Speaking - General Questions Tips
Essential strategies and common pitfalls to help you ace your Cambridge English exam.
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What to do
The examiner has a general conversation with you. They ask questions about your personal details, daily routines, likes, dislikes, etc.
The examiner asks you a question and you have to reply to the examiner. You don’t have to talk to your partner in this part of the exam.
Cambridge want to help you relax in the test so they start with some nice, easy questions. Don’t worry if you get off to a bad start – a lot of candidates start badly because they are nervous.
At the beginning of the Speaking Test, the examiner will ask you your name and where you come from. Keep your answers short at this stage of the test.
Don't beat around the bush. If you don’t know anything about a topic in the Speaking paper, do not talk about anything else! You need to show your language skills, not your knowledge about a specific subject.
You shouldn’t speak like a robot. So don’t write down answers to questions and memorise them. Instead, prepare a few ideas or vocabulary and speak naturally, as you would do in your own language.
What do I have to practise?
- Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion about various topics. This part of the test checks your ability to take part in everyday communication.