1/7The Advanced format
The Advanced Speaking has four parts and, according to the official 2023 guide, lasts 10 minutes in total. Part 1 compares two photos with three questions that increase in complexity; Part 2 is an abstract topic with three questions, one minute to prepare and two to answer; and Parts 3 and 4 form a single task: a presentation and a question about it, with no preparation.
2/7Part 1: two photos and three questions
In Part 1 the model compares instead of describing: Whereas the first setting offers peace and quiet, the second offers constant contact…. In the second answer it gives its preference and closes with a decision (If I had to pick just one, though, I'd go for the office). In the third, to an abstract question it responds with inversion: Not only does this blur the line between work and home, it can also….
3/7Part 2: abstract topic
There are three questions in a row, and each answer has its own marker: As for… and Turning to… signal which one you are on. The first tells of a career change using a mixed conditional (If I hadn't taken that risk, I'd probably still be wondering…); the second uses a parallel comparative (The more important the decision, the more we tend to worry…); the third concedes with Having said that….
4/7Parts 3 and 4: the presentation
The presentation announces its structure (I'll look at three measures, namely public transport, cycling and green spaces), walks through the points with markers (Let me start with… Secondly… The third measure is…), develops each one with an idea and concludes with an opinion (To sum up, although each measure helps on its own, I'd argue that…).
5/7Part 4: a question about your presentation
The question has no preparation and is about the same topic. The model balances with on the one hand… on the other hand…, proposes an alternative (Rather than a complete ban, I'd favour a gradual approach) and closes with a decision (If I had to decide, I'd go for limits rather than a ban).
·Wrap-up of the model answers
You now have the models for all four parts. Next comes the timed mock exam: answer it yourself and compare with what you have heard.
6/7Mock exam: Parts 1 and 2
In the mock exam, Part 1 shows two photos and three questions: describe what you see, compare shopping at a traditional market with shopping online, and how shopping habits will change over the next ten years. Part 2 is three questions about technology and communication, with one minute to prepare notes and two minutes to speak.
7/7Mock exam: Parts 3 and 4
Parts 3 and 4 are a single task. First you give a presentation on a topic; in the mock exam it is public transport at no cost to the user, with one minute to prepare notes. Then comes the follow-up question, with no preparation time: if public transport cost nothing, who should pay for it?