Speaking part: variant 95 - Langart

Task 1

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

They keep us in touch with our friends and family, entertain us and even help us find our way. Gadgets are great and almost everyone has one. While you might find a large number of English words relating to science and technology have an ancient Greek origin, the word ‘gadget’ seems to have appeared on the scene not so long ago. In fact, it seems that the word was first used sometime in the 19th  century but experts disagree on when and where. According to some experts, sailors used to use the slang word ‘gadget’ to refer to tools or mechanical parts whose precise names they couldn’t remember while other sources maintain that it might have come from French.

Today, the word has taken on the meaning of a small, compact, high performance mobile device that requires little or no skill to use and that provides a service or entertainment.

On Screen. Intermediate B1+/ B2. Student’s book.

Task 2

Study the advertisement.

Feel the Irish spirit, London style!

You are considering attending London’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival and now you’d like to get more information. In 1.5 minutes you are to ask four direct questions to find out about the following:

  1. parade location
  2. headline performers
  3. cultural activities planned
  4. volunteer opportunities

You have 20 seconds to ask each question.

Task 3

You are going to give an interview. You have to answer five questions. Give full answers to the questions (2–3 sentences). Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Tapescript for Task 3

Interviewer: Hello everybody! It’s Teenagers Round the World Channel. Our guest today is a teenager from Russia and we are going to discuss your homeland and its people. We’d like to know our guest’s point of view on this issue. Please answer five questions. So, let’s get started.

Interviewer: Can you describe your hometown, and what makes it special to you?

Student: _________________________

Interviewer: What do you like most about the people and culture in your country?

Student: _________________________

Interviewer: What do you think makes the Russians so Russian?

Student: _________________________

Interviewer: If someone wanted to learn more about your homeland and its culture, where would you suggest they start?

Student: _________________________

Interviewer: Would you like to live in another country? Why or why not?

Student: _________________________

Interviewer: Thank you very much for your interview.

Task 4

Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project “Tourist attractions”. You have found some photos to illustrate it but for technical reasons you cannot send them now. Leave a voice message to your friend explaining your choice of the photos and sharing some ideas about the project. In 2.5 minutes be ready to:

  • explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences;
  • mention the advantages (1–2) of the two tourist places;
  • mention the disadvantages (1–2) of the two tourist places;
  • express your opinion on the subject of the project – which of these tourist places you’d prefer and why.

You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.