CAE SPEAKING 

PART 1 (2 min)

El examinador hace preguntas personales pero más abstractas que en FCE. 

1️⃣ Where do you live? 

⭐ Candidate A: 

I live in Bilbao, which is a very dynamic city in the north of Spain. What I like most about it is how easy it is to get around and how close everything feels. There’s always something going on, so it never gets boring. 

⭐ Candidate B: 

I’m from a small town not far from the coast. It’s quieter than a big city, but I really appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and the sense of community. 

2️⃣ How long have you been studying English? 

⭐ Candidate A: 

I’ve been learning English since primary school, but I’d say the real progress started when I began using it in my daily life—watching series, travelling and working. That made a huge difference. 

⭐ Candidate B: 

For me it’s been around ten years. I learnt the basics at school, but most of my improvement came from living abroad and being exposed to English every day. 

3️⃣ What do you enjoy about learning English? 

⭐ Candidate A : 

What I enjoy most is the sense of freedom it gives me. With English, I can communicate with people from completely different backgrounds, and I can access so much more information and entertainment. 

⭐ Candidate B : 

I really enjoy the feeling of progress—when I realise I can express complex ideas more clearly or understand something I couldn’t before. It’s motivating and makes the effort worthwhile. 

4️⃣ Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with others? 

⭐ Candidate A: 

It depends on my mood, to be honest. When I’ve had a stressful week, spending time alone helps me recharge. But if I’m feeling energetic, I prefer meeting friends and doing something active. 

⭐ Candidate B: 

I’m more of a social person, so I usually enjoy being with friends. But I also need the occasional quiet evening to reset, especially when I’m busy. 

5️⃣ What type of holidays do you enjoy the most? 

⭐ Candidate A: 

I like a mix of city breaks and nature trips. I enjoy exploring new cultures, but I also need a bit of calm, so combining both works best for me. 

⭐ Candidate B: 

For me, anything outdoors—mountains, lakes, quiet villages. I like disconnecting completely from routines and technology. 

Frases C1 

• To be perfectly honest…
• What I’ve come to realise is…
• I tend to prefer…
• It largely depends on…
• One thing I really appreciate is… 

PART 2 (1 min + 30 sec)

Pregunta del examinador:

How important is it to be creative in these different situations?
How difficult might this be?

Imágenes:

1. Chefs preparando comida
2. Niña cocinando
3. Artista pintando un mural

CANDIDATE A — 1 minuto 

I’m going to talk about the first and the third pictures.

In the first photo, we can see a team of chefs preparing meals in a professional kitchen. Creativity here is important, but it’s usually limited by strict time pressure, customer expectations and the need for consistency. Chefs often have to balance originality with practicality, which can be quite challenging.

In contrast, the third picture shows an artist working on a large mural. In this situation, creativity is absolutely essential because the whole purpose of the activity is to express ideas and emotions visually. However, it can also be demanding because inspiration doesn’t always come easily, and working on such a large piece might require a lot of patience and concentration.

Overall, creativity plays a role in both situations, but it’s used in very different ways and under very different conditions.

👉 Pregunta a Candidate B:

Which situation do you think requires more creativity?

CANDIDATE B 

I’d say the artist needs more creativity because the whole project depends on producing something original. The chefs also need creative ideas, but their environment is more structured, so there’s less freedom.

PART 2 

(Set 2: Work Places)

Pregunta del examinador:

Why might the people enjoy working in these different places?
What difficulties might they have?

Imágenes:

1. Limpiacristales en una fachada
2. Personas alimentando orangutanes en la selva
3. Oficina grande con ordenadores

CANDIDATE B — 1 min

I’m going to talk about the first and second pictures.

In the first photo, the window cleaners might enjoy the physical aspect of their job and the fact that they work outdoors. They probably get good views and don’t have to sit at a desk all day. However, it can be extremely risky and requires a lot of concentration to avoid accidents.

In the second picture, the people feeding orangutans seem to be working in a natural reserve or a wildlife centre. They might enjoy being close to animals and contributing to conservation projects. It looks very rewarding, but also physically demanding and potentially dangerous, especially when dealing with unpredictable animals or difficult weather conditions.

Both jobs offer meaningful experiences, but they come with challenges that not everyone would be comfortable with.

👉 Pregunta a Candidate A:

Which job do you think would be more enjoyable?

CANDIDATE A 

I think working with animals would be more enjoyable because it feels more meaningful, even if it’s harder. The connection you build with nature and wildlife is quite special.

PART 3 (2 min + 1 min) 

Pregunta del examinador:
Here are some ideas about ways to stay physically active. Talk together about how effective these ways might be, and then decide which one would be the most beneficial for most people. 

Opciones: 

• Setting personal fitness goals
• Joining a gym or sports club
• Walking or cycling to work
• Participating in outdoor activities
• Following online exercise classes

DISCUSSION – CANDIDATE A & B  

Candidate A: 

Why don’t we start with joining a gym or a sports club? I think it’s quite effective because people feel more motivated when they exercise in a structured environment. There’s also professional guidance, which makes it easier to progress safely. 

Candidate B: 

Yes, I agree, although it can be expensive and some people lose motivation quickly if they don’t enjoy indoor workouts. Walking or cycling to work, on the other hand, is effortless in the sense that it becomes part of your daily routine. You don’t need to find extra time for it. 

Candidate A: 

That’s true. And it’s also a good option for people who struggle to commit to scheduled exercise. What about setting personal fitness goals? I think goals can be very motivating because you can track your improvement, but they only work if people are disciplined. 

Candidate B: 

Exactly. Some people set very ambitious goals and then give up. Participating in outdoor activities might be more enjoyable for many people, though, because it combines exercise with fresh air and nature, which can be very motivating. 

Candidate A: 

Yes, outdoor activities feel less like “exercise” and more like a hobby. And what about online exercise classes? They became really popular during the pandemic because you can do them at home, which is convenient, but I think they require a lot of self-discipline. 

Candidate B: 

I agree. They’re great for flexibility, but without someone supervising you, it’s easy to lose motivation or do the exercises incorrectly. 

DECISION 

Candidate A: 

So, which option do you think would be the most beneficial for most people? 

Candidate B: 

I’d say walking or cycling to work, because it’s easy to integrate into your daily routine and doesn’t require extra time, money or special equipment. 

Candidate A: 

Yes, I agree. It’s sustainable, accessible to almost everyone, and promotes long-term habits. So that seems like the best overall option.