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Aptis Advanced · Speaking · Part 3-4 · C1

Speaking Parts 3 and 4: C1 model presentation

Aptis Advanced Speaking presentation and final question with C1 model answers and the four structures that lift them to a higher level.

5 min video (Spanish narration)8 mini-quizzesC1

1/8Part 3: the topic

Parts 3 and 4 of the Advanced Speaking are a single task: first a presentation on a topic and then a question about that same presentation, with no preparation time. For the presentation you have one minute to prepare and a stated time to speak.

In the example, the topic is: Present your view on what makes work meaningful and fulfilling in today's world. Be careful: reading the poster aloud is band 1; you have to develop the topic.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.How are Parts 3 and 4 of the Advanced Speaking related?
2.What happens if you just read the poster aloud?
3.How much time do you have to prepare the presentation?

2/8C1 model presentation

The model presentation has three parts: an introduction that announces three aspects (purpose, people and balance), a body that explains each one with an idea and an example, and a conclusion with your opinion.

Listen to it all the way through once and notice how each aspect has its own block.

  • Good morning, everyone. Today, I'd like to talk about what makes work meaningful and fulfilling…
  • To sum up, although salary obviously matters, I'd argue that a sense of purpose and good relationships are what really make a job worthwhile.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.Which three aspects does the model presentation announce?
2.What does the presentation say about purpose?
3.How does the presentation conclude?

3/8Part 4: the question

After the presentation comes the question on the same topic, with no preparation time. In the example: What is more important? Earning a high salary or finding a job you love?

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.How much preparation is there before the Part 4 question?
2.What is the Part 4 question about?
3.What is the question in the example?

4/8C1 model answer

The model answer does not choose straight away: it starts by acknowledging that it is a difficult question, presents both sides, proposes a middle position (a job you enjoy that pays enough to live comfortably) and only at the end makes a decision.

  • That's a tough question.
  • Personally, I think the ideal is somewhere in between.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.How does the model answer begin?
2.What middle position does it propose?
3.What does it decide in the end?

·Why it works

From here on, four structures are explained that make these answers sound C1. This is our reading of what helps show your level, not a list that the exam requires.

5/8Announcing the structure

At the start you announce what you are going to talk about. Namely introduces the exact list. It is what keeps you from simply reading and gives the examiner a map of your presentation.

  • I'll look at three aspects, namely purpose, people and balance, and then I'll give my own view.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.What is «namely» for in the introduction?
2.What does announcing the structure give the examiner?
3.At what point in the presentation do you announce the points?

6/8Walking through the points

Each point has its own marker: let me start with, secondly, the third aspect. After each marker you develop with an idea and an example.

According to the rubric, expanding the points in each section is what separates C2 from C1.

  • Let me start with purpose.
  • Secondly, there are the people we work with.
  • The third aspect is balance.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.Which markers are used to walk through the points?
2.What do you do after each marker?
3.According to the rubric, what separates C2 from C1 in the presentation?

7/8Contrast and emphatic negation

On the one hand and on the other hand present both sides and give a balanced answer. No amount of money will make up for it is an emphatic negation: no amount of + noun.

The Spanish-based calque would be no matter how much money, it doesn't compensate.

  • On the one hand, a high salary gives you security and freedom…
  • On the other hand, if you dread going to work every morning, no amount of money will make up for it.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.What are «on the one hand» and «on the other hand» for?
2.What is «no amount of money will make up for it»?
3.Which would be the Spanish-based calque to avoid?

8/8Closing with a decision

Close with a second conditional: if + past, and then would. End with a clear decision: without that conclusion, the answer is left open.

  • If I had to choose, though, I'd go for a job I love, since money is only useful if you're happy enough to enjoy it.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.Which structure is «If I had to choose, I'd go for…»?
2.How is it formed?
3.What happens if you do not close with a decision?
Put it together

Now, practise

Prepare a presentation on a new topic, announcing your points, walking through them with markers and closing with your opinion. Then answer a question about it, unprepared, with a contrast and a final decision.

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