part 1 (2 minutes/3 minutes for groups of three)€™frailemuñoz’’ pablo’tagarromelón’!...

Raquel Fraile Muñoz

Pablo Tagarro Melón

CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH: A MOCK SPEAKING PROPOSAL

The aim of this proposal is to provide both students and teachers with a

mock speaking test of the Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as CPE

(Certificate of Proficiency in English). For the elaboration of this proposal we

have followed the standards set by Cambridge ESOL.

Part 1 (2 minutes/3 minutes for groups of three) Interlocutor: Good morning/afternoon/evening. My name is ………… and this is

my colleague ………… And your names are …………?

Thank you.

First of all, we’d like to know something about you.

Where are you from, (Candidate A), and you, (Candidate B)?

[address Candidate B] Are your working or studying at the

moment?

[address Candidate A] And you?

Select a further question for each candidate:

• Why do you think English is worth learning nowadays?

• Would you like to study a degree at a foreign university? Why?

• Do you prefer part-time or full-time work?

• Would you like to live in a foreign country in the future?

• Would you rather live alone or with your parents?

• What are your main strengths and weaknesses?



2

Candidate:

……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………..

Interlocutor: Thank you.



3

Part 2 (approximately 4 minutes/6 minutes for groups of three)

Interlocutor: Now, in this part of the test you are going to do something

together. Here are some pictures taken by a couple in Berlin.

Place pictures sheet located at the end of the test in front of the

candidates to look at 1 and 3.

First, I would like to look at pictures 1 and 3 and talk together

about what possible stories might be happening behind the

scenes.

You have about a minute for this, so don’t worry if I interrupt you.

(2 minutes for groups of three).

Candidates:

1 minute

(2 minutes for

groups of three)

……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………….

Interlocutor: Thank you. Now look at all the pictures.

I’d like you to image that you are a tour guide of one these cities

and you have to present and describe some of these monuments

to the visitors.

Talk together about the effects that these monuments have on

these cities in particular and the world in general.

You have about three minutes to talk about this. (4 minutes for

groups of three)

Candidates:

3 minute

(4 minutes for



4

groups of three)

……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………….

Interlocutor: Thank you. Retrieve picture sheet.



5

Part 3 (approximately 10 minutes)

Interlocutor: Now, in this part of the test you’re each going to talk on your own

for about two minutes. You need to listen while your partner is

speaking because you’ll be asked to comment afterwards.

So, (Candidate A), I’m going to give you a card with a question

written on it and I’d like you to tell us what you think. There are

also some ideas on the card for you to use if you like.

All right? Here is your card, and a copy for you (Candidate B).

Hand over a copy of prompt card 1a for both candidates.

Remember (Candidate A), you have about two minutes to talk

before we join in.

[Allow up to 10 seconds before saying, if necessary: Would you

like to begin now?).

Candidate A:

……………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………….

(2 minutes)


Interlocutor: Ask one of the following questions to Candidate B:

• Do you think that a leader should be self-confident?

• What values would you appreciate in a leader?

• Should an enterprise establish the different roles between

leaders and employees?

Invite Candidate A to join by selecting one of the following prompts:

• What do you think?

• Do you agree?

• How about you?



6

Candidates:

1 minute

……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………….

Interlocutor: Thank you. Retrieve Cards.

Interlocutor: Now (Candidate B), it is your turn to be given a question. Here is

your card, and a copy for you (Candidate A).

Hand over a copy of prompt card 1b to both candidates.

Remember (Candidate B), you have about two minutes to tell us

what you think, and there are some ideas on the card for you to

use if you like. All right?

[Allow up to 10 seconds before saying, if necessary: Would you

like to begin now?]

Candidate B:

2 minutes

……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………..


Interlocutor: Ask for one of the following questions to Candidate A:

• What are the values you appreciate in other people?

• Do other people have an affect on a person’s behaviour?

• Do you change your behaviour depending on the situation in

which you are involved?

Invite Candidate B to join by selecting one of the following prompts:

• What do you think?

• Do you agree?

• How about you?



7

Candidates:

1 minute

……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………….

Interlocutor: Thank you. Retrieve Cards.



8

Interlocutor: Now, to finish the test, we’re going to talk about ‘travelling’.

Address a selection of the following question to both candidates:

• Why do some people believe that travelling is a way of life?

• Why are exotic trips becoming popular nowadays?

• How important is it to travel in a job?

• In what instances should young people receive scholarships or

stipends for travelling abroad? ……… (Why / Why not)

• For what reasons do people travel the world?

Candidates:

Up to 4

minutes…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………

Interlocutor: Thank you. That is the end of the test.

References

Cambridge ESOL. Cambridge English Proficiency for the Updated Exam

1 (with answers). Cambridge University Press (CUP): Cambridge, 2012. Print.



9

Picture 1

Picture 2



10

Picture 3

Picture 4



11

Picture 5

Prompt card 1a



12

How does self-‐confidence affect your personal life?

• Friends

• Academic life

• Success

Prompt card 1b

How can emotions and attitudes from other people influence your life?

• Social life

• Family

• Personal life

part 1 (2 minutes/3 minutes for groups of three)€™frailemuñoz’’ pablo’tagarromelón’!...

Documents