Hello Exam Seekers,
Last year we started reviewing the new format of the B2 – First (former FCE) Speaking Exam. Part 1 – The interview, was a light conversation about general topics, just to make the interviewee more relaxed. Part 2 – The long turn, the candidate should speak about a topic for around 1 minute. Now, let’s see something about part 3:
Part 3 – Collaborative Task
In this part, the candidate will have a conversation with the other candidate(s). The examiner will give you some material and a task for you and your peer to do it. In this part, it is required that you both get into a conclusion /decision.
This part takes about 3 minutes: a 2-minute debate and a 1-minute discussion-making task. This part goes on like this:
At this point, both candidates should discuss the possibilities presented in this chart:
So an example of an answer could be:
Candidate A: I believe that having more shops is a nice way to bring tourists to town since there will be more places that you can buy stuff. What do you think?
Candidate B: I agree with you, more shops, more people. However, I believe that building holiday flats, will definitely bring more visitors to the city because it is usually the tourist, who buys things. So having more shops and more places for the tourist to stay the night might be a good idea.
When the debate is finished, there is one important task. Candidates should answer this question: Which idea would be best for the town?
Now, both candidates have about 1 minute to come up with one option. At this point, you are required to get into one answer and only one option. If you are paired with a person you don’t know, and he/she is competing with you, don’t worry! Let him/her start, but try and make yourself present and known. Moreover, some people want their opinions to be the one, I mean, they are not focusing on the task, but they liked one of the options and they want this option to be the one that both candidates agree. This makes the task much more challenging because you are trying to show your English discussion skills and the other candidate doesn’t help you at all! Bear in mind, this task is not assessing the best idea, but how both candidates are able to discuss the options and decide on one! So if the other candidate is challenging, just go along with the person, show that you are considering other options, but in the end agree with him/her. By doing that, you show the assessors that you know how to discuss through adversity and you are still able to come to a conclusion.
When candidates go along with you, it’s much simpler. Although, it is a good idea to practice this speaking part because when we are taking the examination, you lose track of time. So the interlocutor asks you a questions and you have just 2 minutes, that for you can become hours, or seconds depending on how you are prepared for the challenge. So be ready! When you are sitting for this third part of the speaking exam, the examiner will let you know that your minutes are up and lead you to the next question.
Hope it has made you at ease. If you have more questions about it, please write them in the comment session below and don’t forget to follow the blog at:
Have a great week,
Patty