Aptis Speaking Practice

Part 4
What is part 4?
- Aptis speaking part 4 is aimed at level B2 on the CEFR
- You will see a picture on the screen and 3 questions
- You have 1 minute to prepare your answers for the 3 questions
- You then have 2 minutes to answer these questions by speaking into a microphone
Points to remember
- Answer all 3 questions. Only answering 1 or 2 will lower your score
- Stay on topic. Not doing so will lower your score
- Use a variety of grammatical structures and vocabulary (see below)
- Speak clearly, at a normal pace, not too fast. Dont use too many pauses in the sentences
- Use a variety of cohesive devices. These help to link ideas (see below)
- Dont panic. Use the 1-minute preparation time to write down ideas
More Tips for Speaking

You need to answer the questions fully and talk more, as quite a lot say I dont know
about it or I have nothing to say or just answer Yes/No. Try to elaborate whenever
you can.
Try not to repeat things youve said. Expand upon your answers and move the topic
forward.
Practice describing pictures / comparing two pictures. Even if you feel you dont have
the right vocabulary, try to speak impromptu, and explain whatever ideas you have.
In the long turn (...1 min. preparation 2 min. speech) dont spend the preparation
time on writing full sentences because this will only be enough for 20-30 seconds. Just
write bullet points (single words) which will act as a prompt for you to talk about more
freely. If you dont fill 2 minutes you will not get the full score.
Answer the question accurately. For example, if the question says Tell me about a
musical festival in your country dont talk about festivals generally it should only
be a music festival. Or, Tell me about a close relative of yours the question is
actually about ONE relative and not all of your family.
Overall, try not to feel nervous while speaking; exams can actually be an enjoyable
experience.
Finally, speak confidently and clearly. You will be fine!

Contributed by Stephen Sharpe

Photos taken from www.freedigitalphotos.net
The British Council, 2014
The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.

Aptis Speaking Practice

Part 4

Example Grammar
At this level, this includes:
adjectives and adverbs
future continous/perfect
conditional sentences (If I were, I would; If I hadnt, I would have)
modals (cant have, must have)
narrative tenses (I was waiting for the bus, when I saw my next door neighbour)
habits in the past (I used to live in Tokyo. We would eat sushi every day.)
predictions using will and going to

Example Cohesive Devices

Giving examples
such as
for example/instance
like
in particular

Adding another point

also
furthermore, in addition
not only this, but also
another thing/point is

Giving reasons
because
one of the reasons (why) is that
another reason is
some people may think/say that

Ordering your ideas

to start with
first/second of all
firstly/secondly
finally

Example Questions
Part 4
In this part, I am going to show you a picture and ask you three questions. You will have one
minute to think about your answers before you start speaking. You will have two minutes to
answer all three questions. Look at the photograph.

Contributed by Stephen Sharpe

Photos taken from www.freedigitalphotos.net
The British Council, 2014
The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.

Aptis Speaking Practice

Part 4

- Tell me about a time you went on a long journey.

- How did you feel about it?
- Why do you think people are doing more long distance travelling nowadays?

Part 4
In this part, I am going to show you a picture and ask you three questions. You will have one
minute to think about your answers before you start speaking. You will have two minutes to
answer all three questions. Look at the photograph.

- Tell me about a time when you were very busy.

- How did you feel about it?
- Why do you think people are so busy nowadays?

Contributed by Stephen Sharpe

Photos taken from www.freedigitalphotos.net
The British Council, 2014
The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.