Preparing for the speaking part of CAE

Today we are going to practice for the speaking part of the CAE.

Here is some general information:
 

www.CambridgeEnglish.org

This document will help you familiarise yourself with theSpeaking test for

Cambridge English:

Advanced also known as

Certificate in Advanced English(CAE)

How the Cambridge English:

Advanced Speaking test is assessed

Advanced Speaking test

The Speaking test is 15 minutes long and consists of four parts. The standard test 
format is two candidates and two examiners. One examiner (the interlocutor) 
conducts the test, providing you with the necessary materials and explaining 
what you have to do. The other examiner (the assessor) is introduced to you, 
but then takes no further part in the interaction.

Part 1

(3 minutes)

The interlocutor first asks you and your partner a few questions. The interlocutor asks

candidates for some information about themselves, then widens the scope of the 
questions by  asking about, for example, candidates’ leisure activities, studies, 
travel and daily life.

Candidates are expected to respond to the interlocutor’s questions and listen to
 what their partner has to say.

Part 2

(a one-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the

second candidate)

You are each given the opportunity to talk for about a minute, and 
to comment briefly after your partner has spoken.

The interlocutor gives you a set of pictures and asks you to talk about them for about one

minute. It is important to listen carefully to the interlocutor’s instructions. 
The interlocutor then asks your partner a question about your

 pictures and your partner responds briefly. You are then given another 
set of pictures to look at

Your partner talks about these picturesfor about one minute.
 This time the interlocutor asks you a question about your partner’s

pictures and you respond briefly.

Part 3

(approximately 4 minutes)

In this part of the test, you and your partner are asked to talk together. 
The interlocutor places a new set of pictures on the table between you. 
This stimulus provides the basis for a discussion. 
The interlocutor explains what you have to do.

Part 4

(approximately 4 minutes)

The  interlocutor asks some further questions, which leads to a 
more general discussion of what you have talked about in Part 3. 

You may comment on your partner’s answers if you wish

As you do the test, the assessor focuses on these areas of your English;

Grammatical Resource 

Are you using a good range of grammatical structures?

Are you using these structures correctly?













Lexical Resource
Are you using a good range of vocabulary?

Are you using vocabulary which is appropriate for the topics you are talking about?

Are you using it correctly?

Are you showing that you can use suitable vocabulary to talk about topics which are 

unfamiliar to you, as well as topics which you are more used to talking about?

Discourse Management

Are you using both long and short answers, depending on the task? 

Is everything you say relevant to the topic of discussion?

Are your ideas expressed in clear and well-organised language?

Are you using a range of language to link and organise your ideas?

Are you able to speak fluently, without too much hesitation?

Pronunciation

You don’t need to have an English accent, but it is important to be clear.

Are you pronouncing individual sounds correctly?

Are you placing stress on the right parts of words and on the right

words in sentences?

Does your voice go up and down at the right times?

Does your pronunciation help you to communicate what you mean?

Interactive Communication

Are you able to interact with the other candidate easily and effectively?

Are you listening to the other candidate and answering in a way that makes sense?

Are you able to start a discussion and help manage the discussion so that 

you and your partner keep it going?

Can you think of new ideas to add to the discussion? 

The examiner checks on your

Global Achievement

. This is about your general

performance.

How well are you speaking about the topics you are given?

Are your answers clear and fluent?

Are you using language which is right for the

Cambridge English: Advanced level?

When your test is complete, the examiners give you marks for each of these things:

Grammar, Vocabulary, Discourse Management, Pronunciation,

Interactive Communication and Global Achievement.

Here is a video recording of two candidates doing the examination

Here are the comments about their performance

Here are several examples of the test materials
 Here is an example of the kind of questions used in part 1