Test Questions 1 and 2

QUESTION 1: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

PRACTICE 1

Step 1

Read and think about the prompt below.

Everyone has situations that cause them anxiety, such as speaking in front of a large group, What situation do you find the most stressful? Why do you become stressed by it?

The sentences below make up a response to the question above. Identify and write the transitions you find.

(A) Knowing this, I get more and more nervous as the time passes.

(B) The most stressful situation for me is taking exams.

(C) Second, I worry about my-future.

(D) For example, if I fail an exam, I start to feel pressure that ! will not get into a good university.

(E) First, I never seem to be able to complete exams within the given time limit.

stressful: causing a lot of pressure or won
situation: a set of conditions at a particular time and place
time limit: an amount of time in which something needs to be done
pressure: a constraining force
complete: to finish

Look at the sentences again. Think of the role of each sentence in the response. Put the sentences in the right order.

Step 2

Do NOT look at the sentences in Step 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What situation causes the speaker to feel stressed?
2. What is one reason why this situation causes the speaker stress?
3. What is another reason why this situation causes the speaker stress?

Using the short answers you wrote above, try to speak for 60 seconds explaining the speaker’s response. Use the words and phrases below while you are speaking. Time yourself and record the time below.

• second
• if
• for example
• and
• first
• that

Response 1: Speaking time: __________ seconds

Step 3

Now listen to a sample response. How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

Step 4

Now write your own answers to these questions.

1. What is a situation that you find stressful?
2. What is one reason this situation causes you stress?
3. What is another reason this situation causes you stress?

Using the short answers you wrote above, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 3 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

Everyone has situations that cause them anxiety, such as speaking in front of a large group. What situation, do you find the most stressful? Why do you become stressed by it?

Response 2: Speaking time: __________ seconds

QUESTION 1: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

PRACTICE 2

Step 1

Read and think about the prompt below.

Describe you favorite game or sport, and explain way you enjoy it.

 The sentences below make up a response to the question above. Identify and write the transitions you find.

(A) There is always excitement and activity while playing soccer

(B) Also I like it because it is straightforward to play.

(C) I love soccer because it is a fast game.

(D) Once you have those things, you can easily have a recreational game of soccer.

(E) You just need a field, a bail, and some friends to get a match going

(F) My favorite sport is soccer.

excitement: something that excites
activity: a situation where people are busy
straightforward: direct or uncomplicated; easy to understand
match: a game
recreational: done or used for enjoyment

Look at the sentences again. Think of the role of each sentence in the response. Put the sentences in the right order.

Step 2

Do NOT look at the sentences in Step 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the speaker’s favorite game or sport?
2. What is one reason the speaker gives for enjoying this game or sport so much?
3. What is another reason the speaker gives for enjoying this game or sport so much?

Using the short answers you wrote above, try to speak for 60 seconds explaining the speaker’s response. Use the words and phrases below while you are speaking. Time yourself and record the time.

Response 1: Speaking time: ___________ seconds

Step 3

Now listen to a sample response. How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

Step 4

Now write your own answers to these questions.

1. What game or sport do you enjoy the most?
2. What is one reason you enjoy this game or sport so much?
3. What is another reason you enjoy this game or sport so much?

Using the short answers you wrote above, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 3 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

Describe your favorite game or sport and explain why you enjoy it.

Response 2: Speaking time: ________ seconds

QUESTION 1: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

PRACTICE 3

Step 1

Read and think about the prompt below.

If you could purchase one expensive item right now, what would it be and why?

A sample outline of a response is given below. Write down transition words or phrases that can be used in linking these ideas.

Expensive item: laptop computer

• Reason 1: It would be useful.
• Reason 2: It would be portable.

Transition words:

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt above. Time yourself and record the time.
Response 1: Speaking time: ________ seconds

Step 2

Now listen to a sample response. How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

expensive: costly; very high-priced
homework: schoolwork that is assigned to done outside of the classroom
laptop: a portable computer that folds in half and can fit on one’s lap
portable: easily carried and moved from place to place
light: not weighing much

Step 3

Now give a spoken response to the prompt without listening to the sample. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 2 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

Response 2: Speaking time: __________ seconds

Step 4

Make up your own outline for the prompt. Try to incorporate transition words and useful words or phrases introduced earlier in the practice.

Expensive item: __________

• Reason 1: __________
• Reason 2: __________

Transition words: __________

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Time yourself and record the time.

If you could purchase one expensive item right now, what would it be and why?

Response 3: Speaking time: _________ seconds

QUESTION 1: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

PRACTICE 4

Step 1

Read and think about the prompt below.

Describe your favorite childhood memory. Why is it so special to you?

A sample outline of a response is given below. Write down transition words or phrases that can be used in linking these ideas.

Childhood memory: going to the beach

• Reason 1: It was the first time seeing the ocean.
• Reason 2: It was the first time fishing.

Transition words:

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt above. Time yourself and record the time.
Response 1: Speaking time: ________ seconds

Step 2

Now listen to a sample response. How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

memory: a mental impression of an event in the past
impression: the first and immediate effect of experience
vast: of very great area
fishing: the sport or business of catching fish
enormous: very large in size

Step 3

Now give a spoken response to the prompt without listening to the sample. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 2 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

Response 2: Speaking time: _________ seconds

Step 4

Make your own outline for the prompt. Try to incorporate transition words and useful phrases introduced earlier in the practice.

Childhood memory:___________

• Reason 1: ___________
• Reason 2:____________

Transition words: ___________

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Time yourself and record the time.
Describe your favorite childhood memory. Why is it so special to you?

Response 3: Speaking time: __________ seconds

QUESTION 2: PERSONAL PREFERENCE

PRACTICE 1

Step 1

Read and think about the prompt below.

