Model answer notes
Built from each question on this page — a shape to follow and some phrases to borrow, not a script to memorise. Examiners mark you down for answers that sound learned by heart.
Part 1 · Question 1
Do you remember your dreams in the morning?
Aim for 40–60 words, roughly 20–30 seconds.
Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add the reason behind it, then finish on one concrete detail from your own life. Do not stop after three words, and do not turn it into a speech.
Pick up and paraphrase: remember, dreams, morning
- To be honest, …
- …, which is something I have always found useful.
- The main reason for that is …
Part 2 · Question 2
Describe a time you gave something up so that another person could benefit.
Aim for 180–220 words — the full two-minute long turn.
Use the one minute of preparation to jot a word per bullet. Take the bullets in the order they are printed, spend the most time on the last one, and close by answering the final line of the card. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.
Pick up and paraphrase: benefit, benefited, reached
- What springs to mind is …
- …, and that is fairly typical where I am from.
- If I had to pick one, it would be …
Part 2 · Question 3
Describe a time you helped a classmate or colleague with their work.
Aim for 180–220 words — the full two-minute long turn.
Use the one minute of preparation to jot a word per bullet. Take the bullets in the order they are printed, spend the most time on the last one, and close by answering the final line of the card. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.
Pick up and paraphrase: helped, classmate, colleague
- It depends, but generally …
- …, whereas ten years ago it was quite different.
- A good example of that would be …
Part 2 · Question 4
Describe a collection of art or objects that you enjoyed looking at.
Aim for 180–220 words — the full two-minute long turn.
Use the one minute of preparation to jot a word per bullet. Take the bullets in the order they are printed, spend the most time on the last one, and close by answering the final line of the card. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.
Pick up and paraphrase: collection, objects, enjoyed
- I would say so, yes, mainly because …
- …, at least that has been my experience.
- On the other hand, some people would argue …
Part 2 · Question 5
Describe something you do in order to save money.
Aim for 180–220 words — the full two-minute long turn.
Use the one minute of preparation to jot a word per bullet. Take the bullets in the order they are printed, spend the most time on the last one, and close by answering the final line of the card. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.
Pick up and paraphrase: order, money, started
- Not particularly, no — the thing is …
- …, which makes a real difference day to day.
- That said, I can see why others might …
Part 2 · Question 6
Describe someone you would call first in an emergency.
Aim for 180–220 words — the full two-minute long turn.
Use the one minute of preparation to jot a word per bullet. Take the bullets in the order they are printed, spend the most time on the last one, and close by answering the final line of the card. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.
Pick up and paraphrase: first, emergency, under
- To be honest, …
- …, which is something I have always found useful.
- The main reason for that is …
Part 2 · Question 7
Describe a person from a different culture whose way of life interests you.
Aim for 180–220 words — the full two-minute long turn.
Use the one minute of preparation to jot a word per bullet. Take the bullets in the order they are printed, spend the most time on the last one, and close by answering the final line of the card. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.
Pick up and paraphrase: different, culture, whose
- What springs to mind is …
- …, and that is fairly typical where I am from.
- If I had to pick one, it would be …
- what you gave up
- who benefited from it
- how you reached the decision
- who you helped
- what they needed
- what you did for them
- what the collection contained
- how the pieces were arranged
- how long you spent looking at it
- what you do
- when you started doing it
- how much it saves you
- who this person is
- why you would call them
- what they are like under pressure
- where the person is from
- how you learnt about them
- what is different about their daily life