Speaking: Four Parts, Interactive Performance
Speaking is Paper 4 of B2 First for Schools. It lasts 14 minutes, has four parts and is worth 20% of the total score. There are two candidates and two examiners: one conducts the test, the other assesses. Part 1 is an interview about familiar topics. Part 2 is a long turn: each candidate compares two photographs for one minute, then responds for 30 seconds to the partner’s photos. Part 3 is a collaborative task: a two-minute discussion followed by a one-minute decision. Part 4 is a discussion linked to the Part 3 topic. Candidates are marked on Grammar and Vocabulary, Discourse Management, Pronunciation and Interactive Communication.
Core rules
- Part 2 compares, not describes. Use structures such as Both photos show…, whereas, unlike and One difference is….
- Speculate. The task often asks for a reaction or an opinion, so use might, could, seems to and looks as if.
- Organise the long turn. A short opening, two or three comparisons, then a brief personal response gives a coherent minute.
- Part 3 is collaborative. Invite your partner, respond to their idea and move the discussion toward a decision; do not dominate or stay silent.
- Part 4 rewards extension. Give a reason or example after each answer rather than a single sentence.
Worked example
Part 2 photos: one shows students on a museum trip; the other shows a school football match.
A strong response: Both photos show school activities, but they differ in atmosphere. In the first, the students are listening quietly and taking notes, whereas in the second, the players look much more energetic. The museum trip seems more educational, while the match is probably more fun for people who enjoy sport. I’d prefer the trip because I like learning outside the classroom.
Reasoning: the candidate explicitly compares (both, differ, whereas, while), uses present continuous for description, modals for speculation and ends with a personal reaction. That covers comparison, language range and discourse management in one minute without describing each photo separately.
Traps that cost marks
- Describing photo one, then photo two, with no comparison language.
- Giving one-word or one-sentence answers in Parts 1 and 4.
- Dominating Part 3 or ignoring the partner’s contribution.
- Using a memorised speech that does not fit the photographs or the question.
- Letting pronunciation errors obscure meaning, especially word stress and final consonants.