B2 First (FCE) Speaking Practice About Young People and The Environment [Part 3]

This B2 First sample question for part 3 of the speaking paper is all about the environment, and specifically related to young people. In part 3 of the speaking paper it is important for candidates to be able to take part in a discussion with their partner. They will be marked on how well they communicate and interact with their partner so should practice different ways of asking for their partners opinion, agreeing or disagreeing and responding to what their partners has said.

Useful Vocabulary

Environmentally friendly

“Environmentally friendly” is a B2 level adjective used to describe something that is not harmful to the environment. The topic…read more

Enjoyable

“Enjoyable” is a B1 level adjective that refers to something, like an event or activity, that they liked or enjoyed….read more

Get into

“Get into” is actually a C1 level phrasal, but you can still use it to get higher marks in your…read more

Educate

“Educate” is a B2 level verb that candidates can use in the B2 First exam. It means to teach or…read more

Recycle

Recycle is a great verb to know when talking about environmental issues in your B2 First exam, and it is…read more

Reduce

“Reduce” is a common verb that all candidates should easily be able to use and understand in the B2 First…read more

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.

How can we get more young people interested in environmental issues?

Celebrities

School

Outdoor activities

Workshops

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.

Interaction Practice: Audio Three

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

“Which are the best two things to get young people interested in environmental issues?”

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.

Audio One

In my opinion I think that nowadays celebrities are very important in getting children interested in the environment. Because of the internet and social media young people are much more connected with celebrities in the past and many young people look up to them, so if they see their favourite singer or actor talking about the environment or doing things to help the environment then it will encourage them to do the same. Would you agree?

Audio Two

I would probably say that TV isn’t going to have a big impact because I don’t think young people watch that much TV nowadays. I think that most children and teenagers nowadays are playing computer games or on social media so anything on the TV wouldn’t really…well, I suppose they wouldn’t watch it. I think education as school is probably a better way, don’t you think?

Audio Three

Well, personally I think we can rule out TV and workshops. I would definitely say celebrities are the best way to get young people interested, so then for me it would be a choice between school and outdoor activities. What’s your take?