● Let’s Practise!

Please refer to the glossary at the end of the document to learn moreuseful vocabulary and phrases and improve your speaking.

● Sample question 1: Speak for at least 30 seconds about the question

Guidelines:In this question, you will have 20 seconds to read the text and then you willneed to speak between 30 and 90 seconds about the topic. It gives you someprompts on the topic that they would like you to speak about. As the test isrecorded using your webcam, the video is assessed and a mark given for yourfluency, accuracy, pronunciation and how well you are able to get your pointacross.If you can’t answer one of the questions, explain that you can’t remember orthat it is difficult to answer that question for some reason. This question issimilar to IELTS speaking part 2.

Top Tip! If you cannot think of a true answer to the question then you can inventone. Eg: Don’t get stuck thinking about what your favourite hobby is, justchoose one that you know and go from there.

Sample Answer:

Every one of us human beings have different types of short term or long term goalsaccording to our own desires and dreams. Some want to save up money to buy luxurycars and accessories while others want to travel all over the countries.Well, for myself I also have a goal, and that is to set up a workout routine for doingsome daily physical exercise. It doesn’t seem like much but I have been carrying thisthought for some time inside my head that I need to work on my physical fitness foralmost a year. But I haven’t managed to do it yet either because I have been too lazy ortoo busy.But, time has certainly become a bit more serious about both my physical well beingand fitness, mainly because I am spending plenty of time at the little desk in my roomand don’t really have a lot of physical movement, which makes me feel dull and weak.After all, sitting on a chair for a significant part of a day without any physical activity islike setting yourself up for a disaster as far as your health is concerned.And I know that setting up this workout routine is not going to be easy because I’mnot exactly a very organized person. Besides, the responsibilities and the current workschedules I have at my job won’t exactly allow me to set a fixed workout routineunless I become more aggressive and innovative about it. So I can sum up that, thisone goal will still remain as a dream that I am yet to achieve.

● Exercise Question 1A

● Exercise Question 1B

● Exercise Question 1C

● Exercise Question 1D

● Exercise Question 1E

● Sample Question 2: Record yourself saying a written statement (20 s)

Guidelines: This task is all about your pronunciation of individual words but alsoyour sentence stress and intonation knowledge. Remember that English is a stresstimed language which means that some syllables will be longer or shorter. Youshould read the sentence out loud at least once or more as practice before youactually record it. You won’t have a lot of time for preparation. For this reason, youneed to scan the statement quickly and say it clearly.

Top Tip! Record yourself saying short sentences and listening back to them to seeif you can improve your pronunciation. You can check online for specificpronunciation of words you are practicing to make sure they are correct.

● Exercise Question 2A

● Exercise Question 2B

● Exercise Question 2C

● Exercise Question 2D

● Exercise Question 2E

● Exercise Question 2F

● Exercise Question 2G

● Sample Question 3: Speak about the photo

Guidelines: In this question, you need to describe a photo and recordyourself speaking. I recommend practicing this question together with the“write about thephoto” question. Practice describing vocabulary and each time youpractice with a photo you can also practice speaking.

You have 20 seconds to look at the photo and decide what you are goingto say. You can speak about the photo for between 30 and 90 seconds.

Sample answer:

In the picture, there appears to be a family of four: one adult and threechildren, casually strolling alongside each other on a sandy beach. Theyseem to be having a summer vacation.

The adult seems like she’s wearing something like a long blue sundress. Achild who has the earmarks of being the eldest one among the siblings isholding a yellow object which might well be a surfboard.In the background, a blue sky can be seen with the waves crawling gentlytowards the shore. Overall, the picture gives an abstract of a familyenjoying their summer vacation on a lovely, sunny day.

● Exercise Question 3A

● Exercise Question 3B

● Exercise Question 3C

● Exercise Question 3D

● Exercise Question 3E

● Exercise Question 3F

Glossary

Words / Phrases / Expressions Definition

Start from scratch (idiom) Nothing like this has ever been done soyou have to start from the beginning

Innovative (adj) Introducing new ideas and methods;advanced and creative in thinking

As a consequence (phr) As a result, subsequently, for that reason,therefore

Uphill (adj) Requiring great effort; challenging,wearisome

Earmark (noun) A characteristic or identifying feature

Keepsake (noun) A small item kept in memory of theperson who gave it or originally owned it;souvenir

Prized possession (noun) Something that is very important, deeplymeaningful and valuable to you

Pastime (noun) An activity you enjoy doing; a hobby

Brush up on (phrv) To polish one’s existing knowledge orcompetence (eg. brush up on Maths skill)

Miserable (adj) Wretchedly unhappy or uncomfortable;upset

Close-knit (adj) Bound together by strong relationships(eg. close-knit family)

Having said that (phr) Used for adding opposite opinion;however, despite of that

It seems as though (phr) Used when you’re giving a possibleexplanation for something

Alongside (prep) Close to the side of; next to, by the side of

Give prominence to (phrv) To draw attention to something;emphasize the importance

Main square (noun) An open public space used for openmarkets, concerts and other eventsusually surrounded by small shops

Keep an eye on (phrv) To look after somebody or something withcare

Wheelbarrow (noun) A small cart with a single wheel and twohandles to gear for carrying loads ingardening

Graffiti (noun) Writing or drawings usually sprayedillegally on a wall or other surface in apublic place

Precarious (adj) Likely to slip or fall, not secure,dangerous, menacing