Cambridge C1 Advanced
C1 Advanced (CAE) - Speaking Practice Four
Here, you have a full Speaking test. What the examiner says is shown in italics.
Speaking Part One: Interview
2 minutes
Good morning/afternoon. My name is ________ and this is my colleague ________.
And your names are?
Can I have your mark sheets please?
Thank you.
Where are you from, (Candidate A)?
And you, (Candidate B)?
Address a selection of these questions to the candidates in turn, as appropriate.
What do you find beautiful about where you live?
Do you have a favourite building or piece of architecture? Why do you like it?
Has your idea of beauty changed as you've grown older?
What makes something beautiful to you?
Do you think beautiful things are always expensive?
Speaking Part Two: Long Turn
4 minutes (1 minute per candidate plus 30-second responses)
In this part of the test, I'm going to give each of you three photographs. I'd like you to talk about two of them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner's photographs.
(Candidate A), it's your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show different interpretations of beauty in nature. I'd like you to compare two of the photographs, and say why people might find these scenes beautiful, and what effect they might have on people.
[Candidate A speaks for 1 minute]
Thank you.
(Candidate B), which of these natural settings would you find most inspiring? Why?
[Candidate B speaks for 30 seconds]
Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs. They show different ways people create or interact with beauty. I'd like you to compare two of the photographs, and say what these people might get from these experiences, and why they might value them.
[Candidate B speaks for 1 minute]
Thank you.
(Candidate A), which of these ways of experiencing beauty appeals to you most? Why?
[Candidate A speaks for 30 seconds]
Speaking Part Three: Collaborative Task
3 minutes (2-minute discussion followed by 1-minute decision-making task)
Now, I'd like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.
Here are some ways that beauty might influence our lives. Talk to each other about how these different aspects might affect people's wellbeing and behaviour.
- beautiful surroundings
- personal appearance
- artistic expression
- natural aesthetics
- design in everyday objects
After your discussion [after 2 minutes], you have about a minute to decide which two aspects have the greatest impact on people's daily lives.
Speaking Part Four: Discussion
5 minutes
Now, to finish the test, we're going to talk about beauty in general.
(Questions selected from below, addressed to both candidates)
- How have social media and filters changed our perception of beauty?
- Should governments invest in making public spaces more beautiful?
- Is there such a thing as universal beauty?
- Why do different cultures have different ideas about what's beautiful?
- Has modern life made us less appreciative of beauty?
- Should aesthetic appreciation be part of education?
