What’s in Speaking Part 3 (Collaborative)? | B2 First (FCE)
(FCE) B2 First Speaking: All parts
- Part 1 (Interview)
- Part 2 (Long turn)
- Part 3 (Collaborative task)
- Part 4 (Discussion)
(FCE) B2 First Speaking: Part 3 – Format
FCE speaking part 3 is a conversation with the other candidate. The examiner will ask you speaking questions (you will receive some material and a task to do). You have to talk with the other candidate and make a decision.
Fce speaking part 3 is called the ‘collaborative task’ because the two candidates have to work together and have a discussion about a number of options, represented by photos or images, that the interlocutor presents to them.
The interlocutor will tell you what you need to do, but there will also be written prompts, in the form of questions, above the photographs or images you will have to discuss. You should talk together about each photo/image and then come to a decision. You will not be penalised for failing to reach an agreement on a decision so long as you have discussed all of the options well.
CAE, FCE, CPE
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(FCE) B2 First Speaking: Part 3 – Speaking Questions
Below you will find sample speaking questions that may appear on the Cambridge exam:
How entertaining is each type of TV show?
Which two types of show should a TV network add to its programming?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each activity?
Which activity would everyone enjoy?
What are the advantages of living in each place?
To which place should your friend move for the summer?
How important is each of the topics for teenagers to learn about?
Which two would you include in your talk?
How beneficial and enjoyable would each sport be?
Which two sports would attract the most people to the centre?
How effective is each kind of advertising?
Which two forms of advertising will you use in your campaign?
How could each of these activities might benefit children?
Which two activities should your school offer?
How appropriate is each outfit for a job interview?
Which outfit would be the most appropriate for each friend?
How has each form of technology improved everyday life?
Which two are the most important to include in your presentation?
How useful would each option be for the whole community?
Which option would be the best?
FCE, CAE, CPE
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(FCE) B2 First Speaking: Part 3 – Tips
Below you will find some useful tips that will make it easier for you to pass the FCE speaking part 3:
Discuss with the other candidate, not with yourself: you may think that the more extensive your statement is, the better. This is not true. The most important thing is what you say and how you work with your conversation partner.- Always try to justify your opinion and ideas. Thanks to this, you can show that you can communicate in English. In addition to presenting yourself well, you will give the other candidate the opportunity to respond more extensively, and consequently, your dialogue will be more successful.
- Try to provide more than one opinion on a topic. This will give you a better chance of showing that you can interact with your partner in conversation. For this reason, it is worth enriching your statement to have more opportunities to argue and agree.
- Cooperate with your conversation partner. This is not your enemy. Each of you will have a separate grade, but the better your dialogue is, the better grades you will get.
- Help your partner. When you see that the other candidate is having trouble expressing his ideas and has forgotten the right words, you can help him come up with a few that you think might be useful to him. Thanks to this, you will keep the conversation on the right level. In addition, you will show the examiner that you have extensive knowledge and good communication skills.
- Show off your interaction skills. In Fce speaking part 3, you will have to ask for opinions and be able to agree or disagree with your partner. You should learn the appropriate dialogue expressions so that you can interact with the other candidate e.g. “Wouldn’t you agree?” or “I’m afraid I don’t share the same opinion.”
- Be brief and let your partner answer. You must remember that you are discussing the issue with the other candidate, not alone. It’s supposed to be a dialogue, not a monologue. If you only speak, you will show the examiner that you are unable to interact and your communication skills are low.
- Talk about what the examiner asked you. Do not change the subject. It is worth ending your statement with a question, for example: And what do you think about it?” Thanks to this, you will naturally maintain the conversation and interact with the other candidate.
- Talk to your partner. Remember that you are talking to the other candidate and not the examiner. During the conversation, look at him and imagine that the examiner is not next to you. It will also make you less stressed.
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(FCE) B2 First Speaking: Part 3 – FAQ
What do I have to practise?
Exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc.
How long do I have to speak?
3 minutes (a 2-minute discussion followed by a 1-minute decision-making task)