C1 Advanced Speaking Parts 3 & 4

The C1 Advanced speaking test for Cambridge is in 4 parts. Here are some C1 Speaking Questions for C1 speaking Part 3 and C1 speaking Part 4. For a list of sample answers for C1 Speaking Parts 3 and 4, go here

Part 1 C1 speaking topics consist of general questions about yourself, your life and your opinions. This takes about 2 minutes, and you will probably be asked 3 or 4 questions.

In C1 Speaking Part 2, you need to choose two pictures from a choice of three, then describe, compare and contrast these two pictures and answer two questions. You are only allowed 1 minute to do this, so some practice is essential. Sample answers are here.

Part 3 is in two parts. The first part is a discussion between you and the other candidate(s) using the topics on a given diagram. It is important in this part to interact with the other candidates well and not speak more than you should. The target language for this part is mainly agreeing, disagreeing, giving your opinion and asking for opinions. You have 2 minutes. The second part is 1 minute for the candidates to come to an agreement which of the options is the best or most important.

Part 4 is general questions which cover the same topic as Part3, but in more depth. You are also expected to agree or disagree with the answers the other candidate(s) give and give your opinion. This part lasts a total of 4 minutes. In these answers, you should sound organised and give examples if you want. Try to talk about people in general rather than yourself, so it is more formal.

Sample answers for parts 3 and 4 are here.

For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

Answer these questions:

• What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a holiday online?
• In your opinion is working for a travel company a good job for young people? Why/Why not?
• Some people say that going away on holiday is a waste of money. What’s your opinion?
• Why do you think some people prefer to travel independently while others prefer to travel in a group?
• How do you think people can benefit from travelling to other countries?
• In future, do you think people will travel more, or less? Why?

For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

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For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

Answer these questions:

• Do you think that people have the right priorities in life nowadays? Why/Why not?
• Some people say that certain jobs are overvalued and overpaid. What’s your opinion?
• What part does the media play in people’s expectations of life nowadays?
• Do you think that people’s expectations of what is achievable are too high nowadays? Why/Why not?
• Do you think that life is easier now than it was in our grandparents’ day? Why/Why not?
• Some people say that it’s only possible to be happy if you have a lot of money. What’s your opinion?

For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

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For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

Answer these questions:

• What do you think is the most positive aspect of technology? Why?
• Some people dislike using technology. Why do you think this is?
• Do you think that life is generally easier now than it was in the past? Why/Why not?
• Some people say that computers are the biggest time-saving device in modem life. What do you think?
• The popularity of mobile phones means that people are always contactable. Is this a good thing?
• What effect do you think social networking sites have had on relationships?

For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

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For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

Answer these questions:

• Which is more important in any job: qualifications, personality or practical experience?
• What type of jobs should be most highly-valued and paid? Why?
• Do you think it’s better to do one job all your life or change jobs frequently? Why?
• Should there be a compulsory retirement age or should people be allowed to work as long as they like? Why/Why not?
• Do you think that people can be taught to be good leaders in the workplace? Why/Why not?
• Some people say that it doesn’t matter what job you do – the most important thing is to enjoy doing it. What do you think?

For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

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For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

Answer these questions:

• How important is it to follow trends in fashion? Why?
• Is it better to have a few close friends or a lot of acquaintances?
• Do you think that people’s interests and priorities change as they get older? Why/Why not?
• Some people say that having a high status is not the most important thing. What’s your opinion?
• Is it possible to be too rich? Why?/Why not?
• What kind of responsibilities do you think rich people have? Why?

For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question

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Answer these questions:

• What’s the best way to find out what a job is really like?
• Do you think the media often gives a false impression of how glamorous some jobs are? Why/Why not?
• Do you think that some kinds of work are under-paid? Why/Why not?
• Some people say there’s no point in getting a university qualification nowadays because it’s better to get training while you work. Do you agree?
• How easy do you think it is to achieve a good work/life balance nowadays? Why?
• Is it a good thing to be ambitious? Why/Why not?

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Answer these questions:

• Do you think that individuals can do very much on their own to protect things like these? Why/Why not?
• Do you think that children should be taught about conservation at school? Why/Why not?
• Some people say that it’s better to spend money on preserving what we’ve got than on inventing new things. What’s your opinion?
• Many young people feel that traditions are old-fashioned and not relevant to them. Do you agree with that view? Why/Why not?
• Do you think governments should work together to protect the environment? Why/Why not?
• Do you agree that in order to prepare for the future, we have to understand the past? Why/Why not?

