English as a Second Language
Listening and speaking — Papers 2-3
- 1.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘The museum tour begins at ten, not at the main entrance as printed, but beside the café. Please bring your booking email.’ Which option does the speaker correct, and what extra instruction is added? A: start time; B: meeting place; C: ticket price; D: guide's name.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 2.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘I nearly cancelled the hike when the forecast changed, but the clouds cleared just as we reached the valley. I was glad I had packed the waterproof jacket anyway.’ What was the speaker initially worried about, and how did the weather actually develop?
[2 marks] · no calculator - 3.
Speaking preparation: Give a short talk about a useful skill young people should learn outside school. Explain the skill, how it can be learned, and why it matters.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 4.
Speaking preparation: ‘Public transport should be free for students.’ Discuss one benefit, one practical difficulty, and your overall view.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 5.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘The train to the city centre now leaves from platform 4, not platform 2. The 9 o'clock service has also been delayed by fifteen minutes.’ Identify the platform change and the delay.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘I was going to walk to work, but the sky looked grey, so I decided to take the bus instead. Good thing I did — it started raining five minutes later.’ Why did the speaker decide to take the bus?
[2 marks] · no calculator - 7.
Speaking preparation: Give a short talk about a place you would like to visit one day. Explain where it is, why you want to go there, and what you would like to do there.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 8.
Speaking preparation: Your partner says, ‘I think students should be allowed to use their phones in class for schoolwork.’ Respond with your own opinion and give one reason.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 9.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘Don't forget the meeting has moved from Room 3 to Room 5, and it now starts at 2:30 instead of 2:00.’ Identify the new room and the new start time.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 10.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘I packed an umbrella just in case, but I didn't need it in the end — we had a lovely sunny afternoon.’ What had the speaker expected, and what actually happened?
[2 marks] · no calculator - 11.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘The gym is closed for cleaning this morning, but the pool and the café are both open as usual.’ Which facility is closed? A The gym B The pool C The café D All three
[1 mark] · no calculator - 12.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘Please collect your tickets from the main desk, not the side entrance, from 6 pm onwards.’ Identify where tickets should be collected and from what time.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 13.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘I usually take the early train, but today the platform was so crowded that I decided to wait for the next one.’ Why did the speaker wait for a later train?
[2 marks] · no calculator - 14.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘The workshop is free for students, but costs $10 for everyone else.’ Identify who can attend for free.
[1 mark] · no calculator - 15.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘I'd booked a window seat, but when I got on the plane, someone was already sitting there, so I took the aisle seat instead.’ Where did the speaker originally want to sit? A Aisle seat B Window seat C Middle seat D Standing
[1 mark] · no calculator - 16.
Transcript-based rehearsal: ‘The concert tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 am online, and in person at the box office from midday.’ Identify the two ways tickets can be bought, and when each becomes available.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 17.
Speaking preparation: Give a short talk about your favourite season of the year. Explain which season you prefer, and why.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 18.
Speaking preparation: Describe a skill you would like to learn in the future, and explain how you would go about learning it.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 19.
Speaking preparation: ‘Everyone should learn to cook basic meals before leaving home.’ Discuss one reason you agree, one possible difficulty, and your overall opinion.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 20.
Speaking preparation: Your partner says, ‘I think it's better to study alone than in a group.’ Respond with your own opinion and give one reason.
[3 marks] · no calculator