Speaking
Speaking: what the test checks
The Speaking test is a short face-to-face interview, about 3–5 minutes, with four parts. It checks whether a young learner can understand simple questions and respond with words, phrases or short sentences. The examiner uses a picture booklet and everyday topics: name, age, family, toys, animals, food, colours, numbers and positions. Reading and writing are not tested here. Clear communication matters more than perfect grammar.
Core format and rules
- Part 1: greetings and personal information. The examiner asks 'Hello. What's your name?' and 'How old are you?'
- Part 2: picture scene. The child points to objects and names them; the examiner asks 'What's this?' and 'What colour is it?'
- Part 3: picture scene with questions such as 'Where's the cat?', 'Who is ...?' and 'How many ...?'
- Part 4: personal questions about likes, favourites and possessions: 'What's your favourite fruit?', 'Do you like ...?', 'Have you got ...?'
Answers can be one word or a short phrase. For 'Where ...?' use a position word: in, on, under, behind or next to. For 'How many ...?' give a number. For 'What colour ...?' give a colour, not the object name. If you do not understand, it is fine to say 'Sorry?' or 'Can you repeat, please?' The examiner will repeat or prompt.
Worked example
The examiner points to a picture of a cat under a table and asks: 'Where's the cat?'
Reasoning: the question asks for position, not the animal. The cat is below the table, so the answer is 'Under the table.' A one-word answer 'table' names the wrong thing. A full sentence 'The cat is under the table' is also correct, but not required.
Traps that cost marks
- Answering a different question. 'What colour is the ball?' needs 'Red', not 'Ball'.
- Giving 'yes' or 'no' to a 'What ...?' question. Listen for the question word.
- Staying silent when unsure. A guess or a request for repetition keeps the interaction going.
- Using the wrong position word. 'On' and 'under' are not interchangeable; check the picture.
- Forgetting plural forms. 'How many cats?' may need 'Three cats' or just 'Three'; 'cat' alone is incomplete.