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Oral Exam Tips: English IV

This document provides tips and sample language for candidates taking an oral exam with three parts: 1) describing a photo, 2) discussing options presented in a simulated situation, and 3) listening to a partner's description of their photo. For part 1, candidates should introduce the photo, describe places, people, actions, and make inferences about feelings and roles. For part 2, they should make suggestions, respond to suggestions, discuss alternatives, and give opinions. For part 3, they listen without helping as their partner describes their photo. The document emphasizes organizing descriptions, giving reasons, including others, and focusing on the task.

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Jonathan Cuba
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65 views7 pages

Oral Exam Tips: English IV

This document provides tips and sample language for candidates taking an oral exam with three parts: 1) describing a photo, 2) discussing options presented in a simulated situation, and 3) listening to a partner's description of their photo. For part 1, candidates should introduce the photo, describe places, people, actions, and make inferences about feelings and roles. For part 2, they should make suggestions, respond to suggestions, discuss alternatives, and give opinions. For part 3, they listen without helping as their partner describes their photo. The document emphasizes organizing descriptions, giving reasons, including others, and focusing on the task.

Uploaded by

Jonathan Cuba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ORAL EXAM TIPS

English IV

PART 2: DESCRIBING A PHOTO (1-11/2 MINUTES PER


CANDIDATE)

In this part, each candidate talks on his/her own about a colour photo for
about a minute while the other candidate just listens. The two photos are on a
shared topic but each candidate only talks about their own photo.

Some useful language:


HOW TO :
GIVE A GENERAL INTRODUCTION

This picture shows .


In this picture I can see....
This is a picture of ..
TALK ABOUT PLACES

Theyre driving in the country/in a city/in the mountains


Shes sitting inside/outside a caf
I can see a street market/old building/square/ street/restaurant/beach .
DESCRIBE PEOPLES AGE

Hes about 50 years old.


Theyre in their twenties
Shes a teenager/a young child/a middle aged woman.

DESCRIBE PEOPLES CLOTHES

Shes waring a pair of shorts and a red Tshirt


Theyre wearing quite casual/smart clothes
Hes wearing a uniform
DESCRIBE PEOPLES ACTIONS

Hes sitting at a desk


Shes standing in a queue
Theyre having a meal
Some people are sunbathing and others are swimming in the sea
DESCRIBE PEOPLES ROLES IN A PICTURE

Hes probably a shop assistant and shes a customer


This person on the left seems to be a tourist guide hes pointing to a building
The man serving the drinks is a waiter
DESCRIBE PEOPLES FEELINGS IN A PICTURE

You can tell they are enjoying themselves because they are smiling
He seems a bit frightened. Maybe this is the first time hes tried this
She looks very interested in this activity shes concentrating very hard

PARAPHRASE (use these phrases to describe words you dont know)

Its something you fry food in (frying pan)


Its a kind of container for flowers (a vase)
Its a cupboard for keeping clothes in (a wardrobe)
MAKE GUESSES

It might be summer because some people are wearing sunglasses


Its probably in the country, because
This picture could be in Northern Europe because of the buildings
DESCRIBE POSITION

In the middle of the picture there is a group


of people, probably tourists because
In the background there is a church
Theres a bookshelf next to/near/behind/in front of the door
REMEMBER!

Talk in sentences dont produce lists of items you can see


Organise your description dont describe the same thing more than once
Start with a general idea of the subject of the picture before going into details
Give reasons (related to the picture) for your ideas
Talk about the situation as well as the physical things you can see in the picture.
Give some personal reaction to the picture
Listen quietly when your partner describes his/her photo dont give help or comment.

PART 3: SIMULATED SITUATION (2-3 MINUTES)

In this part, the candidates talk to each other. The interlocutor describes a
situation which is illustrated on a sheet of paper and the candidates will have
to make suggestions and discuss aternatives.

Some useful language:


HOW TO :
MAKE SUGGESTIONS

How about going to the cinema?


Why dont we have a meal in that new restaurant?
We could stay in and watch a video.
Lets invite some friends round for dinner.
RESPOND TO SUGGESTIONS

Yeah, thats a great idea.


Yes, that sounds good.
Well, I think Id prefer to go to a disco.
Yes, OK
All right, I agree.

DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES

Which do you think is best?


Yes, thats possible.
Its difficult to decide but .
I think this is more useful because
It would be better to go to the cinema because

ASK FOR OPINIONS

What do you think about that?


Do you agree?
How do you feel about that?
GIVE YOUR OPINION

I think/I dont think thats a good idea


because
Personally, I think thats a terrible idea
because
In my opinion it would be better to stay in a hotel
because

AGREE AND DISAGREE

Thats what I think too


I agree.
Im not sure I agree with you.
Yes, youre right.
Well, thats true but .
Im sorry but I dont agree with you.

EXPRESS PREFERENCES

Id rather go to a campsite
Id like to stay in a youth hostel
Id prefer to go to a hotel
REMEMBER!
Listen carefully to the examiners instructions and focus on the picture in the middle,
which gives the key to the situation
Use the pictures round the outside as ideas for your discussion. Dont describe
them
Think about the type of situation is it directly about you or a third person? If its
about a third person, use he or she consistently
Start the discussion immediately, DONT waste time by giving the background to the
situation
Give reasons for your opinions/ideas
Make sure you give your partner an opportunity to participate equally in the
discussion. Dont dominate

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