Speaking: keeping the conversation going
The shape of the test
The Level 1 speaking test is a short, friendly interview plus one or two picture or role-play tasks. You will be asked about yourself, your family, your work or studies and your free time, and you may have to describe a picture, ask for something in a shop or give simple directions. Examiners reward communication: can you keep going and make yourself understood?
What to practise
- Answer plus one extra sentence. Never stop at one word. “I live in Rome. It’s a big city, but I like it.”
- Question forms, because role plays need you to ask: How much is it? Where is the station? Can I have a coffee, please?
- Functional phrases for problems: Sorry, could you repeat that? I don’t understand. How do you spell that?
- Picture language: in the middle, on the left, in the background, he is wearing, they are playing.
- Clear pronunciation matters more than a perfect accent: slow down, finish your word endings and stress the important word.
Traps to watch
- One-word answers, or silence while you search for the perfect word - say something simpler instead.
- A memorised speech that does not answer the actual question.
- Forgetting to ask your question in a role play.
- Speaking so quietly that the examiner cannot hear you.
- Mixing he and she, or is and are, when describing a picture.
Worked example
Question: “Do you like your job?” Weak: “Yes.” Strong: “Yes, I like it a lot because I work with people and every day is different.” One reason is enough to turn an answer into a real answer.