Cambridge English - Cambridge English: First and Advanced Changes in 2015
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Transcript of Cambridge English - Cambridge English: First and Advanced Changes in 2015
Changes to Cambridge English: First and Advanced (2015)
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 2
Aims of the 2015 update:
To ensure the updated examinations:
are suitable for use for further education study purposes
are suitable for use for higher education foundation or pathway courses
are suitable for use for work or career enhancement purposes
retain appropriate and specific testing focuses for each paper and ensure that the
skills in each paper are well balanced
are thoroughly validated and reflects the most up-to-date methodological approach to
communicative language testing
are more user-friendly in terms of its length
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 3
Handout 1: Task types
Below are descriptions of the task types in the Cambridge English: First Reading and
Use of English paper. Match the descriptions of the task types in Section A with the
question rubrics in Section B taken from a Cambridge English: First for Schools
paper.
SECTION A
Part 1
A modified cloze test containing eight gaps followed by eight sets of multiple-choice
options.
Part 2
A modified cloze test containing eight gaps.
Part 3
A text containing eight gaps. Each gap corresponds to a word. The stem of the
missing word is given beside the text and must be changed to form the missing word.
Part 4
Six separate questions, each with a lead-in sentence and a gapped second sentence
to be completed in two to five words, one of which is a given ‘key’ word.
Part 5
A text followed by six 4-option multiple-choice questions.
Part 6
A text from which six sentences have been removed and placed in jumbled order,
together with an additional sentence, after the text.
Part 7
A text or several short texts, preceded by 10 multiple-matching questions.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 4
SECTION B
TASK A
Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example (0): Skilful
TASK B
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).
TASK C
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 5
TASK D
TASK E
TASK F
TASK G
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 6
A typical way to tackle multiple-choice questions
Read the text quickly for gist.
Read the questions (but not the options).
Look for the answers to the questions in the text.
Number the area where each answer is found.
(This is especially useful when you are unable to find one answer because the
answers are given in order.)
Choose the correct answer.
Check your work.
A typical way to tackle word formation questions
Read the title of the text.
Read the text quickly for gist.
Read the sentence around the gap (i.e. both before and after).
Work out the type of word needed (i.e. noun, verb, adjective, etc.).
Change the stem word given into this form.
Check if additional changes are needed, i.e. does it need to
be singular or plural, positive or negative?
Re-read the whole sentence to make sure that the word fits.
Check the wider context for reference.
When you have completed the task, re-read the whole text.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 7
Handout 2: Advanced Reading and Use of English
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 8
Classroom activity: Prove your point
Timing 10–15 minutes
Materials worksheet: Prove your point (cut up into A, B, C and D sections)
Rationale This activity is aimed at providing an alternative way to work with
multiple-choice questions.
Procedure
1. Prior to the lesson, choose a text with 4-option multiple-choice questions (see
worksheet: Prove your point as an example).
2. Prepare four versions of the text. Version 1 has only option A for each question.
Version 2 has only option B for each question. Version 3 has only option C for
each question. Version 4 has only option D for each question. So if there are
six questions for your chosen text, each version would have these same six
questions with one ‘option’ answer for each one.
3. Divide students into groups of four. Students in each group should be numbered
from A to D and given the text and corresponding multiple-choice option.
4. Ask students to read the text individually and decide if their multiple-choice option
is correct or incorrect. They should highlight their ‘proof’ in the text, i.e. the part of
the text that shows their option to be correct or incorrect, where possible. If there
is nothing in the text that proves that their answer is correct or incorrect, then they
should state that the proof is ‘not given’. Allow 5 minutes for this stage.
5. Tell groups to now compare their answers, proving themselves correct. Where
there are differences they should refer to the proof they have found in the text.
(See key to worksheet: Prove your point, below.)
Key (worksheet)
31) C – It is only completely cut off at certain times.
32) D – His son’s arrival is one event he will take time off for.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 9
Worksheet: Prove your point
Student A
For each question read your option and decide whether it’s correct or incorrect. If it’s
correct, find the proof in the text that shows it’s correct. If it’s incorrect, find proof in
the text that it’s not correct, if possible, or state that there’s no proof given.
