OTE SPEAKING PRACTICE LESSON 2 - Students’ copy

Speaking Part 1. Interview.

Tip: Listen carefully for the topic of each set of three questions
Each set of three questions begins with the phrase ‘I’m going to ask you
some questions about …’ plus the topic. For example, ‘I’m going to ask you
some questions about your free time.’ Listen carefully for the topic for each
set of questions – this will help you understand each of the three questions.

Exercise 2
Read the sets of questions below and complete the gaps.
Set 1: I’m going to ask you some questions about ______________________.
• Can you describe something you have read that you really enjoyed?
• Do you prefer reading e-books or reading real books?
• What things can you do to improve your reading in English?
Set 2: I’m going to ask you some questions about ______________________.
• What did you do on your last holiday?
• Which would you prefer: one long holiday each year or a lot of short holidays?
• Where would you like to go on holiday in the future?
Set 3: I’m going to ask you some questions about ______________________.
• What do you like doing with your friends?
• Tell me how you met your best friend.
• When do you prefer to be with friends, and when with your family?

Speaking Part 2 - Voicemails

Exercise 2
Read this Voicemail 1 task and the responses from two students, Peter and Alice.
Highlight words in their responses which are copied from the task. Then decide which
answer is better.

You recently went to a library. You think you left your bag in the library. Leave
a voicemail message for the library manager and:
• explain who you are
• describe your bag and what’s in it
• say what you would like the library manager to do.

Peter
Hello. My name’s Peter Horvat. I was studying in the library this morning. When I got
home I realised I didn’t have my rucksack. It’s black with yellow straps. Inside there are
two notebooks with my name on. Please could you ring me on this number if anyone has
found it? Thanks.

Alice
Hello. My name’s Alice Cho. I recently went to your library and I think I left my bag in the
library. My bag is blue and there are some books in it. I would like the library manager to
keep my bag in the reception. Thank you.

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Speaking Part 3: Talk
Tip: Organize your talk
Organizing your talk well will help to improve your mark. One way to
organize your talk is to use the four-stage approach below:

Stage 1: briefly say what your talk is about

Stage 2: talk about the ideas in one of the photographs
Stage 3: talk about the ideas in another photograph
Stage 4: give a brief conclusion.

You only have one minute to give your talk, so don’t spend too long on your introduction,
or you won’t have time to give the rest of the talk.

Exercise 2
Match the four stages of a talk with examples of what different students said.
Stage 1: briefly say what your talk is about Set ______
Stage 2: talk about the ideas in one of the photographs Set ______
Stage 3: talk about the ideas in another photograph Set ______
Stage 4: give a brief conclusion Set ______

Set A Set B
• Comparing the two, I would have to • Just as important as money is friendship. While
say that friends are the most money can buy most things, it can’t buy you real
important thing for a good life. friends.
• So in summary, I’d have to say that • Another important thing for a good life is friendship.
money is essential for a good life A good friend will help you when you’re in trouble, tell
above all else. you when you’re wrong, and inspire you to do better.
• In conclusion, while money is • The other important thing is money. Money gives
without doubt important, friendship is you security so that you can do what you want in life.
what matters most in life.

Set C Set D
• Today I’m going to be exploring what • The most important thing is money.
the ingredients for a good life are. If you think something else is more important, then
• Hi. I’m going to talk about why I think you’ve never been poor.
friends and money are the most • Firstly, I believe that friendship is one of the most
important things for a good life. important things for a good life. Obviously friends are
• Hello everyone. One of the most there to have fun with, but they are also someone you
important questions in life is ‘What can talk to when you are in trouble or upset.
makes a good life?’ and today I’m • First of all, I think money is the key to a good life. As
going to be answering that question. well as providing for your basic needs, you can use
money to buy yourself an education, or help your
friends and family.

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 Speaking Part 4: Follow-up questions

Exercise 1
Read the Follow-up questions (1–6) and the responses from a student, Wolfgang. Match the
responses (a–f ) to the follow-up questions.
1. Your talk was about looking after the environment. Tell me about what people you
know do to look after the environment.
2. Why do you think some people don’t care about looking after the environment?
3. Some people say that tourism is always bad for the environment. Do you agree?
4. In some cities, people have to pay money to drive their car into the city centre. Is this
a good thing?
5. Some people think problems with the environment will get worse in the future. What
do you think?
6. If someone wanted to visit a beautiful place in the countryside in your country, what
advice would you give?

a. To be honest, I don’t really. Some negative things often come from it, but …
b. There are a lot to choose from, but what I’d probably recommend is this: …
c. I’m not sure about my friends, but my family do various things. For example, …
d. We can’t be sure what’s going to happen, but I’m quite optimistic because …
e. I’m not sure what the reason for this is, because it’s important for everyone. Maybe …
f. Yes, it could be. In fact, I know they already do this in some places and …

Exercise 2
Read how Wolfgang continues his answers to three of the questions. Match them with the
correct responses in Exercise 1.
A. it seems to me that it’s an excellent way to reduce traffic problems. If it’s expensive to
drive into the city centre, it encourages drivers to leave their cars at home.
B. in my opinion, we know more and more about things like global warming and climate
change, and more and more of us realise we have to do something about these
problems.
C. we recycle a lot of things every day at home. Also, we’re careful with the electricity
we use. We always switch lights off when we’re not using them. My mum cycles to
work and my sister and I walk to school.

Exercise 3

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 Now, read the responses again and highlight words and phrases that Wolfgang uses to give
opinions, and to explain his ideas and opinions.Then, complete the responses to questions 2, 3
and 6 with your own ideas.

Questions Responses

1. Your talk was about looking after I’m not sure about my friends but my
the environment. Tell me about what people
family do various things. For example, we recycle a
you know do to look after the lot of things every day at home. Also, we’re careful
environment. with the electricity we use. We always switch lights
off when we’re not using them. My mum cycles to
work and my sister and I walk to school.

Why do you think some people I’m not sure what the reason for this is because it’s
don’t care about looking after the important for everyone. Maybe …
environment?

Some people say that tourism is To be honest, I don’t really. Some negative things
always bad for the environment. often come from it but …
Do you agree?

In some cities, people have to pay Yes, it could be. In fact, I know they already do
money to drive their car into the city this in some places and it seems to me that it’s
centre. Is this a good thing? an excellent way to reduce traffic problems.
If it’s expensive to drive into the city centre, it
encourages drivers to leave their cars at home.

Some people think problems with d. We can’t be sure what’s going to happen but I’m
the environment will get worse in quite optimistic because, in my opinion, we know
the future. What do you think? more and more about things like global warming
and climate change, and more and more of us
realize we have to do something about these
problems.

If someone wanted to visit a b. There are a lot to choose from but what I’d
beautiful place in the countryside in probably recommend is this: …
Your country, what advice would
you give?