CAE Speaking Test

Duration: 15 minutes (23 minutes for groups of three at centres where there's an odd
number
of
candidates).
Participants: Candidates interviewed in pairs or threes. Two examiners: one examiner asks
the questions, the other acts as assessor and doesn't speak during the interview.
Format: The test consists of four parts.
Part 1 (Interview)
Tests ability to: use language for social purposes, e.g. making introductions, answering
questions, stating an opinion.
This first section of the CAE Speaking exam lasts about three minutes (five minutes for
groups of three) and gives the examiner the chance to find out a little about you and your
partner through some 'getting-to-know-you' questions. These will be simple questions to
help 'break the ice', for example questions about your family, your studies, where you come
from or what your interests are.
Example Questions
The interview will begin with the examiner saying something like:
Q: Hello.
My
name
is
........
and
this
is
my
colleague
Q: And
your
names
Q: Can
I
have
your
mark
sheets
please?
........
Thank
Q: First of all we'd like to know something about you.

........
are?
you.

The examiner will then ask each of you some questions. For example:
Q: Tell
me
about
where
Q: Do
you
enjoy
Q: Do
you
have
any
Q: Why are you preparing for the CAE exam?

you
studying
hobbies

come
or

from.
English?
interests?

Tips!
You'll gain extra marks if you're able to give full, relevant answers to these questions.
1)
Offer
more
than
the
bare
minimum
in
your
answers.
Q: Tell
me
about
where
you
come
from.
A: I come from Bielefeld. (Don't stop there!) It's in the northern part of Germany. It's a lovely
place with a busy town and it's also close to some nice countryside.
2)
Avoid
short,
'yes',
'no'
answers.
Q: Do
you
enjoy
studying
English?
A: Yes I do! I quite like studying languages and English in particular. I have a lot of English
friends and love to be able to communicate with them in their own language. And I love being
able
to
read
English
novels.
Q: Do
you
have
any
hobbies
or
interests?
A: No, not hobbies really. I used to like collecting things as a child but that doesn't interest me
now. I suppose you could say music is a big interest, I especially like listening to English bands.

3)
Offer
examples
to
help
you
explain
a
statement.
Q: Why
are
you
preparing
for
the
CAE
exam?
A: Because it's important for my job. As part of my appraisal, my boss advised me to take an
English exam to help me develop my professional skills. I passed FCE last year and if I'm
successful at CAE I'd like to try CPE.
Part 2 (Long Turn)
Tests ability to: speak at length coherently, use language to describe, compare and contrast,
hypothesise and comment upon a topic.
Part 2 of the CAE Speaking test lasts about 4 minutes (six minutes for groups of three).
Candidate A is passed a set of pictures and has to speak about the pictures without
interruption, either from the examiner or their partner. When Candidate A has finished the
examiner asks Candidate B to answer a brief question about the pictures. The roles are then
reversed: Candidate B is given a different set of pictures and speaks for 1 minute followed by
Candidate A, who answers a brief question about the pictures.
Example Task
At this stage of the interview the examiner will say something on the lines of:
Q: In this part of the exam I'm going to give each of you three photographs and I'd like you to
talk about them on your own for about a minute and also to answer a question briefly about
your partner's photographs.
Q: Here are your pictures (Candidate A). They show people in different educational settings. I'd
like you to talk about two of these photos andcompare the settings and say how the students
may be feeling in each one.
Q: All right?

Notice there are TWO instructions here: first to 'compare and contrast' the photographs and
also to speculate on how the students 'may be feeling'. In Part 2 candidates are required to

show they can do more than simply describe and will need to show the ability to speculate or
hypothesize on a particular topic or scene.
Tips!
1. The picture set will have a general theme but try to find two that are either very similar or
very different in some way. This will give you a basis on which to compare and/or contrast the
two pictures. In the example above, pictures two and three show two contrasting educational
settings: the formal lecture theatre in picture two compared to the relaxed outdoor scene in
picture three.
2. In terms of hypothesizing, pictures two and three offer a good opportunity to speculate on
how students in each contrasting situation might be feeling. Think about opportunities for
hypothesizing when choosing your pictures.
3. Signpost the end of your talk by adding a personal reaction to the pictures. For example:
'The two people in picture three look like they're enjoying themselves but personally, I think I'd
prefer to spend my study time in a lecture theatre where I'd be more able to concentrate on
learning'.
4. Many people preparing for the CAE oral exam worry about not having enough to say in the
time available or not having enough time to express their ideas. The best way to get the timing
right is to practise making short talks on various topics on your own. (Or in front of a friend if
you're feeling brave!)

Part 3: (Two-Way Discussion)

Tests ability to: use language to discuss and interpret, to agree, disagree or agree to disagree,
negotiate and collaborate, to rank or classify.
In Part 3 of the CAE Speaking test, which lasts about four minutes (six minutes for groups of
three), the examiner will ask you and your partner to talk about another set of visual prompts
together.
Example Task
The examiner will say something on the lines of:
Q: I'd like you to talk about something together for three minutes. (Five minutes for groups of
three)
Q: Here are your pictures showing different occupations. Discuss the role these people have in
our lives. Then decide which job tends to be the most stressful.
Q: All right?

Notice there are TWO instructions. The first asks you to 'discuss' the role of the people, and
the second asks you to 'decide' which job is the most stressful. This means you're required not
only to talk about each visual but also to show your ability to negotiate and collaborate with
your partner. You don't have to reach agreement but you must at least work towards this.
Tips!
It will help both yourself and your partner if you work together collaboratively on this task.
1. Be prepared to ask your partner for his or her opinion rather than simply stating your own.
2. Listen 'actively' to what your partner says, responding to comments he or she makes. Use
expressions
such
as
the
following
to
comment
on
something:
"That's
an
interesting
point."
"I
was
interested
in
what
you
said
about
..."
"So,
when
you
say
........,
do
you
mean
........?"
"Could
you
explain
what
you
mean
by
.......?"

3. Use expressions to allow yourself time to think. For example: 'That's a good question.', 'Well,
let me think ...'
4. In order to bring the discussion to a constructive conclusion try using expressions such as
the
following:
"So,
weighing
up
the
pros
and
cons,
do
you
think
?"
"Are
we
generally
in
agreement
that
?"
"So,
all
in
all
do
we
feel
?"
"Essentially,
do
we
all
agree
that
?"
"So,
to
sum
up
"
"So,
in
general
"
"It seems weve reached the conclusion that "
Part 4: (Three-Way Discussion)
Tests ability to: use language to summarise, report and explain decisions; develop a topic
further.
In Part 4 of the CAE Speaking test, which lasts about four minutes (six for groups of three), the
examiner will join the discussion and ask candidates questions related to the visuals used in
Part 3.
Example Questions
Q: Do any of these jobs have a special status in your country?
Q: Which jobs do you think offer the greatest personal satisfaction?
Q: Do any of these jobs appeal to you?
Tips!
1. Again, avoid short, 'yes', 'no' answers to the examiner's questions.
2. Use techniques to make your contributions powerful, for example by using short, personal
anecdotes to help make a point.
3. Continue to work with your partner. Respond constructively and show interest in things he
or she says.

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