The Cambridge C1 Advanced Speaking Test consists of 4 parts. In this guide, you’ll find typical questions for CAE Speaking Part 3 and Part 4, along with links to sample answers to help you prepare effectively. Explore these resources to boost your performance in most CAE Speaking topics.
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C1 Advanced Speaking Part 3 Quiz: Do You Know?
C1 Advanced Speaking Test Breakdown:
Part 1:
C1 Speaking Part 1 consists of general questions about you, your life, and your opinions. This section lasts about 2 minutes, during which you’ll likely be asked 3 to 4 questions.
Part 2:
In Part 2, you choose two pictures from a set of three. You’ll need to describe, compare, and contrast the selected pictures while answering two related questions. You only have 1 minute, so practicing is crucial. Sample answers can be found [here].
Part 3:
Part 3 is divided into two sections. In the first section, you and the other candidate(s) will discuss topics from a given diagram (diagrams below). Interaction with the other candidates is key, so be sure not to dominate the conversation. You’ll focus on agreeing, disagreeing, sharing opinions, and asking for others’ views. This part lasts 2 minutes. In the second section, candidates have 1 minute to reach an agreement on which option is the best or most important.
Part 4:
Part 4 covers general questions related to the topic from Part 3 but in greater depth (see questions below). You’ll need to agree or disagree with the other candidate(s) and provide your own opinion. This section lasts 4 minutes. To succeed, aim to sound organized and include examples where relevant. Keep your responses more formal by discussing general ideas rather than personal experiences even if you don’t know much about the topic.
General Tips for C1 Advanced Speaking
- Watch the official videos of C1 Advanced speaking tests and compare the examiners’ notes with your own opinion. That way, you will be much more aware of what is important and what is not.
- C1 Advanced Speaking can be a difficult and stressful speaking test, so it is much more effective if you prepare for the test as well as trying to improve your English. If you know exactly what is expected from you and how you will feel, then you can prepare and manage your expectations. Doing this will reduce your stress and help you to speak calmly.
- NEVER try to remember or recite answers that you have seen before. However, it is completely natural to remember phrases, words and sentences that you can fit into many answers.
- C1 Advanced Part 3 discussions and decisions can be challenging because you don’t know what your partner(s) will say. Give yourself a chance and be flexible. If you stick to an idea, then you may get upset if the other person disagrees. Being flexible allows you to concentrate on your English rather than winning an argument.
- If you sound happy when you talk about positive things and angry, sad or disappointed when you talk about negativity, you will really help your pronunciation score and also emphasise your meaning.
- It is reassuring to get help while studying for your C1 Advanced Speaking test. You don’t need to have regular lessons, but having a teacher from any time-zone on a platform like italki keeps you studying and practicing the things you need. Give it a try.
CAE Speaking Part 4 Quiz: Are You The Best?
Sample answers for parts 3 and 4 are here.
Part 3 – Travel Company
Part 3 Tip
You don’t have to talk about all five of the sub-topics in C1 Advanced Part 3, but you use the target language when you move from one to the other. Keep in mind what you need to say. Asking for and giving opinions is one of the essential skills needed in this part. You will have to do it at least three or four times, so find different ways to ask your partner what they think as well as using various methods to say what your view is of the matter.
Part 4 – Travel Company
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
Part 3 – Important Things
Part 4 – Important Things
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?
Part 4 Tip for these questions
In many of these questions, you are pushed to answer a question about ‘people’. Doing this can be much easier if you split the people into groups, such as young people, middle aged people or elderly people. You could also split them by wealth, region, if they have children or not and so on. Doing this allows you to answer three short specific questions rather than about one huge vague group.
For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question
Part 3 – Technology Impact
Part 3 Tip
During the discussion in Part 3, you’ll need to agree or disagree with your partner’s opinions. Using appropriate phrases for this is essential to sounding polite and engaged. Here are some useful expressions:
- Agreeing:
- “I think we see eye to eye on that,”
- “You’re absolutely right,”
- “I couldn’t agree more.”
- “Yeah, I’d go along with that.”
- “That’s so true.”
- “Absolutely!
- “You took the words right out of my mouth.”
- “You have a point there.”
- “I’m with you 100% on this one.”
- Disagreeing:
- “I take your point, but…,”
- “I beg to differ,”
- “I’m not sure I agree with that.”
- “We don’t see eye to eye on that I’m afraid”
- “I tend to disagree with you there.”
- “That’s not always the case”
- “Isn’t it more a case of…?”
- “I don’t think so.”
Practicing these phrases will help you express your thoughts clearly and contribute effectively to the discussion.
Agreeing is a more positive experience during the exam, so don’t waste your test arguing about some small point, unless you use great language to do it. Another thing you can do is to use concessions like although, even though, despite, in spite of ……
For example
Although I thought …… when I saw the question, I see your point and now agree with you on that
Even though I believed ………. I now think you’re right
Although I’m not 100% convinced, I’ll go along with you for now
Despite wanting to believe ……. I see your point
In spite of some personal experience in the matter, I agree with what you are saying
After you have talked about the mind map for 2 minutes, you then have to decide with your partner, the best option.
