speaking part 3

THE RIGHT LENGTH OF ANSWER:

TOO SHORT - Do you like your job?

A - Yes.

A BIT BETTER: - Do you like your job?

A - Yes, it is good. Having a job is good and my job is good.

THE RIGHT LENGTH: - Do you like your job?

A - Yes and no! I mean, it's a challenge and the work is varied. But sometimes the workload is overwhelming and my work-life balance suffers.

In part 3 you and your speaking test partner are given pictures linking to a theme.

The themes are often universally interesting ones such as 'health' or 'the environment'.

It's often called the 'collaborative task' because for the first time in the CAE Speaking test, you have to work as a team.

You discuss the first question for two minutes, and then there's another question you talk about for one minute.

Monologues (you shouldn't talk more than 20/25 seconds without passing the ball to your partner).

Not reacting to your partner's ideas.

Getting stuck on 1 topic (it's very easy to talk about one keyword for a long time, but you should try to organize your conversation so that it covers everything on the picture.

Rushing through all the topics without analyzing them at all

Dead air

Nodding and other non-verbal communication.

Getting sidetracked (for example, if the topic is 'How important are these things for our health?' many candidates will say explain why health is important. That's not the question!

So you spent two minutes talking about the theme, and you discussed most/all of the keywords. The examiner will stop you, and then ask you a follow-up question. It will include words like 'most', 'best', or 'easiest'. These words make it possible for you to come to a decision.

f the topic was health, the examiner will say, 'Now you have about a minute to decide which of these things can benefit people the most.'

Note that word 'minute'! Deciding the answer too soon will lead to ... dead air! Always start by eliminating two or three options (giving reasons). Start by saying, 'Well it definitely ISN'T ... , because...'