31) In the first paragraph, what is Caitlin’s main point about the island?
A It can be dangerous to try to cross from the mainland.
32) What does Caitlin suggest about her father?
A His writing prevents him from doing things he wants to with his family.
Student B
For each question read your option and decide whether it’s correct or incorrect. If it’s
correct, find the proof in the text that shows it’s correct. If it’s incorrect, find proof in
the text that it’s not correct, if possible, or state that there’s no proof given.
31) In the first paragraph, what is Caitlin’s main point about the island?
B It is much smaller than it looks from the mainland.
32) What does Caitlin suggest about her father?
B His initial reaction to his son’s request is different from usual.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 10
Student C
For each question read your option and decide whether it’s correct or incorrect. If it’s
correct, find the proof in the text that shows it’s correct. If it’s incorrect, find proof in
the text that it’s not correct, if possible, or state that there’s no proof given.
31) In the first paragraph, what is Caitlin’s main point about the island?
C It is only completely cut off at certain times.
32) What does Caitlin suggest about her father?
C His true feelings are easily hidden from his daughter.
Student D
For each question read your option and decide whether it’s correct or incorrect. If it’s
correct, find the proof in the text that shows it’s correct. If it’s incorrect, find proof in
the text that it’s not correct, if possible, or state that there’s no proof given.
31) In the first paragraph, what is Caitlin’s main point about the island?
D It can be a difficult place for people to live in.
32) What does Caitlin suggest about her father?
D His son’s arrival is one event he will take time off for.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 11
Classroom activity: Odd one out
Timing 10 minutes
Materials five sets of three words, with one word from each set being incorrect
or ‘made up’ (see examples below)
Rationale This activity is a fun way to work with affixation, which raises
awareness of possible suffixes and prefixes.
Procedure
1. Prior to the activity, prepare five sets of three words with the same root but
different suffixes and/or affixes (see examples below), making sure one word
from each set is incorrect. Please note that the incorrect word is underlined and
the root is given in parenthesis:
misleading/leadership/illeadable (lead)
collection/miscollected/collectable (collect)
unsensible/senseless/sensational (sense)
soften/software/softliness (soft)
takeaway/takingly/take-off (take)
2. Dictate the sets of words. (Alternatively, the words can be written on the board.)
3. Ask students to write down all the words and then, working in pairs, to discuss
which ones they think are the real words and which one they think is invented.
4. Allow 2 or 3 minutes for discussion then feedback as a whole class.
5. Students can be encouraged to look up the words in a dictionary and then record
any new words in their vocabulary books.
Follow up
Students investigate more words with the same roots, creating mind maps for each
word, or keeping a list of affixes.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 12
Classroom activity: Multiple-choice key word transformation
Timing 5 minutes
Materials worksheet: Multiple-choice key word transformation
Rationale This activity offers an alternative way to work with key word
transformation tasks.
Procedure
1. Prior to the activity prepare multiple-choice options based on a key word
transformation exercise. (See worksheet: Multiple-choice key word
transformation as an example.)
2. In class give a copy of these sentences to each student to answer individually.
Once completed, ask students to review their answers in pairs and then as a
whole group (see key to worksheet, below).
Key to worksheet
1) b – because of the preposition to before the museum
2) a – because the meaning is closer to that of the original sentence
3) a –because (b) doesn’t use the given word
4) b –because (a) creates a change of subject
5) b – grammatical collocation (would rather + bare infinitive).
Follow up
Create a list of tips related to this part of the exam, such as:
1. Use the given word.
2. Use the correct number of words in the spaces (2–5).
3. Make sure the grammar is correct before and after the gap.
4. Keep the meaning of the two sentences as similar as possible.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 13
Worksheet: Multiple-choice key word transformation
Decide whether option (a) or (b) is the correct option to complete each sentence.
Say why your choice is correct and why the other is not.
1) Joan was in favour of visiting the museum.
IDEA
Joan thought it would be ____________________ to the museum.
a) a good idea to visit
b) a good idea to go
2) Arthur has the talent to become a concert pianist.
THAT
Arthur is so ____________________ could become a concert pianist.
a) talented that he
b) determined that he
3) ‘Do you know when the match starts, Sally?’ asked Mary.