Part 4 – Technology Impact
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
Part 3 – Special Qualities
For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question
Part 4 – Special Qualities
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?
Part 4 Tip for these questions
In questions like these where most of them ask you to compare one thing to another, talk about the first, then about the second, compare them then give your opinion.
In the first question, however, you have three points, so be careful not to talk about each of them for too long, otherwise the examiner will stop you. Practicing these times is essential, so you know roughly how many sentences you can use without talking for too long.
For Sample Answers to Part 3 and Part 4 of this question
Part 3 – Satisfaction
Part 3 Tip
It’s always good to give a good impression in the test, so dress comfortably but smartly, and keep eye contact with the examiner or the other student when you are talking to each other.
Listen actively, so nod your head in agreement, or shake your head in disagreement, and so on. It helps the others and it also helps to keep you engaged in the test.
Use open body language, so don’t sit and fold your arms or cross your legs to make you look defensive.
Also, speak up, this is a speaking test, so the examiner and the other student need to be able to hear what you say. If you don’t speak up, you’ll lose points, and taking the exam will be a waste of time.
Part 4 – Satisfaction
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
Part 3 – Choosing Work
Part 4 – Choosing Work
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?
Part 4 Tip for these questions
It is useful to think of a Part 3 answer like an IELTS Writing Task 2 paragraph. Topic sentence, supporting sentence 1, example, supporting sentence 2, conclusion.
Part 3 – Preservation
Part 3 Tip
When you need to negotiate an outcome in the second part of Part 3, you have 1 minute. As you will know from Part 2, 1 minute is a very short time, so have a plan for how you are going to approach this part of the speaking test.
If the other candidate is speaking for too long, then interrupt POLITELY and give your view.
If the other candidate is having trouble speaking, then HELP them by suggesting the best answer.
If the other candidate has a completely different opinion to you, change your mind and agree with them. You still have Part 4, so you don’t want to add any stress before then.
It’s an English test, not a competition about whose opinion is best.
Part 4 – Preservation
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?
Part 3 – Weather
Page 4 – Weather
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?
Part 4 Tip for these questions
Remember to give general answers in CAE Speaking Part 4. If you want to talk about how you feel or what your family does, then say it generally. For example, ‘Some people do ……..’ (for talking about yourself. ‘In some families, they ……’ for talking about your family. In this way, you are using your family as an example of a group of families that do certain things, not specifically your own family.
Part 3 – Flight Improvements
Part 3 Tip
In CAE Speaking Part 3, you’ll need to engage in a discussion with your partner. Being proactive in this part of the test shows leadership and confidence. Take the initiative by using phrases like:
“Do you mind if I start?”
“Shall I begin?”
This approach allows you to control the flow of the conversation and focus on topics you’re more comfortable discussing. Practicing this skill will help you manage the conversation more effectively during the exam.
Part 4 – Flight Improvements
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?
Part 3 – Community Care
Part 4 – Community Care
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?)
Part 4 Tip for these questions
Organising your answers makes them sound much better. For example, in the question ‘What in your view are the qualities of a good doctor?’, you could start with. There are various a good doctor has. The three main ones that come to mind are, firstly ……., secondly …… and finally …….. There are more ways to organise answers than this, so don’t use the same on is each question otherwise it will get very boring.
Part 3 – Escape Pressure
Part 3 Tip
Here are some useful phrases for the decision-making part.
I think we’ve pretty much covered all the bases, so which option do you think would be the best…..
I think we agree that …….. and ……. aren’t the best, don’t we?
Well, xxxxx isn’t really an option is it, and as for ……,
I’m not too keen on that. What do you think?
Ok I see your point, let’s go for that one as the best
And then why
In my opinion
The way I see it is ………
As far as I’m concerned ………
If you ask me, ……….
Then ask the other person their opinion
Why do think that?
What makes you say that?
What do you think?
Do you agree?
What are your thoughts on that?
Would you agree with that?
Part 4 – Escape Pressure
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?)
Part 3 – Healthy Life
Part 4 – Healthy Life
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?
Part 4 Tip for these questions
If you can’t think of an answer to a CAE Speaking Part 3 question, compare. In the question ‘Is it important to donate money to international charities?… (Why? / Why not?)’ you could compare why it is important to donate and compare it to what other things the money could be used for in other places or at home.
Part 3 – Annoying Things
Part 4 – Annoying Things
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?)
Part 3 – Environmental Issues
Part 4 – Environmental Issues
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?)
Part 3 – Effect on the World
Part 4 – Effect on the World
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?
Part 3 – Attitudes
Part 4 – Attitudes
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?)
Part 3 – Understanding Cultures
Part 4 – Understanding Cultures
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?)
For useful vocabulary to answer these questions, go here.