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Select any of the following questions as appropriate:

• What effect does a country’s climate have on the personality of the people living there?
• What advantages or disadvantages are there in living in a country which has seasons?
• Some people’s idea of happiness is a lazy summer’s day. Why do you think this is?
• Why do people spend time sunbathing when they are told it is so bad for their health?
• Some people say more should be done to prevent global warming. What’s your opinion?

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Select any of the following questions as appropriate:

• Should people get to know their own countries before travelling abroad? (Why? / Why not?)
• What do you think is the best age for young people to start travelling abroad? (Why?)
• What problems do people have travelling around large cities?
• Which kinds of transport do you think might disappear in the future?
• Some people say there is nowhere left to explore on this planet. What’s your opinion?

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Select any of the following questions as appropriate:

• Some people say we rely too much on medicines nowadays. What’s your opinion?
• Should children’s health education be the responsibility of parents or schools? (Why?)
• What can be done to make hospitals more friendly places for young children?
• What in your view are the qualities of a good doctor?
• Do you think our lifestyles will become more healthy or less healthy in the future? (Why?)

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Select any of the following questions as appropriate:

• What other things help people to relax after a busy day?
• Do you think some people work better under pressure? (Why? /Why not?)
• Nowadays, many people work from home. Do you think this is a good or a bad thing? (Why?)
• Some people believe that any activity we do becomes boring after a while. What’s your opinion?
• Is it possible to be totally happy in life? (Why? / Why not?)

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Use the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

• How important do you think it is for people to be aware of problems that affect people in other countries?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Some people say that it is better to solve problems in our own countries before thinking about world problems. What do you think?
• What do you think is the best way to bring world issues to people’s attention?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Do you think that ordinary individuals can help solve big, international problems?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Is it important to donate money to international charities?… (Why? / Why not?)
• Some people believe that certain global problems are too big to solve and that it’s too late to try. What do you think?

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Use the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

• Why do you think some people lose their temper more often than others?
• Do you think the pace of life today makes it more likely for people to lose their temper? …….. (Why?/Why not?)
• People say that getting angry can sometimes have a positive outcome. What’s your opinion?
• Do you think ‘anger management’ courses can be a good idea? …(Why? / Why not?)
• Is it always better to show your feelings rather than hide them? …….. (Why?/Why not?)
• Do you think we become less tolerant of other people’s behaviour as we get older?…(Why? / Why not?)

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Use the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

• Some people believe we should just enjoy ourselves and not worry about our health. What do you think?
• Do you think health care should be freely available to everybody?…(Why?)
• At what age do you think schools should start educating children about healthy living?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Do you think our attitudes to healthy living change as we get older?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Do you think it’s good for our health to take regular holidays? …(Why? / Why not?)
• Some people say that that laughter is sometimes the best form of medicine. How far do you agree?…(Why? / Why not?)

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Use the following questions, in order, as appropriate:

• Do you feel that people are fully aware of the environmental problems we face these days?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Some people say that it won’t be possible to reverse any environmental damage done so far. What’s your view?
• Do you think it’s a good idea to encourage children to cycle from an early age?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Do you think it would be a good idea to reward people for the amount of rubbish they recycle?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Charities raise a lot of money for the environment. How helpful do you think this fundraising is?…(Why? / Why not?)
• Some people say we should only live for today and not be concerned about the future. Do you agree?…(Why? / Why not?)

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Select any of the following questions as appropriate:

• Which famous event would you like to have been involved in? ………. (Why?)
• How important is it to enjoy new experiences in life?…. (Why?)
• Some people say nothing can be achieved without effort. How far do you agree with this?
• What aspects of life today do you think will be remembered in the future?
• How do you think life will change during this century?

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Select any of the following questions as appropriate:

• What other things do you consider to be important in life?
• Some people say that the best time in life is when you’re young. What’s your opinion?
• As people get to know each other better; do you think they become more, or less, tolerant of one another?….(Why?)
• In your country, what is the general attitude towards elderly people?
• As people grow older; do you think they spend more time thinking about the past, the present or the future?….(Why?)

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Select any of the following questions as appropriate:
• What can people learn by travelling to different countries?
• Some people say that people are the same the world over. What’s your view?
• What can people do in their everyday lives to understand each other better?
• How important is it for people to learn different languages.? (Why?)
• Do you think that in future our national characteristics will disappear?….(Why? / Why not?)

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For useful vocabulary to answer these questions, go here.