IF
Mary asked Sally ____________________ time the match started.
a) if she knew what
b) whether she knew what
4) Everyone says that the band is planning to go on a world tour next year.
SAID
The band ________________________ planning to go on a world tour next
year.
a) said it was
b) is said to be
5) I’d prefer not to cancel the meeting.
CALL
I’d rather _____________________________________ the meeting.
a) not to call off
b) not call off
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 14
Handout: Texts A–D
Text A
Text B
Text C
Text D
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 15
Handout: Classroom activity: Group reading
Timing 20–25 minutes
Materials Part 6 texts A–D, cut into separate texts (one text per learner)
Rationale By dividing the four texts, the initial reading load is reduced and
teachers can focus students on how they should approach the task, by
skimming the texts and getting an idea of the general meaning, before
focusing on each question in turn and comparing across the texts.
This type of activity also adds a speaking and peer review element to
a reading task.
Procedure
3. Divide learners into four groups. Ask each group to briefly discuss the
question: Can architecture make you happy? Allow 2–3 minutes for this.
4. Label each group A, B, C and D. Tell them that each group is going to read a
short review of a book on architecture by Alain de Botton. Give out handout:
Texts A–D, cut into separate texts. Group A gets copies of text A, group B
gets copies of text B, and so on.
5. Ask each group to read their text quickly and to answer these questions:
Is this a positive or negative review of the book?
What opinion is expressed about the book?
Is any particular aspect of the book mentioned?
Learners must then compare their ideas within their groups.
6. Give each learner in each group a number, starting from 1 each time. Tell all
the 1’s to get together, all the 2’s, and so on, so that there are four learners in
each new group, one A, one B, one C and one D. Any ‘extras’ can be added
randomly to existing groups. Ask them to briefly summarise their texts to their
new group.
7. Give out or show the Part 6 questions (see below). Ask learners to work in
their groups of four to answer the questions (allow 6–8 minutes).
8. Take feedback in plenary (see key to step 6, below), discussing any
strategies or learners’ questions or observations.
Part 6 questions (step 5)
37) Which reviewer has a different opinion from the others on the confidence with
which Alain de Botton discusses architecture?
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 16
38) What is reviewer B’s opinion of the significance of de Botton’s book? Which other
text shares the same opinion?
39) Which reviewer expresses a different view from the others regarding the extent to
which architects share de Botton’s concerns?
40) What is reviewer C’s view of the originality of de Botton’s work? Which other text
shares the same view?
Key (step 6)
37) B
38) D
39) C
40) B
The full Part 6 task can be found in Cambridge English: Advanced specifications
(SSP):
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/advanced/exam-update-
for-2015/
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 17
Handout 5: First Task types
Work with a partner to match the task types below to their definitions.
Task types
5. Article
6. Email/letter
7. Essay
8. Report
9. Review
Definitions
1) The main purpose is to interest and engage the reader, so there should be some
opinion or comment.
2) It’s usually written for a teacher, and should discuss different opinions or ideas.
It should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion
and should be written in an appropriate register and tone.
3) The response always addresses a defined situation and should be consistently
appropriate in register and tone for the specified target reader (English-speaking
friend, potential employer, magazine editor, etc.). This means they may be
informal or formal.
4) Description and explanation are key functions for this task. It will normally include
a recommendation to the reader.
5) Candidates are expected to give some factual information and make suggestions
or recommendations. It should be clearly organised and may include headings.
First for Schools Set text for January 2015 - December 2016:
Rosemary Sutcliff: The Eagle of the Ninth (Oxford bookworms edition)
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 18
Handout 6: Linking words and useful expressions for essay writing
Put the following linking words and expressions into the correct column:
1) In order to decide whether to .... or not
2) Firstly/secondly/finally/eventually
3) Besides/moreover/furthermore
4) Similarly
5) To consider the advantages and disadvantages
6) The reason why
7) Last but not least
8) In spite of/despite
9) Whereas
Introduce new ideas
Add information
Comparison Weigh up arguments
Contrast Give reasons
Conclude
first of all
in addition
to/additionally
compared
to/in
comparison
with
on the one
hand ... on
the other
hand
nevertheless
in
conclusion/to
conclude
to draw/make
a comparison
between ...
and
however
for some
reason or
another
to sum up/to
summarise
we can say
to begin with
above all arguments for
and against
though
to outline the
main points
as well as
to discuss the
pros and
cons
although/
even though
I have every
reason to
believe that
finally
in theory ... in
reality
the reason for
this is
not only ...
but also
on the
contrary
as/since
in
fact/actually/
as a matter of
fact
in contrast to
because/
because of
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 19
Handout 7: What’s the task type?
