8/3/2019 Fce Speaking Test Tips

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FCE / CAE SPEAKING TIPS

The following tips & expressions are designed to distinguish you from your speaking test partner.If you wish to use these it is imperative that you learn them 100%, and more so, if you are unsureabout their structure, avoid using them at all!

For expressing OPINION:

I believe / reckon / feel / maintain that + your statement (for casual / normal opinions)Example:I believe / reckon / feel / maintain that the rich should try to support the poor as much as they can.

Ive always held that + your statement (for strong opinions)Example:Ive always held that politics is a dirty game!

Ive always believed that + your statement (for strong opinions)Example: (same as above)

Ive always been of the opinion that + your statement (for strong opinions)Example:Ive always been of the opinion that sport is not just good for the body, but also the mind!

For expressing AGREEMENT / DISAGREEMENT:

Agreement1. I agree, 100 per cent2. I whole-heartedly agree3. I completely agree

4. I am of the same the opinion / belief as my partner5. I couldnt agree more

Disagreement1. Im not so sure about that2. I would have to disagree3. I completely disagree4. Im not of the same opinion / belief as my partner5. I couldnt agree less

Talking about PICTURES:

These 2 (or 3 etc) pictures clearly represent. (insert idea here)The overriding message in these pictures is one of. (insert idea here)

Aspects of a photograph:Top = background (in the back-ground)Middle = middle-ground (in the middle-ground)Bottom = fore-ground (in the fore-ground)

Example: In the background on the left we can see.

8/3/2019 Fce Speaking Test Tips

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Specific Notes:

Q: Where are you from?A: Im from Catania, in Sicily in the south of Italy.

Q: How long have you lived in Ireland?A: Let me seeIve been here for approximately 6 months now.

Be careful with your ed endings. A simple rule is this:

Only verbs ending with d or t take an extra syllable.For example:To want I wanted (wan ted)To decide I decided (de sy - ded)To paint I painted (pain - ted)

Other verbs NO extra syllable:For example:

To call I called (KALLD 1 syllable)To live I lived (LIVD 1 syllable)To like I liked (LYKD 1 syllable)