Speaking Test
  1. You will now be asked a question about a familiar topic. After you hear the question, you will have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak.
    Now play track 6-20 on the MP3 to hear Question 1.
    What was the most enjoyable sports event for you at high school? Explain why it was so enjoyable for you.
    Preparation time: 15 seconds
    Response time: 45 seconds


    Answers will vary.
  2. You will now be asked to give your opinion about a familiar topic. After you hear the question, you will have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak.
    Now play track 6-21 on the MP3 to hear Question 2.
    Some students like to participate in school trips; others do not. Do you enjoy going on trips with your classmates? Why?
    Preparation time: 15 seconds
    Response time: 45 seconds


    Answers will vary.
  3. You will now read a short passage and then listen to a conversation on the same topic. You will then be asked a question about them. After you hear the question, you will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
    Now play track 6-22 on the MP3 to hear Question 3.
    Reading time: 45 seconds
    Travel arrangements

    I am here to help you plan your class trip to Vietnam ... I mean Thailand. When you get to Jakarta ... no, that is Bangkok ... you will be met at the dock ... rather the airport by our representative, who says she speaks English. If she is not there your hotel will probably pick you up. In any case you will have all the information you need in your papers. Those of you who are interested can come to our office for more details. You can call for an appointment.
    Why do John and Selma have to go to another agency to get the information they need for their class trip abroad?
    Preparation time: 30 seconds
    Response time: 60 seconds


    Possible answer: John and Selma are planning a class trip to Thailand. The first travel agent does not even know where Bangkok is, whether the agency representative can meet them at the airport, or whether transportation to the hotel will be provided by the agency or the hotel. So the students will ask for details from the owner of another agency John's father knows. The owner of this agency is from Korea and knows Southeast Asia very well.
  4. You will now read a short passage and then listen to a talk on the same topic. You will then be asked a question about them. After you hear the question, you will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
    Now play track 6-23 on the MP3 to hear Question 4.
    Reading time: 45 seconds
    Planning a school trip
    It is important to plan certain school activities in advance. In order to take the traditional trip at the end of the year, the senior class must raise enough money to pay for everything. One way to do this is to have a picnic for friends and parents and charge a fee for attending. Last year, for instance, the senior class held a barbecue that was enjoyed by everyone. After that there was a volleyball game between students and parents. The students won, and we understand some of the parents had some muscle problems the next day! If the class would like to plan something like that, the office staff will be happy to help.
    What do students in senior classes raise money for and how did the speaker's class do it?
    Preparation time: 30 seconds
    Response time: 60 seconds


    Possible answer: Senior classes need to raise enough money to take the traditional trip at the end of the year, so they usually have a picnic for friends and parents and charge a fee for attending and participating in activities. The speaker's class had a picnic and a baseball game. After taking the money it cost them to buy the food, they had almost $200 left and the speaker's father gave $20 to the students for winning the baseball game. They needed $500 more, so they were looking for ideas to get them.
  5. You will now listen to a conversation. You will then be asked a question about it. After you hear the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
    Now play track 6-24 on the MP3 to hear Question 5.
    Do you agree with Carl's idea to solve Jim's problem? Why?
    Preparation time: 20 seconds
    Response time: 60 seconds


    Possible answer: Jim had band practice on Saturday, but he was supposed to stay with his young brother while their parents went shopping. Carl suggested that he could bring his brother to practice with him, so they were going to ask the music teacher for permission. I think it was a good idea because the teacher would probably say yes and Jim's brother might like it, too.
  6. You will now listen to a talk. You will then be asked a question about it. After you hear the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
    Now play track 6-25 on the MP3 to hear Question 6.
    According to the mother, what are the parents' conditions for allowing the children to watch TV?
    Preparation time: 20 seconds
    Response time: 60 seconds


    Possible answer: According to the mother, the parents want their children to enjoy their spare time but they must do their homework first because it is their responsibility. If they don't finish their homework first, the parents will have to make a rule about how much TV the children can see.