Task 1
Which task type do the following extracts come from? Choose from:
Report Essay Article Informal letter/email Review Formal letter
1) In conclusion, testing on animals is not necessary nowadays.
2) Although reactions were mixed, on the whole students agreed that the term
should finish in May.
3) I recently went to the cinema to see a film. It was the best film I have ever seen.
4) If you try this sport you won’t regret it, so what are you waiting for?
5) I’m sorry for not answering before Tom, but I’ve been very busy with my studies.
6) Twenty-five per cent of the students interviewed prefer eating in the school
canteen to eating at restaurants.
7) The reason for my writing is to apply for the job I saw advertised.
8) Best wishes, Anne
9) The story was thrilling and the characters came alive as soon as you started
reading.
10) Have you ever thought about flying like a bird? Surely most of us have? The good
news is that flying is no longer impossible for simple human beings as we are.
The key word is Paragliding.
11) Yours sincerely, Mrs Lancaster
12) It’s easy to claim that country life is better than city life, but a balanced approach
must take in both sides.
Task 2
Below are the plans and structures needed for different task types. Read the plans
and structures and decide whether the information refers to:
A) Articles B) Letters/emails C) Reports D) Reviews
1) Students need to work on planning and structure:
Catchy title and ways of engaging the reader
Generally four paragraphs (Introduction; Main body; Conclusion)
Useful expressions and appropriate neutral language
Vocabulary, expressions and linkers for describing, expressing opinion
and giving examples.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 20
2) Students need to work on planning and structure:
Style neutral/informal
Catchy title and ways of engaging the reader
Four paragraphs (introduction: relaxed and friendly; main body: detail;
conclusion: summary and opinion)
Useful expressions and appropriate neutral language
Language for describing and expressing opinions, likes and dislikes
Specific vocabulary on topic.
3) Students need to work on planning and structure:
Formal style
Four paragraphs (Introduction; Main body; Conclusion)
Informative title and headings
Formal language, passive voice, etc.
Impersonal, no opinion
Language for making recommendations and suggestions.
4) Students need to work on planning and structure:
Language for: expressing enthusiasm, requesting and giving information,
explaining, apologising, thanking, suggesting and expressing preferences
Candidates assess register and language required from tone of input material
Formal/informal language
Appropriate opening and closing strategies.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 21
Handout 8: Part 1 task
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 22
Handout 9: Sample Part 1 answer
Nowadays, many facilities could use money from local authorities. There are people
who claim that cultural institutions should receive more money than other
facilities. But which ones should receive more investment is open to debate.
On the one hand, museums should be the institutions that need to receive a lot of
money because people have lost the interest in visiting and promoting them. In a
world where true values are not respected as they should be, it is important to
remember what really matters. Moreover, the young men should be aware of the
importance of knowing basic things in different domains. For example, science and
history museums provide people very interesting informations. Therefore, in order
to have well-informed teenagers, the local authorities should give money to
museums. With that money, it can be organised events like the day of open
museums.
On the other hand, green spaces should also receive money from local authorities.
Mainly because in big cities, where the air is very polluted trees can absorb many
of the gases produced leading to a much healthier environment. Furthermore,
there can be built spaces for kids to play and also running tracks for people who
cannot afford to go to gym. It is important for people to keep doing exercises in
open air and in my opinion, parks are the best place.
All in all, as far as I am concerned the most important facility that should receive
investment from local authority are the museums.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 23
Classroom activities for Cambridge English: First Speaking
Classroom activity: Know your friend
Timing 20–30 minutes, depending on the number of students in class
Materials worksheet: Know your friend
Rationale This relates to Part 1 of the Speaking test. Students practise
answering personal questions about themselves and others, and are
encouraged to use some complex grammatical forms and a range of
appropriate vocabulary.
