Home > B2 First > Speaking > Part 1
Introduction
Many students think that the questions in B2 First Speaking Part 1 are the easiest and simplest of the four parts, but it is a great time to show off what you can do. In real life, people take three seconds to find out if they like someone or not when they get that first impression. This is a great chance for you to give your examiner a good first impression.
To continue your speaking practice, there are part 2 pictures here, and questions for parts 3 and 4 here.
Question Topics
These questions are all about you, your work, studies, travel, entertainment or your life, so you know the answers. This is a wonderful opportunity to show what you can do, rather than just answer the questions mechanically.
Very Important:
In B2 First Speaking Part 1, the questions will jump from one topic to another. Some sample questions below are divided into topics, others aren’t, but in the test, you will be asked between 2 and 4 questions, with each question from a different topic. If you are not expecting this, it can come as a big surprise!
How to Answer
Answer the questions, then extend your answer by one or two sentences. If you try to speak for longer, the examiner will stop you. They have to be fair and give everyone the same amount of time to answer.
When Your Speaking Test Starts
At the beginning of the speaking test, the examiner will start the test like this.
Interlocutor: Good morning/afternoon/evening.
My name is ….. and this is my colleague ……
And your names are?
Can I have your mark sheets, please?
Thank you.
Where are you from, (Candidate A)?
And you, (Candidate B)?
First, we’d like to know something about you.
You will then be asked one or two questions about your circumstances and your English learning. Such as:
Where do you live?
Who do you live with?
How did you get here today?
How do you normally travel to the place where you work or study?
How long have you been studying English?
What do you enjoy most about learning English?
How long have you been studying English?
Apart from English, what other languages have you studied?
Why is learning English useful or important to you?
What reasons do other people have for learning English?
How have you been learning English?
What aspects of learning English have you found most and least enjoyable? …. (Why?)
B2 First Speaking Part 1 Questions
Travel
• Do you enjoy long journeys? (What do you do to pass the time?)
• Do you have to travel far every day? (Where do you have to go?)
• Do you prefer to travel by car or public transport? (Why?)
• Tell us about an interesting place you’ve travelled to.
Study or work
• What good memories do you have of school?
• Is there anything you would like to study in the future? (Why?)
• Have you ever had a part-time job? (What do/did you do? Do/Did you enjoy it?)
• Would you prefer to work for a big or small company? (Why?)
Sports and hobbies
• Do you prefer individual sports or team sports? (Why?)
• Which is the most popular sport in your country? (Why do you think it’s popular?)
• How much time do you spend listening to music? (What kind of music do you like?)
• Do you enjoy playing computer games in your free time? (Why?/Why not?)
Free time
• Do you prefer to spend time on your own or with other people? (Why?)
• Has your choice of free time activities changed over the years? (In what way?)
• What kind of music do you like? (Why do you enjoy it?)
• Do you like going to parties? (Tell us about a party you remember well.)
Education and work
• Do you work or do you study? (Tell us where you study/work.)
• How often do you use the Internet to study?
• What type of work would you like to do in the future?
• What new skill would you like to learn? (Why?)
Media
• What kind of television programmes do you like best?
• Do you like reading newspapers and magazines? (Where do you read them?)
• Do you ever listen to the radio? (When?)
• Do you like going to the cinema? (Tell us about a film you’ve seen recently.)
Health and fitness
• Do you think it is Important to keep fit? (Why?)
• How much exercise do you do every day?
• Do you prefer playing or watching sport? (Why?)
• Is eating healthy food important for you? (What is your favourite food?)
Everyday life
How do you get to school every day? (How long does it take you?)
• Do you usually have a large or a small breakfast? (Why?)
• Who do you live with? Tell us about them.
• Do you help with the housework at home? (What do you do?)
Celebrations and special occasions
• What special occasion have you celebrated recently?
• Do you like big parties? (Why/Why not?)
• How do you celebrate the New Year?
• What presents do you like to give and to receive?
Eating and drinking
• What is your favourite food and your favourite drink?
• What do you have for breakfast?
• What is more important for you, lunch or dinner?
• Have you been to a restaurant lately? (Tell us about it)
Communication
How often do you meet your friends for a chat?
• How do you keep in touch with friends who don’t live near you?
• How do you keep up with the latest world news? (Do you watch the news on TV or read it online?)
• Do you like to read about the lives of famous people?
Free time and entertainment
• Do you like playing computer games? (Tell us about the one you like most)
• What do you usually do when you come back from school (work)?
• Can you sing or play an instrument? (Who taught you how to do it?)
• Do you ever go to concerts? Tell us about the last one you went to.
• Do you have to get up early every day? (Why?)
• How often do you have meals with all your family?
• Which room in your house is the best one to study? (Why?)
• How often do you go shopping for food? (Where do you go?)
Holidays and travel
• Do you like travelling to other countries? (Which ones have you been to?)
• What country would you like to visit in the future?
• Do you like camping holidays? (Why/Why not?)
• What activities do you like to do when you are on holiday?
Sport
• Did you play any sport when you were a child? (How good were you?)
• Is there a sport that you would really like to learn? (How difficult would it be?)
• Have you ever been to a gym? (Did you like it?)
• Who is your favourite sports personality? (Why?)
Everyday life
• Are you a very busy person? (What keeps you busy?)
• Do you take regular breaks when you are working? (What do you do?)
• Tell us about a daily activity that you particularly enjoy.
• What is your favourite season? (Why?)
The future
• Do you think you will use your English in the future? (How?)
• Have you got any plans for next weekend?
• What do you think you’ll be doing this time next year?
• What practical skill would you most like to learn? (Why?)
Entertainment
• Have you got a hobby? (What do you like about it?)
• Do you like watching soap operas on television? (Why/Why not?)
• Can you play any card games? (Who do you usually play with?)
• Do you like to have a good time with friends? (What do you do?)
Eating and drinking
• Do you like cooking for your friends? (What dishes do you cook?)
• What is your favourite dessert? (How often do you have it?)
• Do you prefer eating vegetables or meat? (Why?)
• Do you ever buy take-away food? (How good is it?)
Communication
• Do you prefer to text people or to phone them?
• Are you somebody who enjoys talking? (Who do you mostly talk to?)
• Do you like sharing photos with people you know? (Why/Why not?)
• Do you think you can communicate easily with children? (How?)
Sport
• Do you like sports? (Which ones?)
• Have you ever taken part in a sports competition? (Tell us about it.)
• Are you a member of a sports club? (How often do you go there?)
• What is the best time of day to do some exercise?
Food and drink
• Have you ever tried typical food from another country? (How did you like it?)
• Do you like eating fast food? (Why/Why not?)
• What do you like to eat and drink when you go to a party?
• Do you usually have lunch at home or at school (work)?
Family and home
• Is your house old or new? (Tell us about it)
• Do you like staying at home at weekends? (Why/Why not?)
• Have you got any brothers or sisters? (Tell us how you get on with them.)
• Does your family like spending time together? (When?)
Education and work
• Have you got any plans for when you finish school/university?
• In your opinion, which subject is the easiest to learn? (Why?)
• How long does it take you to get ready for school/college/work every day?
• What would be your ideal job? (Why?)
Celebrations and special occasions
• What do you usually do on your birthday? (Who do you spend it with?)
• Do you like organising parties? (Tell us about one you organised recently).
• Which do you prefer, celebrations with family or with friends? (Why?)
• Have you ever been to a fancy-dress party? Tell us about it
The future
• Would you like to do full-time or part-time work in the future?
• Would you like to learn how to play an instrument? (Which one?)
• What are your plans for when you finish your studies?
• Where do you think you will be at this time next year?