Santa Brigida: INTERMEDIATE 2 Sample Speaking Monologues and Interactions

Here are some sample Monologues and Interactions. Please also check the speaking samples from Jan. 2013 which may also appear in the May Exam.

MONOLOGUES


Advice

a) Use a variety of like/dislike expressions and opinion expressions to explain your reasons. 

b) Generalise. 

c) Link your ideas coherently. 

d) Give examples. 

e) Use a variety of grammar. 

f)  Make your speaking sound confident, personal and ‘real!’

g) Organize your discourse in a logical way with a suitable introduction, development and conclusion within the time framework of 3 minutes. You will have to time yourself in the exam.

Clothes

1. Talk about clothes and your attitude to shopping for clothes (where? When?). Include your view on the latest fashion and the ‘need’ or not to keep to the latest fashion and trends.  

2. Give your opinion on the following: 'The More Expensive Clothes Are, The Longer They Last '

Wishes

3. Talk about two things you wish you had/hadn't done when you were younger. Give reasons and examples.

4. Talk about two or three possessions you wish you had which would improve your life. Give reasons and examples.

Houses and Decoration

5. Talk about if there is anything you really don't like about your own house or/and the furniture and decoration in general in your country. 

6. Talk about a room or a piece of furniture in your house that you are particulary fond of. Give details (e.g where did you get the piece of furniture, why that room? etc).

7. Talk about your Dream House (Where would it be? What would it be like? etc) Give reasons for your choices.

Animals or People

8. If you could be an animal which one would you be and why?  Give reasons etc

9. What animal do you think makes the best pet for children, old people, working adults. Explain why, giving reasons and examples.  

Memory

10. Talk about how important it is to have a good memory for you. Do you think it's possible to improve your memory? If so, how? If not, why not? Give reasons , examples and personal experience.  

11. Talk about a childhood memory. Use these headings to help you: age, occasion and background to story, what happened, what happened in the end, how you felt.   

12. Talk about a very special birthday or holiday occasion e.g. Christmas

13. Talk about being very excited about something you were going to do for the first time.

Secret Stories

14. What kind of toys did you used to play with when you were a child? Did you have a favourite toy? Why? Which toys were in fashion when you were a child? Are they still in fashion now?

Lifestyles

15. What is the Canarian lifestyle? What is your opinion on the way of life in the Canaries? Is the standard of living good? Why?/Why not?

16. What outside influences has an effect on the Canary islands? Describe how and why.  

INTERACTIONS

Advice

a) An Interaction is NOT a mini-monologue.  You MUST interact, which means: You ask for your partner’s opinion, you respond to what your partner says.

b) Use a variety of like/dislike expressions and opinion expressions.

c) Explain your reasons.

d) Generalise.

e) Link your ideas coherently.

f) Give examples.

g) Use a variety of grammar.

h) Make your speaking sound confident, personal and ‘real!’

1. Discuss together:  'Being Fashionable Is More Important Than Being Comfortable.' Suggest ideas. Accept or reject each other's ideas. Give reasons and examples. 

2. Discuss together: Do you think men and women behave differently because they have been conditioned by society to do so, or because they are biologically different. Support your viewpoint with reasons and examples.

3. Discuss together: Do you believe in the philosophy of Feng Shui? Ask and respond to each others questions on this philosophy. What parts of it are attractive to you? What do you find difficult to believe? Do you have any personal (or other) experience of this philosophy? 

4. Discuss together: 'We worry too much about protecting wild animals and not enough about protecting people.' Take different sides and reason your arguments, giving examples.

5. Discuss together: 'Should hunting as a sport be made illegal?'  OR 'Should animals be used in medical experiments?'

6. Discuss together: 'Should dogs be banned in cities?'  OR 'Should animals be killed for food?'  

7. Discuss together: What brands are popular in your country? Why do you think these brands are popular? Do you think it is a good idea to buy special brands or is it just as good to buy a generic product?   

8. Discuss together: 'American influence has affected our islands/country greatly' Give reasons and examples. Ask and respond to your partner.