Procedure
9. Give each student a copy of the worksheet: Know your friend and allow them
2 minutes to read the questions.
10. Ask one student to go outside the classroom for a few minutes while his/her
companions are asked questions about him/her.
11. The teacher selects five questions from the worksheet to ask the remaining
students about their companion. They must try and use extended answers with
some complex grammar (subordination, passives, infinitives, tense contrasts,
etc.) and a range of vocabulary, if possible. The teacher or a nominated student
may take notes of the answers given (see suggested key, below).
12. The student is asked to return and is asked the same questions. This time he/she
should answer and add an extra comment to the answer, e.g. I have been living
here for 10 years but I used to live in Madrid. Again, complex grammar and a
range of vocabulary should be encouraged. Students see how many answers
were correct and how well they know their friend.
13. This activity can be continued with other students leaving the room and varying
the questions.
14. Feedback can be conducted by asking students to comment on grammar and
vocabulary used and ways that they could improve on the answers by extending
or using more complex grammar and vocabulary.
Suggested key
1) He has been living in …............... for …......... years.
2) He has been studying English since …..........
3) His mother was born in …............
4) He likes spending time …................ (because ....................)
5) He would like to be a/an .......................
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 24
6) He would …........................................ if he won the lottery.
7) He enjoys listening to ….............................
8) He enjoys watching ...................................
9) He’s going to ….................. next weekend.
10) He’s going to .................... for the holidays
11) He will be ….................................... this time next year.
12) He would like to get to know ....................... better (because ....................)
13) He has visited ……………………
14) He has recently seen a programme called ...........................
15) He regularly uses a website called ................................
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 25
Worksheet: Know your friend
How well do you know your fellow students? Try answering some of the questions
below to find out!
1) How long has (X) been living in …..... (city)?
2) How long has (X) been studying English?
3) Where was (X)’s mother/father born?
4) Does (X) like spending time on his/her own or with other people?
5) What job would (X) like to do in the future?
6) What would (X) do if he/she won the lottery?
7) What sort of music does (X) enjoy listening to?
8) What sort of films does (X) enjoy watching?
9) What plans has (X) got for the weekend?
10) What plans has (X) got for the holidays?
11) What will (X) be doing this time next year?
12) Which country would (X) like to get to know better?
13) What’s the most interesting place (X) has visited in his/her country?
14) Tell us about a television programme (X) has seen recently.
15) Tell us about a website (X) uses regularly.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 26
Classroom activity: Board game
Timing 20–30 minutes, depending on the number of students in class
Materials worksheets: Board game; Board game cards (cut into cards); a die;
sticky tack; four different coloured counters; various sets of Part 2
photographs
Rationale This activity relates to Part 2 of the Speaking test. Students will
practise using discourse markers and cohesive devices, which they
often find hard to use naturally, in sentences about two photographs.
It makes them aware of using a variety of discourse markers and
cohesive devices rather than repeating the same ones. The board
game format helps increase their confidence in using these words
while playing a game as a team.
Procedure
15. Divide the class into four teams, each with a different coloured counter.
16. Stick or draw an enlarged board game (worksheet: Board game) at the front of
the class and place the four counters on the Start square using sticky tack. Stick
up a range of sets of Speaking Part 2 photographs so that everyone can see
them.
17. Place the Board game cards (cut up from the worksheet) in a pile at the front of
the class.
18. Ask a member of the first team to roll the die and pick a card. The team needs to
think of a sentence about the two photographs including this word (give them a
30-second time limit before sending their counter back to the beginning and
asking the next team).
19. Encourage the other teams to check that the word is used correctly.
20. The first team to reach the Finish wins.
Follow up
21. Each team can nominate one of its members to talk about one of the sets of
photographs for one complete minute, using comments and discourse
markers/cohesive devices that they have already practised.
22. Each team could talk for a minute about the photographs as a group, taking turns
to comment. This will give them an idea of how long a minute is!
