Here are seven questions to answer aloud, from the speaking interview section. Speak first, then open the model.
Questions 1 to 2: extend with a reason
1. “What is your favourite place in your town?”
Answer
A model answer: “My favourite place is the town library because it is quiet and cool. I go there on Saturdays to read comics and finish my homework.” The answer has a direct reply, a reason and a detail.
2. Extend: “I like cooking.”
Answer
“I like cooking because I can make something for my family. Last Sunday I cooked fried rice for everyone.” The reason follows the answer and the detail is a real recent event.
Questions 3 to 4: speak without a script
3. Give four keywords for the topic “my school day”.
Answer
Possible keywords: bus, assembly, canteen, football. Use any two to answer a question such as “What is your day like?” in two natural sentences.
4. The interviewer asks something your memorised answer does not cover. What do you do?
Answer
Listen to the new question, choose two keywords that fit it and answer in fresh sentences. Do not recite the memorised answer, since it will not address the question.
Questions 5 to 7: clarify and plan
5. You did not hear the question. What do you say?
Answer
“Sorry, could you repeat that, please?” Say it calmly, once, and then answer the question.
6. The interviewer asks, “What motivates you to study?” and you do not know “motivates”. What do you say?
Answer
“Sorry, what does ‘motivates’ mean, please?” After the meaning is explained, you might answer: “I study because I want to become a nurse. My aunt is a nurse and I admire her work.”
7. Answer with two planning phrases: “Is it good to study in a group?”
Answer
“That is an interesting question. In my opinion, group study is good because friends can explain things in simple ways. For example, my friend showed me how to do a map question last week.”
If you got these wrong
- Questions 1 and 2: revisit extending a personal answer with a reason.
- Questions 3 and 4: revisit speaking clearly without memorised scripts.
- Questions 5 and 6: revisit handling a request for clarification.
- Question 7: revisit reducing long pauses with planning phrases.
Use the speaking rehearsal tool to record your answers on your own device. To practise with a teacher who answers back, see online one-to-one English tuition.