in the talk below on 'an activity that you enjoy '.
{ I enjoy doing Taekwondo because I've always been interested in martial arts. Even when I was a little kid I used to watch films and dream of getting my black belt. So I had my first class at the age of seven. Most of the other students were older than me. Nowadays, I have less time but I still try to go to classes at least once a month. }
What points do you think the student was given to talk about?
How should I start my talk?
When the minute's preparation time is over, the examiner will tell you to begin. Your opening words should tell the examiner what you have chosen to talk about.
# Fill in the gaps in the talks below using an appropriate verb in an appropriate tense. You can use more than one word for each space and choose your own verbs. Then read the talks aloud.
I'm going to talk about my first job. I ....... in a small village in the countryside, but soon after that, my family moved to Bangkok and I .......... there until I ......... my studies. I got used to the big city so after that I .......... abroad to work for a multinational company This job .........
The person I'd like to meet is the president of our country because he ....... a very important person. He's ......... by the people and ......... in office for five years. I think it ......... an honour to meet him and I .........very proud.
I'd like to talk about the royal wedding that took place in Copenhagen in 2004. The Prince of Denmark ......... married to a young woman from Australia, and 1 ......... lucky enough to be in Copenhagen at the time of the wedding. Thousands of people ......... out onto the streets to watch the couple go past in an open carriage. Even though I ......... believe in fairy tales, this ......... a real fairy-tale wedding.
How can I show a rang e of topic vocabulary?
Make a mind map of some of the vocabulary and ideas you can use. The examiner will be listening to see whether you know a range of words related to the topic. Use as many as you can and don't worry too much about making mistakes. imagine this your topic.
ACTION PLAN
>Read the whole topic carefully first.
>Choose an idea that you can talk about for up to two minutes.
>Think about the tenses you will use.
>Prepare some ideas for the whole talk, not just the opening.
>Don't talk about something unrelated to the topic.
>Introduce your topic clearly at the start of your talk.