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 27
Worksheet: Board game
START
1
2
3
Go forward two
FINISH
4
14
5
13
6
Go back to START
Miss a turn
12
7
11
10
Go back three
9
8
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 28
Worksheet: Board game cards
actually basically
I mean well
so therefore
as a result and another thing
moreover first
finally in addition
however on the other hand
while whereas
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 29
Classroom activity: Over to you!
Timing 20–30 minutes, depending on the number of students in class
Materials worksheet: Over to you!; screwed up ball of paper
Rationale This activity relates to Part 3 of the test. Students will practise
interacting with their peers, turn-taking, initiating and responding.
Particular emphasis will be placed on listening and commenting on
what their companion has said before offering another suggestion,
which is often forgotten in the exam. All students need to be alert and
listening in case the paper is thrown to them so that they can
comment and not repeat a suggestion that has already been made.
Procedure
23. The teacher reads out a situation from worksheet: Over to you! based on a
Part 3 activity.
24. The teacher then throws the paper to student A and says, ‘Over to you’.
25. Student A has to make a suggestion and then throw the paper to student B,
saying ‘What do you think?’
26. Student B comments on what Student A has said and then adds another
suggestion.
27. If a student forgets to make a comment or has no further suggestions, he/she is
eliminated. A new situation is given and the game starts again.
N.B. If the class is too lively to throw the paper, the game can also be played by
students calling out a name to comment and make a further suggestion. Give less
confident students some time to brainstorm or note down some suggestions for the
situation before throwing the paper to one of them.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 30
Worksheet: Over to you!
Offer some suggestions for the following scenarios. Try to use the expressions given.
A local shopping centre wants to attract more people. What would attract them most?
An international hotel is looking for holiday staff. Which job would be the most suitable for a
student?
A town wants to become more attractive for tourists. What could it do?
A college wants to produce a magazine for students. Which topics would be the most interesting
to include?
Some friends want to help protect the environment. What is the best thing they could do?
A newspaper is writing an article about noise pollution. Which noise annoys people the most?
A university is organising some after-school clubs to encourage new students to make friends.
Which clubs would be most popular?
A television channel is making a programme about the most useful inventions in the 20th century.
Which inventions should it include?
A mobile phone company wants to improve its most useful feature. What should it improve?
A young couple has just won a competition and can visit any country in the world. Where should
they go?
A small country town is celebrating a summer fair. What events should it offer for all the family?
A newspaper is writing an article entitled Life was easier in the past. Which are the most important
points to include?
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 31
Handout 13: Useful expressions
Making suggestions Agreeing and disagreeing
Why don’t they ...
In my opinion the best
idea would be ...
They should/
shouldn’t ...
How about .........ing
I agree
I disagree
I don’t entirely agree because ...
I see your point but ...
I agree to a certain extent but ...
I agree up to a point but ...
That’s true but ...
I see what you’re saying but ...
Exactly
I couldn’t agree more
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 32
Handout 14: Advanced Speaking Part 3
Task 21
Interlocutor script
Interlocutor: Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about 2 minutes
(3 minutes for groups of three).
Here are some things that people often have to make decisions
about and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to
look at the task.
Place Part 3 booklet, open at Task 21, in front of the candidates.
Allow 15 seconds.
Now, talk to each other about what people might have to consider
when making these decisions.
Candidates:
2 minutes
(3 minutes
for groups
of three)
……………………………………………………………………………..
Interlocutor: Thank you. Now you have about a minute (2 minutes for groups of
three) to decide in which situation it is most important to make
the right decision.
Candidates:
1 minute
(2 minutes
for groups
of three)
……………………………………………………………………………..
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: ADVANCED AND FIRST UPDATE FOR 2015 33
Useful links
1. Main Cambridge website:
www.Cambridgeenglish.org
2. Links to updated information:
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/first/exam-update-for-
2015/
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/first-for-schools/exam-
update-for-2015/
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/advanced/exam-update-
for-2015/
https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/
2. Access to teaching blog:
www.TeachingTogether-CambridgeEnglish.blogspot.com
3. Courses and information:
www.CambridgeEnglishTeacher.org
4. Teaching resources:
www.cambridgeenglish.org/teach
Here you can find the link to handbooks, sample papers, listening recordings, etc.