Speaking format guide
Part 1 — Introduction & Interview
Answer questions about familiar topics. 4–5 minutes.
Practice prompts
Open a prompt to review the task, instructions, and recommended timing.
Focus and neighbourhoods — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about your daily routine and the places where you concentrate best.
- What part of your day is usually the busiest?
- Do you prefer to plan your day or decide things as you go?
- Where do you usually go when you need to concentrate?
- Has your daily routine changed in the last few years?
- What is one routine you would like to improve?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Learning new skills — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about learning outside school or work.
- What is something useful you learned recently?
- Do you prefer learning alone or with other people?
- Where do you look for help when a topic is difficult?
- Did you enjoy learning new skills as a child?
- Is there a skill you hope to learn this year?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Local food and shopping — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about buying and preparing food.
- Where do you usually buy fresh food?
- Do you plan meals before you shop?
- What food did you dislike as a child but enjoy now?
- How often do you try an unfamiliar ingredient?
- Is cooking an important skill for young people?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Urban travel — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about travelling around your town or city.
- How do you usually travel on a normal weekday?
- What do you enjoy about that form of transport?
- At what time is travel most difficult in your area?
- Do you often walk to nearby places?
- Has local transport improved since you were younger?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Photographs and memory — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about photographs.
- How often do you take photographs?
- What kinds of things do you usually photograph?
- Do you organise your digital photographs?
- Did your family take many photographs when you were a child?
- Would you rather print a photograph or keep it on a phone?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Small businesses — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about shops and services near your home.
- What kind of local shop do you visit most often?
- Do shop owners in your area know their regular customers?
- Is there a service missing from your neighbourhood?
- Do you compare prices before buying everyday items?
- Would you like to run a small business?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Weather and outdoor events — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about weather in your area.
- What is the weather like at this time of year?
- Does weather affect your plans very often?
- Which kind of weather helps you feel productive?
- How do people prepare for difficult weather where you live?
- Do you check forecasts every day?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Community celebrations — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about celebrations.
- Which celebrations are important in your family?
- Do you prefer large celebrations or small gatherings?
- How far ahead do you usually prepare for a special event?
- What food is associated with celebrations in your culture?
- Have celebrations changed since you were a child?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Technology and habits — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about how you use your phone and other devices day to day.
- What do you use your phone for most often?
- Do you ever deliberately spend time away from screens?
- What was the last app you found genuinely useful?
- Do you prefer typing or writing by hand?
- How is your use of technology different from your parents' generation?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Work and ambition — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about your work or your studies.
- Do you work or are you a student?
- What do you enjoy most about your work or studies?
- What was your very first ambition as a child?
- Do you prefer working alone or with other people?
- What skill would most improve your career if you learned it?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Nature and the outdoors — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about parks and spending time outdoors.
- How often do you spend time outdoors?
- Is there a park or green space near your home?
- Did you spend more time outside as a child than you do now?
- What outdoor activity would you like to try?
- Do you prefer mountains, forests or the sea?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Music and performance — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about music.
- What kind of music do you listen to most?
- When do you usually listen to music?
- Did you learn a musical instrument at school?
- Has your taste in music changed over the years?
- Do you prefer listening at home or hearing music live?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Reading and stories — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about reading.
- Do you read more for pleasure or for work and study?
- What did you enjoy reading as a child?
- Do you prefer paper books or reading on a screen?
- Where do you usually read?
- Is there a book you have read more than once?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Sport and health — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about exercise and keeping fit.
- What kind of exercise do you do regularly?
- Did you enjoy sport at school?
- Do you prefer exercising alone or in a team?
- Is walking a popular way to keep fit where you live?
- What stops people from exercising as much as they would like?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Gifts and generosity — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about giving and receiving gifts.
- When do people usually give gifts in your country?
- Do you find it easy to choose gifts for other people?
- What is the best gift you have ever received?
- Do you think handmade gifts are better than bought ones?
- Is it acceptable to give money instead of a present?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
Travel and languages — Part 1· interview
Let us talk about travel and learning languages.
- Do you enjoy travelling to new places?
- Which foreign languages have you studied?
- What is the hardest part of learning a language?
- Do you prefer travelling with plans or without them?
- What place in your own country would you recommend to visitors?
Answer naturally in complete sentences. Give a reason or example when it helps your answer.
5 minutes
