10 Speaking Questions: Part 2 (Long turn) | B2 First (FCE)
B2 (FCE): What’s in the Speaking paper?
- Part 1 (Interview)
- Part 2 (Long turn)
- Part 3 (Collaborative task)
- Part 4 (Discussion)
B2 (FCE): What’s in Part 2?
The examiner give you two photographs and asks you to talk about them. You have to speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to comment on your photographs for about 30 seconds.
This section is called the ‘long turn’ because you will have to speak
about two photographs for one minute without interruption. You will
have to compare the photographs and then make a further comment on them.
The interlocutor will tell you what you need to do, but there will also be a written prompt, in the form of a direct question, above the photographs. Pay attention to this; it is very important to remember not just to compare the photographs, but to also answer the question.
Once your turn has finished, you should continue to listen carefully to your partner’s turn because the examiner will ask you to comment briefly on something related to their photographs and what they have discussed.
B2 First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 Video
CAE, FCE, CPE
Speaking Practice (On-line)
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Use our base of questions/topics to prepare for your speaking exam
B2 (FCE): Example questions/topics
You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
Why might each situation be stressful?
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Why might people be afraid of these things?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in these two places?
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Which do you think is a more serious problem?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
How are the people’s environments making them feel?
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What reasons might these people have for moving abroad?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
Which environmental problem do you believe is the most serious?
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Why are these things important for the protection of the environment?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
Which sport is more interesting for people to watch?
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Which of these sports do you think is the most challenging?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
How influential are these forms of media?
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What makes an occasion special?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
Which photo represents a more serious crime and why?
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Why might someone break these rules?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
How important is to be fit?
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Why did the people choose to dress this way?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
Why are these forms of technology important to people?
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Which of these inventions have affected our lives the most and why?
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You have to speak for I minute without interruption. The examiner will give you two photographs and you have to compare and contrast them as well as talk about your reaction to them.
Which of these natural disasters is easiest to prepare for?
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Why would somebody decide to live in these places?
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FCE, CAE, CPE
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B2 (FCE): FAQ Speaking Part 2
How long do I have to speak?
1 minute per candidate
How can I practise?
- Set a timer for one minute. (You could use a kitchen timer, the clock app on your mobile phone, or search online for “one minute timer”.)
- Prepare to record yourself. (There is a free and simple software for most mobile phones and computers which you can use to record your voice.)
- Look at the pictures, Talk about the ways they are similar to or different from each other.
- Start the timer, start recording, and speak about the photos until the timer rings.
- This is a practice run and not a test. Record your speaking a few times until you’re happy with your speaking and the recording.
- Save your favourite recording. You will come back to it later.
Useful vocabulary
| In the second picture, we can see… As for the question…* Rather than… In the first/second picture, there’s… He/she seems to be… To begin with, … In both cases… | The first picture is… …whereas… The most obvious difference is… Overall, … …while… For the first/second picture… It looks as though… |