TEST OF SPEAKING
Tasks are included from Parts 2 and 3 of the Test of Speaking, together with
the script followed by the Interlocutor for these Parts.
Material is not included for Part 1, in which the Interlocutor asks the
candidates questions directly rather than asking them to perform tasks.
Task Card 11
A: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
Looking for a new job
Career opportunities
Location of job
Possibility of making business trips
B: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
Travelling by air for business
Flight departure times
In-flight service
Transport to and from airports
UCLES 2002 -Version 21 BEC Preliminary-PART TWO
Task Card 13
A: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
Arranging a business trip abroad
Type of transport
Accommodation
Contact person
B: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
Choosing offices to rent
Location
Facilities
• Cost
UCLES 2002 -Version 21 BEC Preliminary - PART TWO
Task Card 14
A: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
Joining a computer skills course
Course materials
• Trainer
• Number of participants in group
B: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
Choosing a delivery company
Speed of service
• Cost
Personal recommendation
UCLES 2002-Version 21 BEC Preliminary - PART TWO
Task Sheet 23
Rewards for staff
• bonus payment
• party
• day trip
• gift
• shares in the company
• extra day's holiday
©UCLES 2002 - Version 21 BEC Preliminary - PART THREE
Task Sheet 27
2 3 4
9 10 11 • ; : :
1314
1718 19 20
22123 24 26 27
29 30
GIFTS TO
PROMOTE
COMPANY
©L'CLES 2002 - Version 21
PART 2 : Mini-presentations for 2 candidates (about 5 minutes)
Thank you. That's the end of the first part of the test. In the next part you are each going to talk on
your own.
I'm going to give each of you a card with 2 topics. I'd like you to choose one topic and talk about it
for about a minute. You have one minute to prepare for this. You are allowed to make notes.
All right? Here are your topics.
[Interlocutor hands each candidate a different topic card, and some paper and a pencil for notes.]
Choose one of the topics and prepare to talk about it. Remember you can make notes if you wish.
[Allow 1 minute's preparation time. Both candidates prepare their talks at the same time,
separately.]
All right. Now, *B, which topic have you chosen, A or B? [candidate answers] Would you like to
talk about what you think is important when (interlocutor states candidate's chosen topic)?
[Allow 45 seconds to 1 minute. Only use back-up questions if the candidate is unable to speak
without prompting.]
Thank you. Now, *A, which do you think is most important (bullet 1, 2 or 3)?
[Allow 10 seconds. Do not use back-up questions.]
Thank you. All right. Now, *A, which topic have you chosen, A or B? [candidate answers]
Would you like to talk about what you think is important when (interlocutor states candidate's
chosen topic)?
[Allow 45 seconds to 1 minute. Only use back-up questions if the candidate is unable to speak
without prompting.]
Thank you. Now, *B, which do you think is most important (bullet 1, 2 or 3)?
[Allow 10 seconds. Do not use back-up questions.]
Thank you.
[Retrieve materials.]
USE CANDIDATES' NAMES THROUGHOUT THE TEST
BLANK PAGE
BEC Preliminary Interlocutor Frame 2002 Confidential
Version 21 Do not copy
PART 2 : Mini-presentations for 3 candidates (about 6 minutes)
Thank you. That's the end of the first part of the test. In the next part you are each going to talk
on your own.
I'm going to give each of you a card with 2 topics. I'd like you to choose one topic and talk about it
for about a minute. You have one minute to prepare for this. You are allowed to make notes.
All right? Here are your topics.
[Interlocutor hands each candidate a different topic card, and some paper and a pencil for notes.]
Choose one of the topics and prepare to talk about it. Remember you can make notes if you wish.
[Allow 1 minute's preparation time. All candidates prepare their talks at the same time, separately.]
All right. Now, *B, which topic have you chosen, A or B? [candidate answers.] Would you like to
talk about what you think is important when (interlocutor states candidate's chosen topic)?
[Allow 45 seconds to 1 minute. Only use back-up questions if the candidate is unable to speak
without prompting.]
