certificate!of!proficiency!in!english… · ... !proficiency,!also!known!as!cpe!(certificate!of!...

Raquel Fraile Muñoz

Pablo Tagarro Melón

CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH: A MOCK SPEAKING

PROPOSAL

The aim of this proposal is to provide both students and teachers with a mock

speaking test of the Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as CPE (Certificate of

Proficiency in English). For the elaboration of this proposal we have followed the

standards set by Cambridge ESOL.

Part 1 (2 minutes/3 minutes for groups of three)

Interlocutor: Good morning/afternoon/evening. My name is ………… and this is my

colleague ………… And your names are …………?

Thank you.

First of all, we’d like to know something about you.

Where are you from, (Candidate A), and you, (Candidate B)?

[address Candidate B] Are your working or studying at the moment?

[address Candidate A] And you?

Select a further question for each candidate:

• Why do you think English is worth learning nowadays?

• Would you like to study a degree at a foreign university? Why?

• Do you prefer part-‐time or full-‐time work?

• Would you like to live in a foreign country in the future?

• Would you rather live alone or with your parents?

• What are your main strengths and weaknesses?

Candidate: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Interlocutor: Thank you.



2

Part 2 (approximately 4 minutes/6 minutes for groups of three)

Interlocutor: Now, in this part of the test you are going to do something together.

Here are some pictures taken by a couple in Berlin.

Place pictures sheet located at the end of the test in front of the

candidates to look at 1 and 3.

First, I would like to look at pictures 1 and 3 and talk together about

what possible stories might be happening behind the scenes.

You have about a minute for this, so don’t worry if I interrupt you. (2

minutes for groups of three).

Candidates:

1 minute

(2 minutes for

groups of three) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Interlocutor: Thank you. Now look at all the pictures.

I’d like you to imagine that you are a tour guide of one of these cities

and you have to present and describe some of these monuments to the

visitors.

Talk together about the effects that these monuments have on these

cities in particular and the world in general.

You have about three minutes to talk about this. (4 minutes for groups

of three)

Candidates:

3 minute

(4 minutes for

groups of three) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Interlocutor: Thank you. Retrieve picture sheet.



3

Part 3 (approximately 10 minutes)

Interlocutor: Now, in this part of the test you’re each going to talk on your own for

about two minutes. You need to listen while your partner is speaking

because you’ll be asked to comment afterwards.

So, (Candidate A), I’m going to give you a card with a question written

on it and I’d like you to tell us what you think. There are also some ideas

on the card for you to use if you like.

All right? Here is your card, and a copy for you (Candidate B).

Hand over a copy of prompt card 1a for both candidates.

Remember (Candidate A), you have about two minutes to talk before

we join in.

[Allow up to 10 seconds before saying, if necessary: Would you like to

begin now?).

Candidate A: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(2 minutes)


Interlocutor: Ask one of the following questions to Candidate B:

• Do you think that a leader should be self-‐confident?

• What values would you appreciate in a leader?

• Should an enterprise establish the different roles between leaders

and employees?

Candidates:

1 minute ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Invite Candidate A to join by selecting one of the following prompts:

• What do you think?

• Do you agree?

• How about you?



4

Interlocutor: Thank you. Retrieve Cards.

Interlocutor: Now (Candidate B), it is your turn to be given a question. Here is your

card, and a copy for you (Candidate A).

Hand over a copy of prompt card 1b to both candidates.

Remember (Candidate B), you have about two minutes to tell us what

you think, and there are some ideas on the card for you to use if you

like. All right?

[Allow up to 10 seconds before saying, if necessary: Would you like to

begin now?]

Candidate B:

2 minutes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..


Interlocutor: Ask for one of the following questions to Candidate A:

• What are the values you appreciate in other people?

• Do other people have an effect on a person’s behaviour?

• Do you change your behaviour depending on the situation in which

you are involved?

Candidates:

1 minute ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Interlocutor: Thank you. Retrieve Cards.

Interlocutor: Now, to finish the test, we’re going to talk about ‘travelling’.

Address a selection of the following questions to both candidates:

• Why do some people believe that travelling is a way of life?

Invite Candidate B to join by selecting one of the following prompts:

• What do you think?

• Do you agree?

• How about you?



5

• Why are exotic trips becoming popular nowadays?

• How important is it to travel in a job?

• In what instances should young people receive scholarships for

travelling abroad? ……… (Why / Why not)

• For what reasons do people travel the world?

Candidates:

Up to 4 minutes……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Interlocutor: Thank you. That is the end of the test.

References

Cambridge ESOL (2001): Certificate of Proficiency in English 1. Cambridge:

Cambridge UP.


Cambridge UP.


Cambridge UP.


Cambridge UP.


Cambridge UP.

Cambridge ESOL (2012): Cambridge English: Proficiency 1. Cambridge:

Cambridge UP.

Cambridge ESOL (2015): Cambridge English: Proficiency 2. Cambridge:

Cambridge UP.



6

Picture 1

Picture 2



7

Picture 3

Picture 4



8

Picture 5

How does self-‐confidence affect your personal life?

• Friends

• Academic life

• Success

Prompt card 1a

Prompt card 1b

How can emotions and attitudes from other people influence your life?

• Social life

• Family

• Personal life

certificate!of!proficiency!in!english… · ... !proficiency,!also!known!as!cpe!(certificate!of!...

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