Pass the Cambridge B2 First Speaking exam (FCE) Part 2

Summary

This video guides learners through Part 2 of the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) Speaking Exam, offering practical strategies to succeed. It explains how to talk about pictures, answer questions directly, and speculate about actions using modal verbs for the present and past. The tutorial emphasizes using the second conditional to express preferences, the zero conditional to discuss likes, and 'used to' for past habits. With step-by-step examples, learners see how to make answers more complex and engaging while staying grammatically accurate. By following these tips, students can confidently tackle the exam and improve both fluency and accuracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Part 2 of the Cambridge FCE speaking exam involves speaking alone for one minute, where candidates must talk about two pictures and answer a related question.
• 😀 The speaking exam includes either one or two partners, and candidates must describe the pictures and respond to questions within a specified time limit.
• 😀 It's important to answer the question directly in Part 2. Describing the pictures without addressing the question will limit your score.
• 😀 For B2 level, candidates must understand the concepts in the pictures and answer questions using speculation rather than simply describing them.
• 😀 Use modal verbs (must, might, could, may, can’t) to speculate about why people are performing actions in pictures (e.g., why someone is playing golf or basketball).
• 😀 The key to answering questions effectively is to think beyond the obvious and offer logical, well-reasoned speculations about the images.
• 😀 The use of the second conditional is important when asked about preferences (e.g., ‘If I had to choose, I would play basketball because it’s more fun than golf.’).
• 😀 Past modals of deduction (must have, could have, might have, etc.) are used to speculate about why people made certain choices in the past, such as choosing to eat at a specific place.
• 😀 Speculating about actions in the present and past is essential for showing a deeper understanding of the pictures and their context in the speaking exam.
• 😀 When asked about personal preferences or habits, candidates can use structures like zero conditional (‘It depends’) or ‘used to’ to express past routines or preferences.

Q & A

What is the format of part two of the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) speaking exam?

Part two of the FCE speaking exam lasts for four minutes if you have one partner, or six minutes if you have two partners. The examiner gives you two pictures, and you must talk about them and answer a related question within one minute. Your partner will also answer a question about the pictures, typically for 30 seconds.

What should you focus on when answering in part two of the exam?

In part two, the key is to focus on answering the question directly rather than just describing the pictures. For example, when asked why someone is enjoying a sport, you need to speculate about their feelings or motivations, not just describe the picture.

Why is it important to use modal verbs in the FCE speaking exam?

Modal verbs are crucial for speculation. They help express certainty or uncertainty about actions and feelings. For example, 'must' shows certainty, while 'might' or 'could' indicate uncertainty. This skill is necessary to accurately answer questions about why someone might be doing something or enjoying something.

What is the difference between speculating about the present and speculating about the past in the FCE speaking exam?

Speculating about the present involves using modal verbs with the present continuous tense, such as 'might be' or 'must be.' Speculating about the past, on the other hand, involves past modal verbs like 'must have,' 'could have,' or 'might have' to discuss past events or choices.

How can you answer a question about preferences in part two of the speaking exam?

When asked about preferences, it's beneficial to use the second conditional to show your grammar skills. For example, 'If I had to choose, I would prefer basketball because it’s more fun than golf for me.' This shows that you're able to express hypothetical preferences.

What mistake did Monica make when answering the question about the woman playing golf?

Monica initially failed to answer the question directly. She focused too much on describing the woman's clothing and not enough on why the woman might be enjoying golf. In the second attempt, she improved by answering the question with speculation about the woman's enjoyment of nature and the sunshine.

How should you answer questions about 'why' someone is doing something in the exam?

You should avoid simply describing the activity and instead use modal verbs to speculate. For instance, when asked why someone is playing golf, you might say, 'She could be enjoying the sport because it’s relaxing,' instead of just describing the picture.

Why is it important to avoid using the present simple tense in part two of the FCE speaking exam?

Using the present simple tense in part two is considered too basic. To show more advanced grammar, it's better to use modal verbs, conditionals, or past modals. This helps demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency and makes your answers more complex and interesting.

What did Bruce do well in his answer about eating in different places?

Bruce did well by speculating about the people in the pictures. He made use of modal verbs to discuss possibilities, such as 'They must be a family' and 'They might have chosen this place because it’s convenient.' This shows an ability to analyze and infer beyond the surface of the images.

How can you use 'used to' to complicate simple questions in the FCE speaking exam?

'Used to' is a great tool for talking about past habits or routines. For example, when asked if you like something, you can say, 'I used to like it when I was younger, but now I don't.' This allows you to give more nuanced and complex answers while demonstrating past tense usage.