Running A Business
Try this practice exam question for part 3 of the speaking paper all about running a business. Part 3 is the discussion task where the examiners will assess you on your ability to interact and communicate with your partner in a natural way.
Useful Vocabulary
Speaking Paper Part 3: Phrases
Check out the infographic below for some useful phrases that you can use to help you interact with your partner in the exam:
Practice Question
Below is a typical question that you might see in the exam. Firstly you should 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.
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.
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.
Interaction Practice: Audio Three
The examiner has now asked you and your partner the following question:
“Which is the most common reason that people choose to run their own business?”
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.