Thank you. Now, *C, which do you think is most important (bullet 1, 2 or 3)?
[Allow 10 seconds. Do not use back-up questions.]
Thank you. All right. Now, *A, which topic have you chosen, A or B? [candidate answers.] Would
you like to talk about what you think is important when {interlocutor states candidate's chosen
topic)?
[Allow 45 seconds to 1 minute. Only use back-up questions if the candidate is unable to speak
without prompting.]
Thank you. Now, *B, which do you think is most important (bullet 1, 2 or 3)?
[Allow 10 seconds. Do not use back-up questions.]
All right. Now, *C, which topic have you chosen, A or B? [candidate answers.] Would you like to
talk about what you think is important when {interlocutor states candidate's chosen topic)?
[Allow 45 seconds to 1 minute. Only use back-up questions if the candidate is unable to speak
without prompting.]
Thank you. Now, *A, which do you think is most important (bullet 1, 2 or 3)?
[Allow 10 seconds. Do not use back-up questions.]
Thank you.
[Retrieve materials.]
*USE CANDIDATES' NAMES THROUGHOUT THE TEST
BEC Preliminary Interlocutor Frame 2002 Confidential
Version 21 Do not copy
Task Card 11 - Examiner's Copy
A: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB
• CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
• LOCATION OF JOB
• POSSIBILITY OF MAKING BUSINESS TRIPS
Are career opportunities the most important thing about a new job? (Why/Why not?)
Is the location of the job important? (Why/Why not?)
How important is the opportunity to make business trips? (Why/Why not?)
Select from the following additional prompts (if the above have already been
covered):
Is salary the most important thing about a job? (Why/Why not?)
Are training opportunities important? (Why/Why not?)
Is a friendly working environment important in a new job? (Why/Why not?)
B: WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN...?
TRAVELLING BY AIR FOR BUSINESS
FLIGHT DEPARTURE TIMES
IN-FLIGHT SERVICE
TRANSPORT TO AND FROM AIRPORTS
Are flight departure times important? (Why/Why not?)
How important is the service on a flight? (Why/Why not?)
is it essential to have good transport to and from the airports? (Why/Why not?)
Select from the following additional prompts (if the above have already been
covered):
How important is the food on a plane? (Why/Why not?)
How important is the amount of luggage passengers can take on a business flight?
(Why/Why not?)
Which airport facilities are useful for business travellers? (Why?)
© UCLES 2002 - Version 21 BEC Preliminary - PART TWO
PART 3: Collaborative task and discussion {about 5 minutes for 2 candidates)
(about 7 minutes for 3 candidates)
Task 23
I Now, in this part of the test you are going to talk about something together.
I'm going to describe a situation.
Your company has performed very well this year, and the managers want to
thank all the staff. Talk together for about *2 minutes about ways of
rewarding staff and decide which one is the best.
Here are some ideas to help you.
[Place the task sheet in front of the candidates so that they can both (all) see it]
Think about the ideas for a few seconds.
I'll just describe the situation again.
Your company has performed very well this year, and the managers want to
thank all the staff. Talk together for about *2 minutes about ways of
rewarding staff and decide which one is the best.
Now talk together. Please speak so that we can hear you.
[Allow candidates about *2 minutes to complete the task without intervention. Prompt
only if absolutely necessary.]
*3 minutes [for 3 candidates]
[Retrieve materials.]
Interlocutor: [Select one or more of the following questions as appropriate, to
redress any imbalance between candidates in Part 3, or to extend the discussion.]
• Is there any other reward you would like? (Why?)
• Is it important for all staff to receive the same type of reward? (Why/Why not?)
• What kind of place would be suitable for a company trip? (Why?)
• How important is it to reward staff for good work? (Why?/Why not?)
• Should companies have a regular programme of social events for staff?
(Why/Why not?)
Thank you. That is the end of the speaking test.
© UCLES 2002 - Version 21 BEC Preliminary - PART THREE