Some people prefer to have many friends while others prefer to have just one or close friends. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

The sentences below make up a response to the question above. Read the sentences, identify and write the transitions you find.

(A) When I had a lot of friends, it seemed like they were always getting into arguments with each other.

(B) That way I can develop lifelong friendships with them.

(C) Also, having a lot of friends can cause problems.

(D) I can spend more time with a few close friends and get to know them really well.

(E) I prefer to have just a few close friends instead of many friends.

instead: in place of
spend time: to take time doing something
develop: to cause to grow
lifelong: lasting throughout all or much of one’s life
argument: an oral disagreement

Look at the sentences again. Think of the role of each sentence in the response. Put the sentences in the right order.

Step 2

Do NOT look at the sentences in Step 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the speaker’s opinion about how many friends a person should have?
2. What is one of the reasons the speaker gives for having this opinion?
3. What is another reason the speaker gives for having this opinion?

Using the short answers you wrote above, try to speak for 60 seconds explaining the speaker’s response. Use the words and phrases below while you are speaking. Time yourself and record the time below.

• instead of
• and
• also
• because
• when

Response: Speaking time: __________ seconds

Step 3

Now listen to a sample response. How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

Step 4

Now write your own answers to these questions.

1. What is your opinion on whether it is better to have many friends or just a few close friends?
2. What is one reason for your opinion on the subject?
3. What is another reason for your opinion on the subject?

Using the short answers you wrote above, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 3 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

Some people prefer to have many friends, while others prefer to have just one or two close friends. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Response 2: Speaking time: _________ seconds

QUESTION 2: PERSONAL PREFERENCE

PRACTICE 2

Step 1

Read and think about the prompt below.

While at university, is it better to take courses in many different fields or to take many courses in the same field? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

The sentences below make up a response to the prompt above. Read the sentences, and identify and write the transitions you find.

(A) I am certain that I would get tired of constantly studying the same thing, even if it was something I really liked.

(B) I will be able to learn about new things.

(C) I think it is better to take many different courses at university.

(D) In addition, I will be able to meet people who have different interests than me.

(E) First, it is an opportunity to gain a lot of knowledge.

different: not the same as another thing
opportunity: a chance to do something
gain: to get as a result of one’s efforts
select: to choose something
certain: free from doubt

Look at the sentences again. Think of the role of each sentence in the response. Put the sentences in the right order.

Step 2

Do NOT look at the sentences in Step 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the speaker’s opinion on whether it is better to take courses in many different fields or many courses in the same field while at university?
2. What is one reason the speaker gives for having this opinion?
3. What is another reason the speaker gives for having this opinion?

Using the short answers you wrote above, try to speak for 60 seconds explaining the speaker’s response. Use the words and phrases below while you are speaking. Time yourself and record the time below.

• as
• even if
• in addition
• about
• while
• to

Response 1: Speaking time: _________ seconds

Step 3

Now listen to a sample response. How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

Step 4

Now write your own answers to these questions.

1. What is your opinion on whether it is better to take courses in many different fields or matey courses in the same field at university?
2. What is one reason for your opinion about the subject?
3. What is another reason for your opinion about the subject?

Using the short answers you wrote above, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 3 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

While at university, is it better to take courses in many different fields or many courses in the same field? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Response 2: Speaking time: _________ seconds

QUESTION 2: PERSONAL PREFERENCE

PRACTICE 3

Read and think about the prompt below.

Is it better to make detailed plans for a vacation or travel without a definite plan? Use specific details and examples to support your answer.

A sample outline of a response is given below. Write down transition words or phrases that can be used in linking these ideas.

Vacation: Detailed plans

• Reason 1: You will not waste time.
• Reason 2: You will have what is needed.

Transition words: ___________

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt above. Time yourself and record the time.

Response 1: Speaking time: __________ seconds

Step 2

Now listen to a sample responses How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

detailed: including many small facts
waste: to consume needlessly
figure out: to solve
arrive: to come to a certain point
secure: to obtain

Step 3

Now give a spoken response to the prompt without listening to the sample. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 2 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

Response 2: Speaking time: __________ seconds

Step 4

Make your own outline for the prompt. Try to incorporate transition words and useful phrases introduced earlier in the practice.

Vacation: __________

• Reason 1: ____________
• Reason 2: ____________

Transition words: ____________

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Time yourself and record the time

Is it better to make detailed plans for a vacation or travel without a definite plan? Use specific details and examples to support your answer.

Response 3: Speaking time: __________ seconds

QUESTION 2: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

PRACTICE 4

Step 1

Read and think about the prompt below.

Do you think it is better to be an only child or to have brothers and sisters?. Use specific details and examples to support your answer.

A sample outline of a response is given below. Write down transition words or phrases that can be used in linking these ideas.

Better to: Have brothers and sisters

• Reason 1: You will not be lonely.
• Reason 2: They will help you.

Transition words: _________

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt above. Time yourself and record the time.

Response 1: Speaking time: __________ seconds

Step 2

Now listen to a sample response. How is this response different from yours? What parts of the response can you use in your own? Write down any helpful expressions used in the sample response.

only: being the single one
sibling: a brother or sister
lonely: unhappy because you are alone
together: being with other people
count on: to depend on

Step 3

Now give a spoken response to the prompt without listening to the sample. Try to incorporate helpful expressions from Step 2 while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.

Response 2: Speaking time: __________ seconds

Step 4

Make up your own outline for the prompt. Try to incorporate transition words and useful phrases introduced earlier in the practice.

Better to: __________

• Reason 1:__________
• Reason 2: __________

Transition words: __________

Using this outline, give a spoken response to the prompt below. Time yourself and record the time.

Do you think it is better to be an only child or to have brothers and sisters? Use specific details and examples to support your answer.

Response 3: Speaking time: ___________ seconds