woman wearing red satin sleeveless top

Going To The Gym

Practice your speaking skills with this sample exam questions for part 3 of the speaking paper. This question is all about reasons why people go to the gym. Part 3 of the speaking is the discussion task where candidates will be judged not only on their ability to express their opinion, but also how well they interact and communicate with their partner.

Speaking Paper Part 3: Phrases

Try and use the phrases below to practice interacting with your partner:

Practice Question

Below is a typical question that you might see in the exam. Practice on your own expressing your opinion about each prompt. Try and give clear reasons for you opinion in each case. You should aim to spend around 2-3 minutes talking about all five prompts.

Further down the page you will see three different audios. These audios are of your partner expressing their opinion and then asking you to speak. You should listen carefully to what your partner says, comment on what they say where appropriate, express your agreement or disagreement about what they have said and finally give your own opinion.

Why do people choose to exercise at a gym?
Equipment
Support
Classes
Socialize
Convenience

Interaction Practice: Audio One

In the following audio you will listen to a person (your partner) speak about one of the prompts of the question, then will bring you into the conversation. They may ask things like “Do you agree?”, “What do you think?”, “What’s your opinion this?” or something similar.

You need to practice continuing the conversation after “your partner” brings you into the conversation. Try where possible to reference what your partner has said to show your agreement, disagreement or similarities to another prompt they may ask you to talk about.

Remember: Your partner may not speak perfect English. They may use incorrect vocabulary or grammar so you should prepare from this. However, you should be able to understand what your partner is trying to say from the overall context even if they do make mistakes.

Interaction Practice: Audio Two

You will hear a different person talk about one of the prompts in the question, and bring you into the conversation like in the previous audio.

Remember: Your partner may not speak perfect English. They may use incorrect vocabulary or grammar so you should prepare from this. However, you should be able to understand what your partner is trying to say from the overall context even if they do make mistakes.

Interaction Practice: Audio Three

The examiner has now asked you and your partner the following question:

“Which are the two most common reasons people choose to exercise at a gym?”

You will hear your partner give their opinion about the decision question and then bring you into the conversation. Try and comment on what your partner has said and then give your own opinion.

Remember: Your partner may not speak perfect English. They may use incorrect vocabulary or grammar so you should prepare from this. However, you should be able to understand what your partner is trying to say from the overall context even if they do make mistakes.

Audio One

Personally speaking, I prefer to exercise at a gym because of the classes. In fact when I go to the gym that is the only thing I do, and I know other people that are the same as me. So I would say that is a very common reason people go to a gym. I never use the equipment, but I suppose many people go to the gym because of it, what do you think?

Audio Two

I would probably say that a lot of people go to the gym as well for the social aspect. It’s a good opportunity to hang out with friends of even make new friends, don’t you think so?

Audio Three

I’m not really sure. I think we can rule out convenience, but apart from that I’m not sure which are the most common reasons. What would you say?