Part 1: Introduction and Interview Common Questions
Common examiner questions in this section often revolve around:
- Home/Accommodation
- Work/Study
- Family/Friends
- Hobbies/Free time
Let’s analyze a sample question and response:
Question: “Tell me about where you live.”
Band 6-7 Response:
“I live in an apartment in the city center. It’s quite convenient because it’s close to my workplace and there are many shops nearby.”
Band 8-9 Response:
“I currently reside in a spacious three-bedroom apartment in the heart of the metropolitan area. What I particularly appreciate about my location is its proximity to various amenities, including cultural venues and fine dining establishments.”
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Sample Cue Card:
Describe a skill you would like to learn
You should say:
- What the skill is
- Why you want to learn it
- How you would learn it
- And explain how this skill would be useful for your future
Sample Responses:
Band 6-7:
“I’d like to learn digital marketing. I think it’s really important nowadays because everything is online. I would probably take some online courses and practice with my own social media accounts. This skill would be useful for my career because many companies need people who understand digital marketing.”
Band 8-9:
“I’m particularly keen on acquiring expertise in digital marketing, specifically in data analytics and content strategy. The rapidly evolving digital landscape has made it imperative for professionals to understand these concepts. I plan to undertake a comprehensive certification program from a renowned institution and complement it with hands-on experience through internships. This skill would undoubtedly enhance my career prospects and enable me to make data-driven decisions in my future endeavors.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Question: “How do you think the way people learn new skills will change in the future?”
Band 6-7:
“I think people will learn more skills online in the future. Virtual reality might make learning more interesting, and people can learn at their own pace. It’s becoming more common to learn through smartphones and apps.”
Band 8-9:
“The landscape of skill acquisition is likely to undergo a paradigm shift with the integration of artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies. These cutting-edge tools will revolutionize the learning experience by providing immersive, personalized learning environments. Moreover, the traditional boundaries between formal education and self-directed learning will continue to blur, leading to more flexible and adaptive learning approaches.”
Essential Vocabulary and Expressions for High Scores
Advanced Expressions:
- Paradigm shift (n) /ˈpærəˌdaɪm ʃɪft/
- Definition: A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions
- Example: “The internet caused a paradigm shift in how we communicate.”
- Imperative (adj) /ɪmˈperətɪv/
- Definition: Of vital importance; crucial
- Example: “It’s imperative to develop digital skills in today’s job market.”
Examiner’s Tips:
- Practice speaking about various topics daily, recording yourself to identify areas for improvement
- Focus on using natural transitions between ideas
- Develop a bank of sophisticated vocabulary relevant to common topics
- Work on maintaining fluency without excessive hesitation
- Elaborate on your answers with relevant examples and personal experiences
Remember to support your responses with specific examples and maintain a natural speaking rhythm. The key to achieving a high band score lies in demonstrating both accuracy and fluency while using appropriate vocabulary and complex grammatical structures.