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Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) – Speaking
The B1 PET Speaking test has four parts. These parts have different tasks that show the speaking skills of the candidates. Here’s some general information about the B1 PET Speaking test:
- It lasts for 10-12 minutes.
- It has 4 parts.
- Candidates take it in pairs.
- Two examiners check how you do.
- In the test, you talk to the other candidate and one of the examiners, called the Interlocutor.
- The other examiner, the Assessor, only watches and does not talk.
Now, let’s understand each part:
PET Speaking: Part 1
In the first part, you talk about yourself. You’ll answer questions about your name, where you come from, what you do, and more.
This part takes 2-3 minutes and has two phases.
In Phase 1:
- The Interlocutor says hello and asks for the mark sheets.
- They introduce themselves and the Assessor.
- They start asking you questions.
This part is always the same. So, you can think about your answers before the test. But don’t memorize everything. If you do, you won’t sound natural.
In Phase 2, you get more questions about your hobbies, what you like, what you’ve done, and more. These questions can change, but you will always talk about yourself.
PET Speaking: Part 2
In the second part, which is also 2-3 minutes, you describe a picture for about a minute. Each candidate gets a different picture. You don’t need to talk to the other candidate here.
The goal is to describe the picture without guessing too much. The pictures are of everyday things that B1 students should know.
PET Speaking: Part 3
In the third part, you and the other candidate have a conversation to decide something. First, the Interlocutor provides instructions for the task and shows you a series of pictures to get ideas. Then, you and the other candidate engage in a conversation for 2-3 minutes. The Interlocutor may interrupt to finish this part and start the next one. It’s essential for both candidates to talk together, engaging in a conversation rather than merely taking turns speaking.
PET Speaking: Part 4
In the last part, the Interlocutor asks questions related to Part 3. They might ask only one candidate or both. This makes the conversation feel natural.
Example of a real PET Speaking exam
You can see how the exam works in this video:
Tips before the exam
Practice speaking English regularly
Speaking English alone, with classmates, friends, or family regularly will help you improve your confidence and fluency. Try to practise talking about the different topics on the list above. When there is a word that you cannot say in English, look it up in the dictionary and write it in a list.
Work on your vocabulary
Try to keep a list of words you learn while practising your speaking. Also, learn new vocabulary about the topics on the list and try to use it when you are speaking.
Read and listen regularly
The most effective way to improve your range of vocabulary and grammar is to read and listen to English regularly. Those students who can do that over a long time learn much faster. You don’t need to spend hours reading or listening, just a few minutes, but do it every day or couple of days.
Be prepared
Review the exam format, questions, and language expressions in advance to feel more relaxed and confident on exam day.
Tips during the exam
Stay relaxed
Take deep breaths, or use any technique that you find effective to be relaxed. When we are relaxed, we speak better. Try to speak as you would speak if you were with friends. Remember, the examiners are there to help you succeed.
Don’t pay too much attention to your mistakes
It’s important that you try to speak correctly, but it’s even more important that you can communicate fluently and effectively. Some students think too much about the correct way of saying things and then they hesitate a lot and there are long and repeated pauses in their speech. You should concentrate more on what you want to say than on how to say it correctly.
Use complete sentences
When the examiner or your partner asks you a question, answer using full sentences. For example, if they ask you whether you like fish, don’t just say ‘Yes.’ You could say, ‘Yes, I like it very much. I eat fish two or three times a week.’ Or if they ask you where you are from, don’t just say, ‘Livorno.’ You could say, ‘I’m from Livorno, a city in the north of Italy.’
Listen carefully to the examiners
Pay attention to the examiners’ instructions and questions. It’s important that you do exactly as they say.
Useful Vocabulary for Part 2 of the exam
Starting a description
- In this picture there are some people…
- In this picture I can see a man/woman/group of people…
- This picture shows a couple/woman/man…
Describing people’s postures
- They’re sitting
- They’re standing
- They’re lying down
Describing positions of objects and people
- On the left/right…
- In the middle…
- At the top/bottom…
- In the background/foreground…
- Next to…/Above…/In front of… / Behind…
Speculating
- I believe…
- My guess is…
- Perhaps they are…
- It appears to me that he/she/it is…
- They seem to be…
- He/she seems to be…
- Maybe they are…
Useful Vocabulary for Part 3 of the exam
Initiating the conversation
- Do you want to start? / Would you like to start?
- Shall I start?
- Okay, I’ll start.
Giving your opinion
- I think/believe/feel (that)…
- In my opinion,…
- I guess (that)…
- I have no doubt that…
- I strongly believe that…
Asking for your partner’s opinion
- What do you think (about…)?
- What’s your opinion?
- Do you think … is a good idea?
- How do you feel about…?
- What/How about (doing) sth.?
Expressing agreement or disagreement
- Of course (not)
- I (completely) agree (with you)
- I think so too
- Exactly
- That’s true
- You may be right, but…
- I don’t think so…
- I don’t think that…
- I don’t agree (with you)
Exercises
Explanation
Downloads
